The power of youth in the church

As a small introduction of myself, I am the youth minister at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community here in Carson City. I have traveled for the last 22 years as a motivational speaker working with public and private schools in a variety of areas. I am a proud husband and the father of a 4-year-old, a 11⁄2-year-old and one on the way.

Our youth in this area constantly come to me with a variety of questions on their faith, morals etc. Several years ago a certain very outspoken young man approached me and asked "What can I do to strengthen my faith, I mean really build it?" As we talked, we developed some basic commitments for our youth to follow. As it turned out, not only did these commitments work for youth they also worked for me. Through the years I have introduced these commitments to people everywhere and it's been amazing. People love how simple they are but how powerful they can be.

Commitment #1 - WITNESS YOUR FAITH: We have all heard our religious leaders discuss the witness, but how many of us really put it into practice? Can we talk it and also walk it? Are we strong enough to talk to others about the love of Jesus Christ, and follow it with actions?

Several weeks ago I challenged our youth to pray during lunch at their schools, in public or private. I explained how so many people today are trying to take God out of our lives in so many ways and how we have the power to put him back in. Prayer is our freedom of speech and we have the God-given right to pray!

Never would I have imagined the impact this simple suggestion had. The youth prayed and they invited their friends to join them in prayer so not only are they talking it, they are putting their words into actions. They were, and are still, successful to this day. How many times do we have the opportunity to witness in so many areas of our lives. Think just for a minute how you can make the difference in the life of someone today just by your witness.

Commitment #2 READ YOUR BIBLE EVERYDAY FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES: The Bible is amazing. I challenge our young people everyday: Pick up your Bible, flip through it, pick a passage, read it, and pray about it. I encourage the youth to read for at least for 15 minutes, and they will be amazed how the Holy Spirit will guide and direct them. The youth come to me frequently asking for Bibles and they can't wait until I give them one.

Commitment #3 ADOPT A SOUL FOR CHRIST: We should encourage everyone to pray, pray, pray. Pray for others, focus on someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer is powerful. I encourage others to pray when things are great and not so great.

Commitment #4 ATTEND A WORSHIP SERVICE AN EXTRA DAY BESIDES SUNDAY: Most faith denomination's offer services throughout the week. Do we find the time to spend with Christ or do we make excuses?

Commitment #5 LOVE YOUR ENEMIES: Wow, love the people we do not like. Jesus asks this of us, but it's really difficult. I tell the teens to pray, day by day, for those they like the least, to love them as God asks and leave the rest to him.

Working the last 22 years with young people has shown me they are powerful and can make positive change if we allow them to. I encourage everyone to find that place in their heart and allow their relationship with CHRIST to grow. Amazing things will happen!

• Doug Stewart is the youth minister at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community.