The joy of youth ministry

The room is finally empty. You breathe out as you hear the last parent driving out the gate as the lights are switched off and the alarm is set.

There are many around South Africa who have been sent out to share Christ’s love with young people in our parishes, schools and youth groups: a mission we feel called to because God has changed our lives, or maybe because a youth leader impacted our lives when we were younger and we want to do the same, or maybe because we were asked to get involved.

There are numerous reasons why we give of our time to listen, care for, mentor and teach the faith. The countless hours preparing, setting up halls and youth rooms, making popcorn or pizza, giving lifts to deanery or parish events, working with young people in “youth ministry” or teaching, can be hard work.

But nothing beats the moment when you witness the light bulb come on as a teenager first “gets it”. That Jesus really loves them and forgives them. Or seeing a group who are on fire after their Confirmation—joyful and excited about their faith. To know God and teach in his name is such a privilege and can be such a joy.

Sure, working in youth groups and Catholic schools is hard work and does come with some inconvenient hours, but it’s also amazing and inspiring. Teachers and volunteers around the country can share stories of hope from the young members in our Church.

Jesus knew that ministering in his name would bring joy. He also knew that it would be tough and would require preparation. That’s why he spent time with those closest to him, in prayer and community, before they were sent out into the world.

Pope Paul VI said that “modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses”. Jesus knew that his disciples needed to be authentic witnesses to be effective. The same holds true for us. We’re the most fruitful in sharing God’s love with anyone when we know Christ’s love ourselves and it’s him doing the work through us.

The best thing youth leaders can do is to make sure they spend time in prayer with our God and growing in relationship with him before we do anything. Then we “need to be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks [us] for a reason for [our] hope” (1 Peter 3:15)

In February Catholic youth leaders from around South Africa will have the opportunity to spend time together growing in what it means to be authentic witnesses of Christ to young people. The first Catholic Youth Leaders Training Conference will be held in Durban from February 10-12 for all those involved in high school youth work—all priests, religious, youth ministers, leaders, volunteers, teachers, catechists and musicians are invited.

Organised by local youth leaders this event will see Catholic speakers from the Life Teen movement in the United States, including Randy Raus, president of Life Teen International, sharing how we can serve our young communities better.

A talented musician from the US will also be present on the weekend, to run a “musicians track” for band members. A number of priests have committed their support to the weekend’s focus of building up and inspiring youth leaders from all communities.

The weekend events will begin on Friday, February 10 with an evening of praise, worship, an inspiring talk, confession and adoration. All teenagers and interested adults are invited to attend. The leaders training conference will run on the Saturday and Sunday at Pinetown parish (visit www.sacyltc.co.za for information).

As we begin 2012, let’s pray for all hopeful witnesses beginning a new year of youth ministry and teaching this month in our parishes and communities. God is doing great things in our Church through so many people!