YOUTH FOR CHRIST UPDATE

FIND OUT WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AROUND YOUTH FOR CHRIST OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS…

Longford

ALPHA COURSES

In Longford, Marian supported an Alpha programme for St. Mel’s College, run collaboratively by local Catholic and Protestant churches. Each week, students walk from the school to the Cathedral crypt, where they’re welcomed with tea, biscuits, an Alpha Youth video, and intentional discussion. These groups, which have been running across Ireland for years, continue to bear fruit. Recently, Liam met a young man he remembered from an Alpha small group a few years ago, when he identified as an atheist. After beginning a conversation about faith, Liam discovered that this young man is now following Jesus and attending church independently—a powerful reminder of Alpha’s lasting impact.

Dunshaughlin

NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE

We ran a retreat in Newbridge College in December with 120 first-year students. We were invited in to the school by the chaplain Fr. Anthony, a Dominican priest. He gave us the opportunity to share the gospel with the young people in this time as we spoke about the powerful meaning of advent. Marian prayed with one of the students, as his mother is undergoing treatment for cancer and in the Prayer Space he expressed that he found it hard to ‘have faith’ during this difficult and challenging time. Nonetheless we were able to encourage these young people with powerful testimonies.

Sligo

YOUNG PERSON TURNED YOUNG LEADER

James (not his real name) is a sixth-year student who loves Jesus, rugby, and good banter. After years of discipleship through his school’s Christian Union, experiencing a miraculous healing, and spending several summers at Move, he is now leading the CU himself. He recently shared, “The school’s CU is more important to me than rugby now.” Through learning to drive, Claudio has had regular opportunities to mentor James during lifts to his rural home outside Sligo, often sharing time with him and his mum. Though living quite isolated on a farm, James continues to grow strongly in faith through school, connecting with YFC, and mentoring.

Longford

AN ENCOURAGING STORY

In a local school, Marian shared an encouraging moment with a group of students that captured the ways that God often works through our team. After spending time chatting and laughing with a young girl and her friends, the girl suddenly asked, “Can we go to the chapel? My grandad died two years ago today, and I’d like to light a candle for him.” Marian agreed, knowing the chapel didn’t usually have candles—but she realised she had one in her bag. What felt like a small detail became a meaningful gift. Together they lit the candle in the prayer space. The young girl shared some of her memories of her beloved grandad and after a few moments - she blew out the candle. In that moment, Marian prayed with the girl, offering comfort and hope, and the reassurance that God sees and cares deeply, even in our quietest sorrows.

WHERE HAVE WE MET YOUNG PEOPLE?

200 in school retreats

47 in youth groups

190 through Alpha

Where are we at work?

With a steering committee already in place, Claudio is working on establishing a summer kids camp to develop relationships with local churches and the community. He also has plans for a local youth drop-in centre to target young people that local churches may not be in a position to reach.
Marian is part of a group running a county-wide prayer initiative for Longford to encourage local missional work. She has also developed key relationships in a local Catholic school and will run a confirmation retreat for this school.
On behalf of the local Catholic parish, Claire is developing a youth space for young people to hang out at various times during the week. She is also connecting with local schools to get them involved with Saturday night youth mass in the Cathedral.

THANK YOU!

How can you get involved?

#1 Subscribe to our mailing list to get updates and hear stories.

#2 Give to Youth for Christ to see the future of Ireland transformed for Christ.

Scroll down for more

Where will your support go?

When you give to Youth for Christ Ireland, your support directly empowers ministry. Approximately 50% of all donations go toward funding our dedicated youth workers who build relationships, disciple young people, and lead life-changing programs across the country.

Another 30% supports our essential behind-the-scenes work—administration, communications, and fundraising—which keeps the ministry running smoothly and sustainably.

The remaining 20% covers practical needs like office space (10%), travel and ministry vehicles (5%), and resources for events and outreach (5%).

Every euro you give helps us reach and invest in the next generation.