Youth Unity in SCHOOLS
To reach youth we need to go where the youth are – which is at school. But there is a problem. Here is how we could fix it together.
If only 17% of our 544 high schools have an active Christian group, that means 4 out 5 do not. That’s a problem.
Furthermore, with only 22% of the groups that exist have programming for outreach as a goal. So, if there are 120 school groups (we found 92), only 25 of these are actively trying to cataylse wider spiritual conversation and interest. This isn’t good also.
Positively, there was an 88% correlation between regular outreach equipping (15% of youth groups, 3+ times annually) and school groups. So if all youth leaders will equip for outreach, that will already make a difference.
Positively also, 49% of youth leaders were aware of a group – for some because they were the reason it exists, having cast vision when equipping their youth. For all, this at least means means they could support these groups, to better achieve the school groups’ goals, if they could be shown why and how.
The solution is clear. We united in a vision of young people being intentionally encouraged (vision) and helped (support) to UNITE in every high school, gathering weekly, to PRAY together about what they might DO to catalyse spiritual interest and conversation. This is achievable!
Resources
Bringing vision and encouragement to school groups, Catalyst have chosen the name ‘Jesus Clubs’, and from 2025 onwards travelled to share vision and tips that could help youth start their own groups.
Check out their resourcing HERE, and their AMAZING ‘Jesus Clubs’ manual below:
The monthly Godtalk updates advocate for school groups, with a wealth of experience in catalysing this specific area of leadership (school groups – led by youth) on two continents. The simplest of approaches is summarised n the below webpage in simple text. Monthly e-update encourage and feed the vision. Check it out:
Learn from the best. Preserved via Godtalk.nz, the 101 Ideas Mag was the result of a significant European school-groups movement known as ‘New Generation’ which Dave M was involved in duplicating into another nation. The European movement has lost its momentum currently – but the thinking and ideas synch exactly with the DNA NZ’s national youth leaders perceive to be working here. This Mag records what ideas initiated in their schools, WITH RESULTS. Check it out via the Godtalk webpage here:
Pray For
Your School
Day
Proposed amongst the national youth leaders, this day is likely to be initiated in NZ in 2027. Details will be found here when it does. Planned for late February, its purpose will be to help Christian youth in each school UNITE, that they might PRAY and consider what they could DO in the year ahead. Contact any national youth leader for more information – or just plan your own day, to unite the Christian youth of your school!