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

Jonathan 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, I’ve had regular opportunities to mentor Jonathan during lifts to his rural home outside Sligo, often sharing time with him and his mum. Though living quite isolated on a farm, Jonathan continues to grow strongly in faith through school, Sligo activities, 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 secondary schools

40 in primary schools

18 in youth groups

26 went to MOVE

100 through NOMAD

Where are we at work?

In Sligo, we are proactively working to establish a local steering group to help give direction and rootedness to local YFC work. Claudio is actively working to establish a weekly missional drop-in program along with a summer kids camp outreach in parternship with local churches.
In Longford, Marian is also proactively working to establish a local steering group. Her work in two local schools, various Church of Ireland parish and diocesan activities, and her discipleship and mentoring of young people is both exciting and rewarding.
In Mullingar, Claire has been able to build important connections with local schools and the Roman Catholic parish yielding exciting opportunities to reach even more young people there.

THANK YOU!

How can you get involved?

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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%).

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