KEEP READING The post Catholics on Instagram That You Should Follow appeared first on ProjectYM ..read more

(A quick note from our Blog Editor: I know, I know. WHY on EARTH am I sharing this blog about planning for FALL? We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and have no idea when or how our ministry will start meeting in person again, much less what the new school year will hold! But hear me out friends: This too shall pass. And when it does, it would be helpful to already have a clear vision and goals for returning to “normal” ministry again. So often we get swept up in the busyness and chaos of youth ministry. KEEP READING The post 5 Things To Do To Map Out Your Best Fall Calendar appeared f ..read more

In the Gospel of Matthew, right after the beatitudes and in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount, Christ speaks to his disciples about loving your enemies and then gives them the highest expectation: “Be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48) Pluck your eye out if it causes you to sin! If you divorce, you’re committing adultery! Don’t make promises you can’t keep! Don’t be vengeful; turn the other cheek! Love your enemies! Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. How is that even obtainable? How can that even be a standard when humanity, from the beginning of Adam a ..read more

It’s not always the case that we can know with certainty that we are living through a historic time. The COVID-19 pandemic has made that the only certain thing we can know at this point. With the news reports changing everyday, the number of cases fluctuating world-wide, and state governments issuing “stay at home” orders left and right, it can feel as though all the tools in your ministry belt are now useless. Fear not! Your teens need you now more than ever. As they are now forced to stay home, the enemy wants to make us feel isolated, ineffective, and irrelevant. KEEP READING The post Suppo ..read more

One of the worst feelings I have ever felt was on a Sunday night in the middle of the summer. I had prepared a fun youth event that included tye-dye and a bible study on the Creation story. Ten minutes had gone by and no one had showed up. Not a single soul. I sat in the chair, trying not to look pathetic in case one lone teen would saunter in the room. My heart was racing and I felt sort of sick to my stomach. In those moments, I felt small and insignificant. I felt like I had failed and was embarrassed by my hopeful purchase of a dozen white tees. KEEP READING The post Your Worth as a Youth ..read more

While not-so-innocently meandering around the Hobby Lobby this month, I found myself drawn, as usual, to the décor aisles. Scattered about the adorable canvas signs (silently beckoning, “Buy me!”) I noticed a few signs with the phrase “Choose Joy” artfully painted on canvas. Before I knew it, the sign appeared in my shopping cart. (I still don’t know how that possibly could have happened!) That little canvas hangs up on my wall where I see it daily. Some days, it’s an encouragement to me, to ask myself: where is the joy in my voice, in my eyes, in my facial expressions, or even in my driving ..read more

Ministry is great, isn’t it? The teens are always smiling and laugh at all of your jokes. They are super polite to every parent and volunteer who walks through the door. They eat all of their food and even help clean up after dinner. They never speak during the talks you give and always participate fully in small group discussions. The teens obey all rules of every game so that everyone can have a good time and receive the take-home message for the night. What’s that you say? Your program isn’t like that? Let me try again. Here are some basic rules that nearly every teen in my program just see ..read more

ProjectYM is looking for some youth ministers and core team members to write for our blog! The ProjectYM blog is a place where readers all over the world come to find useful information to help them thrive in their ministry. We publish articles that touch the heart, give witness to the glory of God, offer “How-to’s” and action items for youth ministers to try out with their teens, And…. what we lovingly call “Listicles” What is a listicle? A “listicle” is an article that is what it sounds like. It is a list of things that a youth minister or core team member would be interested in. K ..read more

It’s so easy to get swept up in the Advent season to get excited about Mary and Elizabeth and John the Baptist and on and on and on. There are so many giants of our faith in Advent that it’s easy to glance over Joseph. He is huge figure in the life of Jesus and an example to us as parents, teens and all Catholics. Here are two takeaways from his role as Jesus’ papa. Quit Talking and Listen There is not a single word uttered by Joseph in Scripture. It’s that simple. We need to quit talking. We need to quit with all the busyness. KEEP READING The post Why is Joseph an Important Part of the Stor ..read more

One Tuesday night, around 10:15, my doorbell rang. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be stopping by my house that day, much less at bedtime, so I confusedly made my way to the door to see what nitwit would be showing up so late, ready to give them a piece of my mind about etiquette and prior notice of arrival. And then I heard someone singing Unchained Melody. Immediately recognizing the voice, I yanked open the door and there, standing on my front porch, was my boyfriend (now husband). Suitcase in hand, big smile plastered across his face, he had changed his flights to arrive early in Lake Charles ..read more