The new Archbishop of York, Revd John Sentamu has stated that a distinct feeling of not belonging is a major issue in why young people in today’s society feel isolated in the world.
Revd Sentamu was speaking at the Youth for Christ’s annual Commissioning Service at Coventry Cathedral last week. He said, “hat is desperately needed amongst young people today is a sense of belonging. We all want to belong. I have never been anywhere or met anyone who didn’t need to belong.”The efforts of YFC in reaching out to today’s lost generations was praised by the Archbishop, and in particular YFC’s commission to make all young people feel valued and loved was testified by Revd Sentamu.
He said, “Youth for Christ brings young people to minister to other young people in a powerful and relevant way.”
Approximately 1,000 gathered for the commissioning service and heard the second-most senior official in the Church of England tell them three things they had to keep in their hearts as they sought to serve the lord in the world.
He told, “First, listen to the voice of Jesus. He said come, follow me, and he always like a good shepherd leads us in a place of love and leads us safely.
“Second, remember that God’s greatest miracle in anyone is the way he forgives. He always forgives.”
He concluded, “Then third, Jesus says you are no longer slaves but my friends. Jesus is your friend. Read the Bible like he is writing to you as a friend, then go and introduce your friend Jesus to others.”
YFC’s National Director, Roy Crowne said, “What a contrast to see, in a church which is declining, we had over a hundred 18-20 year olds being commissioned as staff workers and volunteers with Youth for Christ.“This gives us a real hope for the future of the church. Then the Archbishop of York, our President at YFC, instructed these young people to go out and be a role model for other young people, telling them to declare that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour.
“There is still great hope for this nation.”
