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Who is the founder of Jesus Youth and where did it begin ? |
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Unlike religious congregations and some other movements, Jesus Youth is not the product of a single person’s vision. Over the years a large number of youth got initiated into the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) and many of then grew steadily through different groups. A felt need for growth and guidance brought the active members of these groups for a variety of trainings. Gradually a network of committed youth grew and eventually there were a set of well formed leaders.
This character of ‘gradualism’ and grass root dynamism are in the very nature of this movement. Though the central team has a coordinator, total leadership does not rest with one individual. Leadership across every level of Jesus Youth is a team effort. A movement has to have a starting point and Jesus Youth started under this title in Kerala, South India, as the youth movement of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. In a short period of time it spread to other regions. Today, projects like One-year Full-timership, Cultural exchange program, Divya Jyothi, Jesus Youth fellowships, initiation and growth conventions catering to various cultures across countries signify the growth of Jesus Youth into an international movement. The enthusiastic response by youth of different countries and cultures to this spirituality and network testifies to the relevance of Jesus Youth lifestyle to the modern day youth of any country or culture. Jesus Youth is relevant wherever young people have the eagerness to take an appropriate initiative for the Lord.
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