NeXt Level, Goodfaith’s latest youth initiative, transforms parishes through a process that empowers youth inspired, developed and implemented passion projects.
We ask youth, “what do you care about? What social concern(s) are you passionate about? What injustice(s) do you see around you and want to address? What are your gifts? What is God calling you to?” Then we listen. And then we provide a framework, support, and resources for them, their adult mentors and their faith community as they seek to respond.
Over the last five and half years, Goodfaith developed and researched this process of engaging and centering young people in parishes across New Jersey and neighboring states. As they implemented their passion projects, they began to see themselves as protagonists of their faith, and grew in relationship with their mentors. Their parish communities also started to transform into places of intergenerational community, worship, and service.
It’s been exciting to watch transformation take place in these young people, in the adult mentors and parish staff, and in parishes. And our research, Accompanying Youth: Mapping the Path Toward Deeper Discipleship, really shows this incredible impact. You can also hear from the youth and mentors themselves here.
As we researched NeXt Level, we saw a new model emerging, which we now call the Pathways to Discipleship: Accompaniment, Encounter, Protagonism, and Spiritual Imagination. While the focus of NeXt Level was on youth missionary discipleship, our research also found that the Pathways had a profound impact on the mentors, ministries, and parish communities that followed the process. They all grew in their connection to God, their community, daily prayer, and participation in the Catholic Church.
In addition to the parishes we accompanied in NJ, we partnered with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to implement the model within their Office of Ministry with Youth. We also have some new university and parish partnerships on the horizon. But it doesn’t stop there! We are looking to grow our collaborations with dioceses, clusters of parishes, and Catholic high schools across the country. For more information, please set up a time to meet with Joe Perdreauville, Director of Mission Resourcing.
