CATHOLIC YOUTHS ORGANIZATION: ST. THERESA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH IBAGWA-AKA. Lecture Delivered by High Chief Nkem Ossai (Odenammuo), on 24th August 2024. On the occasion: 2024 Youth Week

Title:
Educating Youths For Service to God, Community Development and Leadership While Still a Teenager

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
…..St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Introduction
Growing up as a young person has several unpredictable challenges. This calls for the participation of parents and indeed, the society in general. The first responsibility falls on the parents: that of working to provide all the things growing children requires. To the society, the provision of infrastructure and institutions needed for nurturing growing youths is inevitable. But, if I may ask: who is described to be a youth?

The term “youth” was defined by scholars as a person who is in the stage of life between childhood and adulthood, typically spanning from adolescence to early adulthood. The exact age range that defines youth varies depending on cultural, social, and economic settings, but it generally includes individuals between the ages of:

• 12 and 24 (United Nations definition)
• 15 and 30 (World Health Organization definition)
• 18 and 30 (common usage in many countries and cultures)

Several scholars agree that youth is a period of significant physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development, characterized by:

• Transition from dependence to independence
• Exploration of identity, values, and beliefs
• Development of skills, knowledge, and attitudes
• Formation of relationships and social connections
• Increased autonomy and decision-making.

They divided the youth stage into sub-categories, including:

• Early adolescence (12-15 years old)
• Late adolescence (16-19 years old)
• Young adulthood (20-24 years old)
• Emerging adulthood (25-30 years old) and of course the youth at heart.
  Keep in mind that these age ranges are approximate and can vary depending on individual circumstances and cultural contexts.

For the sake of our discussion today, the youth are a vital part of the church and society, and serving God is an essential aspect of their spiritual growth and development. In this essay, we will explore the importance of service to God among the youth, the benefits it brings, and ways to encourage and empower them to serve.

1. Importance of Service to God
   Society and indeed many religions believe that serving God is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, and the youth are no exception. It helps them develop a deeper relationship with God, understand their purpose, and discover their spiritual gifts.
   Benefits of Service to God:
   *Spiritual growth and maturity
   *Developing a sense of purpose, a sense of direction and identity
   *Building relationships and community
   *Learning valuable skills and leadership development

• Impacting others and making a difference.

Serving God is a vital aspect of the youth’s spiritual journey, and it’s essential to encourage and empower them to do so. By providing opportunities, mentorship, training, and support, we can help the youths develop a lifelong commitment to serving God and making a positive impact in their communities.

Community Engagement:
Scholars believe that community engagement is a vital component in youth development and service to God. Youths must participated in clean-up initiatives, volunteer work, and mentorship programs. In this way, you developed a sense of ownership, leadership and responsibility.

Who is your mentor?
Mentorship plays a significant role in youth development. Finding experienced community leaders to guide you is a great step in setting goals, overcoming challenges and developing a growth mindset. In the words of Prof. Osita Ogbu, mindset is everything.

Leadership as teenagers:
Becoming a leader as a teenager may seem daunting, but it’s an incredible opportunity to develop valuable skills, build confidence, and make a positive impact. When you aspire to lead, you develop your intellectual capabilities.
Leadership is not solely reserved for adults; teenagers can also develop leadership skills and make a difference. Embracing challenges, building strong relationships, and cultivating a growth mindset, makes you an effective leader.

Setting Goals and effective communication:
Set clear, achievable goals for yourself and your team. Break down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks. Celebrate success and learn from failures. Deliberately make effort to develop strong communication skills, including public speaking, active listening, and conflict resolution.

Community Involvement:
Engage with your community through volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or initiatives. Understand the needs and challenges faced by your community and develop solutions.

Resilience:
Develop resilience by embracing challenges, learning from failures, and persevering through obstacles. Stay adaptable and focused on your goals.

1. Believe in yourself: develop self-confidence and self-worth. Trust your abilities, take risks, and embrace your uniqueness.
2. * Find your purpose and passions rather than seeking validation through social media likes or peer approval. True purpose and fulfillment comes from living a meaningful life.
3. *Remember, setbacks are opportunities for growth, learning, and development. Develop a growth mindset, persevere through challenges, and stay committed to your goals. Be a purpose-driven individual!

4.*Achieving our purpose:
Achieving our purpose in the world requires a combination of self-awareness, intention, and action. To discover your purpose, reflect on your values, passions, and strengths. When you discover your purpose, go all out for it. Set clear goals: Break down your purpose into specifics, measurable, and achievable goals.

Conclusion
Becoming a leader as a teenager requires dedication, hard work, and a willingness to learn. By following these steps, you can develop the skills and confidence needed to make a positive impact in your community. Remember, leadership is said to be a journey not a destination. Embrace the challenge and become the leader you aspire to.

Five steps provided by great motivational speakers:
*”The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
*”It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. Your self-worth is determined by you. Nothing is actually impossible.”
*”Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.”
*“You have brains in your head. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
*Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” — John D. Rockefeller

You have been all wonderful.