Youth groups go ‘All In’ for faith and fellowship

By Heather Excell

‘Growing in relationship with God’ was the theme for the recent All In Youth Group, a collaboration between 24:7 Youth Ministry and the Office of Youth Evangelisation.

Young people from various parishes and youth groups around the state gathered together on Saturday 2 May for a large-scale youth group, including time for prayer, talks, and fellowship.

Director of Youth Evangelisation, Darcy Rogers, said the All In Youth Groups exists “to witness a shared faith”.

“Knowing you belong to something bigger is encouraging,” he said. “For young people, it strengthens their commitment to Jesus and to return to their youth groups with personal prayer and community goals.”

Throughout term one, the weekly 24:7 Youth Groups were centred around the theme of relationships, with the All In Youth Group concluding this focus.

The schedule for the day was designed to create opportunities for the young people to deepen their connection both with each other, and with God.

“We hoped the young people would have a powerful experience of community, getting to spend time with participants from other youth group locations and meeting new people,” said 24:7 Youth Minister, Eilidh Direen.

“We also wanted to give them an opportunity to identify a desire to grow in relationship with God, and to ask Him to answer that desire during the prayer time.”

The day began with icebreakers and activities helping the young people to get to know one another before moving into talks and discussion sessions. Leaders ran a range of games, while speakers reflected on how God can be encountered through the Sacraments, other people, prayer and silence.

Towards the end of the day, participants were offered a time of Eucharistic Adoration with praise music and the opportunity for the Sacrament of Confession.

Youth Minister, Ruby Prichard, said events like this offer young people “the chance to be taken out of their comfort zone by meeting new faces and having more people around. A chance to see that there are actually many young people interested in the faith.”

She said events like this also allow for more time to explore topics in greater depth than the regular weekly youth group, and give the young people the chance to build and strengthen friendships outside of their own youth groups.

Leaders hoped that young people would have a powerful experience of community and of the love of Christ.

“I was hoping they would take away the message that they are loved unconditionally, and that empowers and, in a way, demands a response, which is faithful surrender of our lives,” said Ruby. “Life is a gift, so we can cherish it, while also recognizing that we are made to give it back to the Lord.”

Young people aged between 12 and 18 who are interested in joining a youth group are invited to reach out to the Director of Youth Evangelisation, Darcy Rogers, on 0448 330 238. All are welcome!