A few years back, I went on a mission trip to Haiti. I wasn’t the lead, but I was responsible for the teenagers who came with us. We spent months preparing—not just for logistics, but to ensure it wasn't a one-time experience.
We talked about community, opposition, accompaniment, and sacred listening. For us, it was all about being ready for an experience that was more than a service project. It was about learning how to be in solidarity with others, keeping Christ at the center of everything we did.
Too many times in ministry, service becomes a single event. We see teens engage in a project or even a weeklong trip that ends up being just a fond memory. While not everyone is called to serve in the same way, those of us who lead these opportunities have a responsibility to help participants see Christ at the center.
If we want service to form disciples, we have to change our approach.
What if service wasn’t an isolated component of our ministry with young people (or even adults), but part of the way we teach faith?
Don’t just announce the trip or event—talk about why you’re going. Yes, some teens will sign up for service hours, parental pressure, or because friends are going. That’s okay.
But they should know why your parish is offering it.
Take time to educate and inspire them. Use Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, or a personal story. Share the Church’s vision for justice and loving our neighbor. Capture their hearts with the transformation that can take place when they’re open to God’s work. Give them purpose, and they'll be more open to the Spirit’s promptings.
Too often, we finish the task and celebrate the tangible results, but forget what God is doing in our hearts and minds. If we want service tied to discipleship, we have to help participants process and reflect.
Ask thoughtful questions and give them time to journal or share:
Where did you see God?
What felt uncomfortable?
What did you learn?
Sit with them in groups. Help them unpack their experience and notice how God is working. Follow up when you can, helping them continue to discern what God is calling them to do next.
One of the biggest gaps in service ministry is the lack of follow-up. Even if you don’t have capacity for regular service programming, consider ways to keep them thinking differently about the world.
Introduce them to Catholic Social Teaching. Encourage them to keep noticing needs around them and to talk about those needs with others.
If possible, form a small group for teens or adults centered on faith and justice. Partner with local organizations. Invite parents into the conversation so service becomes part of their family’s life, not just a youth group requirement.
We may not always recognize how challenging yet rewarding outreach can be until we do it ourselves. Whether it was visiting prisons with UnCuffed Ministries or harvesting crops at First Fruit Farms with my family, serving outside of work was transformative for me.
It wasn’t just about what I did—it was what I talked about. Teens noticed, not because they saw me at every event, but because I shared authentic stories about justice and mercy. When they see that you care about service in your own life, they begin to care too.
Maybe you’re not sure where to start. That’s why we created Faith in Action Cohorts, our newest MYM Sprint. It’s a six-week virtual cohort designed to help youth ministers guide teens into real, Christ-centered service.
It’s only $10 and includes a practical framework, tools you can adapt to your parish, and community with other leaders.
If you want to help young people put their faith into action through service, learn more here.
Identify the Why
Provide an Opportunity to Debrief
Talk About What Is Next
Ask Yourself, "How Can I Grow?"
It doesn’t require a huge budget or an entirely new program. Just intentionality. And with that focus, you’ll not only see teens in action, but a dynamic movement of young disciples.