Reaching Young People for Jesus!

"The need to proclaim Christ boldly and courageously is a continuing priority for the Church; indeed it is a solemn duty laid upon her by Christ who enjoined the Apostles to 'go out to the whole world, proclaim the Good News to all creation.'" -Pope Benedict XVI, December 2007

Many young people do not know the basic Gospel message of Jesus Christ - either they have never heard it or it has never hit home in their personal lives. It is the duty as laid out for us by our Pope to share the gift we have received with everyone we encounter. Jesus said if we trust in Him and spread his message he is able to do "far more than we could ever ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20).

He is the same God of the Gospels, he can perform the same healing and miracles in and through His people as He did then - but we have to ask in faith! I went on a nine month Catholic evangelization trip around the US with NET ministries. I traveled on a team with 10 other young adults (ages 18-30) in a huge van with destinations to Churches and schools to perform retreats for high and middle schoolers. During that time I was able to see God work in ways I never thought possible, in my own life and the lives of the people I was ministering to.

I specifically remember one instance that may seem trivial but God worked in such an amazing way that I will never forget it. I was giving a talk on a retreat and I was nervous because I had just come back from a two day trip home for my friend's funeral, so I felt like I had nothing to give at that point. After my talk one of the high school girls asked if she could talk to me, she didn't know why but while I was talking she had this feeling that she could trust me and should share some things that were on her heart. She told me about how her father had died and she just wanted to know there was a father figure who loved her. After experiencing the loss of a friend my heart went out to her and we cried and prayed together for almost the rest of the retreat. When I left she thanked me, and I asked for what, and she said "for being there".

It's amazing how small situations can greatly impact our lives and the lives of people around us if we are just open to the healing power of Christ! A friend of mine, Danielle, shares in ChristLife's newest podcast about God's healing power in her brothers life. Also on this podcast is an interview with Mark Berchem and Christopher Kraker, the Director and Associate Director of NET ministries, and a news story about a man who was raised from the dead by the power of prayer! To listen to this podcast click here, or press play below: