Some resources for global youth topics

I work to raise awareness of missions and global youth and global issues among Christian youth workers. It’s a daunting task at times in the States where we’re doing all we can just to work with the youth in our own context.  Still, the church is called to GO and global issues once thought of as “over there” now sit on our doorsteps.

Cultural competency and global awareness are becoming non-negotiables for youth workers committed preparing youth for the 21st century.  The old insulated ways, where youth ministry protects kids from the world or just keeps teens active, won’t cut it for a faith that sticks as it is confronted by the problems of the world.

Fortunately, it’s beginning to change as more teens are becoming involved in initiatives to make a difference. Many young people are aware of human trafficking now and youth groups are leading events and fundraisers to support organizations confronting this tragic practice.

And there are other tragedies facing global youth.  Human trafficking has been around for a long time, it’s just recently that the American church has chosen to do something about it.

It took building awareness first.

And that’s where we are now with “global youth” as a topic.  There are MANY issues that will confront the world (and the church in the US) emerging from what’s going on among global youth.  But raising awareness of these issues has been daunting.  At times, like those who used to share about human trafficking, the concerns have been met with silence or muted interest.  And yet there’s a coming tidal wave of issues related to economics, education, theology, and health care.

So, what issues are there that may capture your heart and that of your teens?  What are ways we can explore what’s going on in the world and then prayerfully consider how we should/could respond?

To get you started looking for ideas on how to help students be aware of what’s happening in the world, check out these resource pages:

Resources from Y Care International

CAFOD (UK based) resources

And, shameless plug time, you may want to also read the book that David Livermore and I wrote,  What Can We Do?: Practical Ways Your Youth Ministry Can Have a Global Conscience.  We cover a wide variety of topics in there and supply further resources that can help you and your youth group make a difference with the “world” that is in your local community, your region, and around the globe.

I’ll be posting some additional helps and thoughts related to global youth.

What are the global or missional issues you see that your teens are interested in?

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