 “What is needed today is a church which knows how to respond to the expectations of young people. Jesus wants to enter into dialogue with them and, through His body, which is the church, to propose the possibility of a choice, which will require a commitment of their lives. As Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus, so the church must become the traveling companion of young people…” (Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day 1995, Philippines) |
The church must become the traveling companion of young people – and that is what we mean by youth ministry. If, indeed, “it takes an entire village to raise a child,” then it certainly takes an entire church to journey with young people as they grapple with the Good News and respond in discipleship.