Week 6: EMPOWERMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE

Since its inception, PT has recognized the power of passionate young people to transform the world and given them space to lead. Here’s how we live out our culture of empowering young adults and youth to make a difference:

• We connect the energy and ideas of young people with churches and under-resourced communities to bring about change
• We believe young people are capable of helping solve communities’ toughest issues when given the opportunity to lead and serve
• We value young people’s passions, innovation, and enthusiasm and give space for their voice in evaluation and development of the organization
• We empower children and youth to become servant leaders in their own communities

Catch the vision of Project Transformation and empower young people!

LEARN: Research shows that cultivating youth voice and choice in educational and out-of-school settings is crucially important for youth engagement and, thereby, transformation. A George Lucas Foundation supported website, Edutopia, is a repository for instructional strategies and best practices for teachers, youth ministers, and out-of-school time professionals. Check it out!

ACT: Read participant-to-young adult Sammy Ramirez’s story here! We are so proud that Sammy is one of over 50 child participants in the program to have returned to PT as college-age young adult interns since 1998!  This phenomenon truly speaks to the depth and longevity of Project Transformation’s impact on young people’s lives and, therefore, communities.

REFLECT: Young people are repeatedly called by God throughout scripture to do brave things for God’s people: Daniel, David, Esther, and Timothy are a few examples. The story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a powerful story of how one young teen changes the world by her faith and (literally) allowing God to dwell in her. Read Luke 1:26-56, which includes Mary’s Song or Magnificat:

46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”

Now journal some responses to the following: Consider what you would might have said and done if you were Mary. Draw the emotion you may have had. Why was God able to use Mary? Even in the midst of a challenging personal situation, Mary clings to hope. God’s love and justice shaped Mary’s vision of the world. How do God’s love and justice shape your courage, hope and vision for the world?