Dear Teens,
Heyyyyyy! I want to write you this letter as a Youth Minister who admires, respects, loves you and deeply cares about your soul. Even though I don’t know you personally, I genuinely want the best for you.
Do you know how awesome you are? Well, let me say it: you are AWESOME! You are wonderful, you are beautiful, and you are God’s.
I noticed that you haven’t been to Life Teen very much and I want to reach out. Before you think it, I am not trying to guilt you into coming to youth group. I want you to know that I am thinking about you and praying for you. I miss you. I recognize how insanely busy you are with practice, recitals, homework, college applications, and more. I get it. I also understand the temptation of skipping another night of what you may think of as just“bible stories” so you can catch up in school or get ahead on the next thing happening.
Let me tell you though, the Church needs you…our youth group needs you. St. John Paul II said, “You are unique and unrepeatable.” You offer something that no one else offers. You are the only you! Never underestimate the power of your example.
As a youth group community, it’s important to be intentional. It’s also important to hold each other accountable. Scripture says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24,25). We need each other.
Do I want you to come to youth group? Absolutely. More than that, I want you to know that I care about you, I am here for you, and I love you. While your parents ideally would play the role of the primary spiritual influence in your life, I firmly believe that your parish youth group plays another vital role in your overall spiritual development. If for some reason you haven’t felt welcome by myself, the Core Team or your peers, please accept my apology. You are welcome and you belong there. You are missed.
No matter who you are, what car you drive, where you live or where you are from, there is a place for you. I challenge you to get involved.
God has an amazing plan for your life. Please accept my invitation to visit us this coming Sunday night. And, – just want you to know, even if you never walk a foot back in the youth group door, I still love you and I’m praying for you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Your Youth Minister
