Nuturing Young Leaders

"When can we do that again?" C.J. had thoroughly enjoyed the day at Crosshill Mennonite Church, a rural congregation in Waterloo Region. Crosshill had invited the Jane Finch Faith Community to join them in a day of fellowship and games.

For C.J., the afternoon spent in the gym together with other youth was a highlight, as are activities with other churches. MCEC youth winter retreat and annual trips to Floradale and Zurich Mennonite churches are high on his list of fun things to do. These nurturing relationships, along with the encouragement of the Jane Finch Faith Community, have helped C.J. become an important leader of the church youth group.

A vital part of living in the Jane Finch community has  been finding ways to work through the trauma and fears related to voilence. C.J. was in Grade 9 at the  time of the widely publicized shooting incident at C.W. Jeffries High School in Toronto two years ago. As a student there, he experienced the lockdown and trauma students felt after that incident. Now, he uses his gifts to create dramas that help the community reflect and work through the realities of violence from a faith perspective. His focus on the power of forgiveness in stopping the cycle of violence is a ray of light.

Recently, C.J. approached Clayton Kuepfer, pastor of Jane Finch Faith Community, with a proposal for a youth sport tournament to be held at Floradale Mennonite Church. Togeher, C.J. and Kendra, youth pastor at Floradale Mennonite Church, planned a sports day and invited churches in the area. It was a huge success.

"Activities like this, where youth meet and have fun together, build positive lifetime memories as well as offer opportunities for youth to use their leadership skills," Clayton says. "I never before saw C.J. function in this kind of capacity. I was impressed with his quiet, confident leadership that helped make the day a success."

C.J., along with other youth and families of Jane Finch Faith Community, have benefited greatly from connections with other MCEC congregations. It is these nuturing relationships that inspire young men llike C.J. to become leaders now and for the future church.