My Experience of Young Life Camp As a Catholic Adult Guest

This guest post was written by Hugo de la Rosa, a Catholic teacher and campus minister in the diocese of Brownsville, TX. Hugo and a delegation of other Catholic leaders from S. Texas, participated at a special YL-Catholic Adult Guest Program at Camp Buckner in February.

Twelve brave souls made a pilgrimage from the Diocese of Brownsville in the Rio Grande Valley (very bottom of South Texas) to Camp Buckner over Valentine’s Day weekend. We were invited at the request of Michael Havercamp and Bishop Daniel Flores, head of the over 1,000,000 Catholics who live in our area. Our goal was to experience a Young Life weekend camp as adult Catholic guests.

I’d never heard of Young Life before this invitation, so I was entering the experience with no preconceived notions of what to expect. We had the pleasure of meeting with Michael the morning of the weekend, and I drove over to the Camp with him; these were my initial impressions after those two conversations:

• Young Life’s stated mission is to intentionally & passionately reach kids at the margins – the unchurched, the ones who do not have an active connection to Jesus and his church (in whatever denominational flavor that happens to be; Young Life is non-sectarian and not focused on any one Christian tradition)
• This initiative to reach out to the Catholic Church goes hand in hand with Pope Francis’ desire for a new evangelization, using methods and steps that may be new, risky and messy; doing everything in a “missionary key,” going beyond the confines of what is safe and comfortable, reaching out to kids where they’re at
• It aims to tie kids back into their own faith traditions, or, as sometimes happens, have kids join the faith tradition of their adult leaders if no connection to another faith tradition exists
• The basic message of the Gospel is delivered in engaging, age-appropriate ways to help foster a response that ultimately leads the child to a relationship with Christ and his Church
• Young Life aims to bring young people to Christ through attraction, and only later will they receive appropriate catechetical / liturgical formation in their own faith traditions
• They aim to foster one on one relationship between adults (college age and up) and kids (middle school / high school / college)
• This relationship is fostered through one on one meetings, small group meetings, and weekly/monthly Club meetings
• Adult leaders will spend at least 4-6 hours each week with direct contact to their kids (visiting schools at lunch, attending extra-curricular activities, etc.)
• This investment of time and attention gives the adult leader the “right to be heard” in the child’s life – eventually leading to conversion experiences at weekend or week long camps (such as the one taking place this weekend)
• The Catholic Church, while being very good at sacramental and catechetical instruction, sometimes lacks in helping to foster a prayerful, direct relationship with Christ
• A partnership with Young Life can help bridge that gap
• Because much of Young Life is led by evangelical / non-denominational adults, having a Catholic presence (i.e. developing Catholic Young Life leaders) is crucial to leading Catholic students back to their parishes

The rest of the weekend bore out those initial impressions. I saw staff greeting teens with enthusiasm and genuine care, using music, costumes/personalities & humor to create an engaging and non-threatening environment for the campers. I saw leaders gathering together to plan and pray, intentionally choosing their teenage friends to be part of activities that would help bolster their self-esteem and bring them closer to God. I saw a definite Young Life culture that leaders and participants shared, bridging generational, cultural, denominational and economic differences.

At Club I saw youth and adults who were joyous and joyful. The music, games and antics started at a fast pace, eventually moving towards a short message that introduced elements of the Gospel to the gathered crowd. I then saw youth being led by their mentors for some reflection time. And then, most powerfully of all, I saw youth and adults spending free time together, playing games, and simply talking one on one or in small groups.

It strikes me that this goes to the heart of Catholic social teaching – leaders were engaging with these adolescents not as a ploy to “get them to church,” but because of their inherent worth and dignity as people lovingly hand-crafted by their Creator. Even if the gathered young people never grace the hallowed halls of a church building, they will have experienced the love of God through the love of their adult leader. While the end-game is eventual Church membership and church service / activity, even if that doesn’t happen we have still loved and served them as Jesus loves and serves us.

The specific charism of Young Life – reaching out to disenfranchised youth with no other purpose then to love them as they are; the no-pressure environment, the pre-evangelistic nature of it; the acceptance of meeting them where they’re at, going to their schools, going to their games, getting to know them; investing the time to “earn the right to be heard” (a phrase that I love!) – it sounds so very . . .Jesusy to me. J

I think that all of us came out of the experience with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the ministry that Young Life leaders are exercising all over the country. I came back humbled by the willingness of the staff and leaders to share with us as Catholic adults. I came back personally challenged to incorporate the culture of Young Life into my own ministry as a teacher and campus minister at a PK-8^th grade Catholic school. I came back energized and excited at the prospect of partnering with such a vibrant and obviously Christ-centered community.

I think that a partnership between Young Life and the Catholic Church (specifically in my area, but all over the country as well) has the potential to be life changing for both adults involved in ministry and the kids that are ministered to, and I’m grateful for the opportunity I have to be a small part of making that a reality.

Relational Ministry by Bob Lehleitner

God’s plan to save the world was to become flesh,

sending his Son to be among us and to give his life for us.

I did not grow up in a Christian home.  When my father was transferred to Kansas City, God sent people to reach out to me.  They loved me, encouraged me to go with them to church, and enter into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Finally after four years, I accepted the invitation to church and met a girl who invited me to Young life Camp in Colorado. I was shocked to find that it was a religious camp. Mid-week I confessed my sins and opened my life to Christ as my Savior and Lord, becoming a new person.

That year, 1967, I started at the university and became a member of the church.  It was the wild 60’s and I was surrounded by temptation. Although I attended church regularly I was unsure about what next steps I should take in my relationship with Christ. Once again God provided for my needs thru a person, Richard Beach, our Youth Director.  As Christ took the twelve under His wing, Richard was my spiritual guide, showing me that the Christian life is better caught than taught.  Thru his life he taught me how to pray, study scripture, share my faith and lead others.  After a 3-month discipleship training program, I started my first group with the commitment to train others.  Several from that group went on to be full-time Christian workers.

Soon I began working as a volunteer leader with Young Life.  I went to all the school activities at Shawnee Mission South High school, met and became friends with hundreds of students and manifested the sweet aroma of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. To my amazement hundreds started coming to our meetings. We sang, had skits and heard a talk about a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Many were unchurched like me but most had gone to church never finding the answers to their questions about God. Many had a Catholic background and discovered Young Life as a refreshing addition to going to Mass.  It was much the same for students from every denomination.

Although I went to the Presbyterian Church, our conversation was not about our small differences. We majored in talking about the main things that all denominations hold in common.  Suddenly students who seemed disinterested in Christ were excited.  Atheists claimed faith, hedonists changed their ways, and students were following Christ. Soon they were in small groups to be discipled.  They were growing in their faith and reaching out to their friends. Before I knew it the high school students were starting Young Life clubs with the Jr. High kids.  As they went off to college they started groups there as well. 

It is time the church gave more attention to developing and discipling our youth. I was in awe recently when Pope Frances said much the same thing in calling the church to be less judgmental and stronger in sharing the good news of the Gospel.  In our city we are part of the “What If The Church” movement.  Once a year churches of different denominations exchange pulpits and serve the needy of the community.  The results are wonderful.

When Pope Benedict XVI retired, I prayed for the Catholic Church as they sought a new leader.  People wondered why I would pray for the Pope since I am a Presbyterian Minister. I said “I think the Pope is my brother in Christ and also the most influential Christian in the world”.   What if the Christian leaders around the world would get together in small groups to plan projects and love one another?  What would happen if the Catholic Church and the Presbyterian and the Baptist and Lutheran, Episcopal, and Pentecostal could be one?  We all know this is just what Jesus asked us to do in John 17. I believe that Pope Francis could get the ball rolling. We don’t need to wait for him, we can start today.  Let’s reach out to our brothers in Christ.  I know God would bless those relationships and the world would respond to such a witness.  We are all on the same team we need to start acting like it soon!

 Bob Lehleitner is a pastor at Colonial Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, (Quivira Campus). He’s been on staff 42 years and has personally led over 100 discipleship groups. He’s participated in non-denominational youth ministry for 25 years, was a Young Life leader over 10 years. Bob was the chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs for 9 seasons and has helped manage multiple college Icthus campus ministries. He is husband to Gwen and father to Margi and Trey.

Bridges Over Kansas City

Earlier this week I spoke to about 50 Young Life staff from the Gateway Region (Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska) about the crucial relationship between Young Life and the Catholic Church.  Nearly every staff person in the region reported that Catholics represent a significant portion of the kids that they minister to every day. Saint Louis, as an example, stands as the second-most Catholic city in the country, per capita (Boston being the first), a place where tons of Catholic kids are deepening their faith in Christ through Young Life. None of us can neglect the importance of engaging these Catholics with respect, sensitivity and intentionality.

At the end of my presentation, I asked the staff, “Who among you wants to be a bridge-builder? Who among you wants to create an environment within Young Life that is safe for every kid? Who wants to help Catholic kids deepen their relationship with Christ and be the best Catholics they can be? Who among you is serious about building the bridges that will ensure young Catholics continue to grow and serve in their local Catholic parishes?” I think every hand in the room was raised. Young Life staffers are ready and they’re serious about collaborating with the Catholic Church to serve kids.

Yesterday morning I spoke at another gathering of 50+. Yet this room was filled with Catholic priests, youth ministers, diocesan officials and business people, all pulled together by a dynamic Catholic deacon from the Diocese of Kansas City, KS who is passionate about kids knowing Christ. Deacon Dana Nearmyer is an ardent fan of Young Life and believes that the incarnational model of our mission represents a critical component of Catholic success in the new evangelization. The gathering was absolutely electric – Catholics passionate about Christ and kids, meeting Young Life staff who want to do everything they can to connect Catholic kids to their local parishes where they can continue to grow.

After the meeting, local Young Life staff shared their sincere passion to connect Catholic kids (who had fallen away from the Church but were being re-engaged through Young Life) with local Catholic youth ministers who are equally passionate about continuing the relational investment in those young people. It was incredible. And just today I was copied on an email from Jon Schaffhausen, the Kansas City, MO diocesan director of youth ministry, inviting all local Young Life staff together to pray, to know one another, and to begin to strive together to reach kids for Christ.

The bridges are being built before my eyes.

Bridges of relationship.

Bridges of trust.

Bridges built by a common love for kids.

Bridges uniting our shared mission in Christ.

These are the bridges that will unite the body of Christ in the mission of reaching every kid, everywhere, for eternity. What about you? Are you a bridge-builder? Pray with me today that God might use you to bridge the tragic gap that separates us, bringing us together so that Jesus Christ can be known and magnified. 

Letter to a Roman Catholic (A Response)

The following letter was submitted as a response to last week's post ("Letter to a Protestant").[1]  

Dearest friend in Christ,

First off, thank you for your letter.  I know how hard it can be to initiate a conversation between two parties who can be so entrenched in their preconceived understandings.  It took guts for you to write to me, and I respect you for that.

I, too, confess that I like you.  Everything that I have seen in you has been praiseworthy and beyond reproach.  You speak gently and with grace in humility.  I hope I can approach you in much the same manner.  But mostly, let it be known that I, too, consider you my brother in Christ.

It is funny that you should call me “Protestant” because it really isn’t a term that I claim for myself.  I know that you use it in a general sense to refer to me as being “non-Catholic,” but honestly I make no public “protest” of the Catholic Church.  I imagine most other Protestants would feel similarly.  They may think of themselves in specific terms as Lutheran or Methodist, or even in general terms as Charismatic or Evangelical.  (These categories may be wholly unfamiliar to some Catholics, and for that I apologize.  Perhaps we could discuss them at greater length another time.)

My point is that as a Protestant I believe myself to be a part of the body of Christ.  Thank you for reassuring me that you believe the same.  And I like that you referred to us as “family.”  To use a sociological term, what you describe is “fictive kinship” – a closeness shared between two or more members who are NOT related by blood.  I think it is a very poignant term to use for Christians because, even though “fictive” technically means “not real,” what could be more real than the relationship we share through Christ?  You see, in a very real sense we are related – through the BLOOD of Jesus Christ!

Because of this, it pains me to see the divisions that fracture the Church.  How can Christianity be attractive to the world when we are so divided against ourselves?  How can they “know we are Christians by our love” when more often than not we breed hate within our own family?  But your letter has given me hope.  Hope that, through our brokenness, we can be made whole again.  Hope that, though the Church may appear to be in ruins, God will make it glorious again.  I believe this is the collective hope of Easter that all Christians share.

I believe we share more in common than either many Protestants or Catholics realize.  Did you know that I believe that God is the creator of all things?  That Jesus Christ was his only Son, eternally begotten, very God of very God?  That in him was joined the human nature and the divine in one person?  That he suffered pains of body and soul, died, was buried, and rose again from the grave?  That the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son? 

Did you further know that I believe that Christ, through his Apostles, gathered unto himself a Church, and that this catholic Church is holy and shares fellowship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?  And that God forgives us of our sins, and will raise us up on the Last Day?

I dare not speak for you, but are we not on at least this much agreed?  I know there is much that may be added either from Catholic tradition or any number of Protestant traditions. But leaving aside those opinions (whether they be doctrine or not), can we not from this foundation encourage one another to love and good works?  Even if we cannot think alike in all things, at least we may love alike.

And speaking of love, I must warn you – not all Protestants will approach you with the love that I share for you.  That doesn’t make me magnanimous in any way.  I’m just letting you know that some of us are so lost in our misunderstanding of the “other” that it may be very difficult to find an opening to genuine dialogue.  Some will tell you that you are not Christian, or that you are an idolater.  Please know that these people do not speak for all Protestants.  But I ask that you pray with me that their hearts may be turned towards us as ours are toward them.

But what am I saying?  Let us forget about anyone else for now.  Without waiting for others, let us be the first stitch in this torn tapestry (and what a beautiful tapestry it is – how much more beautiful it will be!).  You and I, if we are thus far agreed, will be the bridge.  You and I may be the example to which others can look.  Perhaps as we continue to strengthen our bridge, others will be encouraged and say, “Hey, I want to build a bridge too!”  I pray for more bridge-builders.  Thank you for laying the first brick of our own bridge.  Here’s one more.

Your fellow servant for Christ’s sake,

Christopher

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[1] Chris is a worship leader at Iglesia Nueva Vida in Cleveland, OH.  He holds a Master of Arts in Theology from Aquinas Institute.  His research interests include worship, ecumenism, and the relationship between science and religion.  He lives with his wife -- Vanilda, and two kids -- Emilia and Dominic.

Letter to a Protestant

Dear friend,

Okay, I’m a Catholic and you’re a Protestant. I figure I’d come right out and say it, not to draw some line in the sand (goodness no) but to put into words what we both might be thinking.  “Oh, you’re one of them.” Right? Well, maybe there are a few things that you might want to know before we move on:

First, let me just say I like you. I have a smile on my face as I write. I don’t have some sort of knee-jerk reaction to you being Protestant. You are a Christian. You are my brother or sister in Christ Jesus. You are my friend and Jesus told us that there is no greater love than to give up one’s life for a friend. So we can start off on a very positive note.

I am so happy that you have let Christ into your life, that you have found your greatest love and deepest identity in him. Me too. I love it that your ultimate horizon is not worldly fame, financial fortunes or earthly possessions, as tempting as those things are in the world. No matter how many trophies we might accumulate, nothing satisfies. Only Jesus. You know that because I see it in you. After all, you live your life in the imitation of the suffering Servant, the lowly One, the Christ, and I love that about you. I honor and respect that so much.

You see, when you say that you are a Protestant, I know that you and I are so very close already. We have a bond in Christ that goes so deep. It's like we're family, perhaps closer than our own flesh and blood. We are the body of Christ. Together, we operate as Christ’s hands and feet in the world today. When it comes right down to it, I need you. Perhaps you sense that you need me too. We both probably sense that if  the world is gonna know Jesus as Lord, we're gonna need to work together. I want that. I know you do too.

Isn’t it wonderful to love Jesus, by the way? Isn’t it liberating to place your trust, not in an ideology or even a set of doctrines, but in a Person?  Pope John Paul II once said, “We are not saved by a formula but by a Person.” Of course he's talking about Jesus. This has always made a great impression on me. Earlier in my faith journey I was very concerned with being right. I just thought that's what you do. But most of the time it only fed my pride and left me at odds with others. I’m sorry about that. Now don't get me wrong, I continue to be a rather insatiable student of history and theology, but I think about it more in terms of right relationship than anything else – being in loving relationship with God, with others, and with the world in which I live and move. Jesus is such a good model for this.

Speaking of popes, I love our current pope. But I wanted you to know that he isn’t Jesus. Now I know you know this but you might be a little unsure of where I'm coming from. Gosh, we Catholics have made this so confusing for you! I’m sorry about that too. Now I believe Pope Francis is a holy and humble man, but I never get that confused with the Savior. What I find so inspiring about Francis is that he is a man of the Word, he walks what he talks, and he lives what he preaches. Our local bishop recently put it this way as he was ordaining priests, and I thought it was worth sharing: “Believe what you read (in the Bible); preach what you believe; and practice what you preach.” Boy, if we could all do that we’d be in pretty good shape!

I’ve heard many of my Protestant friends say lately that they are inspired by the pope. Francis’ simplicity and commitment to the common people, especially the poor, is just so powerful. Personally, he is a great challenge to me.  He shows me I've got a long way to go to be like Jesus! But the pope isn’t God, let's be clear. I do not worship him or pray to him. I don’t believe (nor does the Catholic Church) that everything he says is gospel truth. He is a follower of Christ, in need of a Savior, indebted to God’s grace, just like you and me. I’m sure he’d be the first to tell you that.

I don’t know if you usually associate this with Catholics but I do pray. And I’m not even talking about Hail May’s and Our Father’s (as wonderful as those prayers are). When I pray I simply talk to God and God talks to me. Matter of fact, the more I pray the more I’m inclined to button my lip and just listen! Surely God has a lot more important things to say to me.

I’d have to say that after nearly 20 years of being an intentional disciple of the Lord, my personal relationship with God is most shaped by reading the Bible and praying every day. Just like you, I thank God and praise him when I pray. I ask God to purify me from sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I accept Christ’s lordship in my life and invite him to change me any way he wants. I ask God to make me an instrument of his grace, truth, forgiveness and justice. I beg God to fill me with his love so that I can love others the way Jesus loves us. And I ask God to use me to draw others into a loving, growing relationship with Christ. I ask God to help me to be a good husband to my wife, a good father to my kids, and a good neighbor to my, well neighbors. Just writing about prayer now reminds me how little it helps to talk about prayer and how important it is just to pray.  So I’m going to pray for you now. I hope you’ll pray for me.

There are many things that I was planning to write to you about – Mary, the saints, sacraments, salvation, the Trinity – but for some reason it just doesn’t feel right. Perhaps we’ll get to that stuff on down the road, but I guess the most important thing is to get to know each other first. It seems like the more I get to know people, even people who I think are very different from me, the more I find that we’re more alike than anything. I get the sense sometimes from God, ya know those times when you’re deep in prayer, that we’re all really united already, we just don’t know it. And if we don’t know we’re part of the same body, it’s hard to act like it. But I hope we can change that – one person, one heart (and perhaps one letter) at a time.

I would love it if you’d write me back. I am so interested in your faith, your life, and your story with Jesus. I have a lot to learn from you. And I have a feeling we could become good friends. Thank you, truly, and God bless you.

Yours faithfully in Christ,

Michael