This year, thousands of youth attended one of the five CFC-Youth for Christ regional conferences. The regional conference series is one of the organization’s main pastoral events to encourage young people to grow spiritually, as well as creatively and physically.
This year, thousands of youth attended one of the five CFC-Youth for Christ regional conferences. The regional conference series is one of the organization’s main pastoral events to encourage young people to grow spiritually, as well as creatively and physically. Photo courtesy of CFC-Youth for Christ

CFC-Youth for Christ encourages creativity at annual conference

By  Regina Rhae Contreras, Youth Speak News
  • May 20, 2016

As journeys begin in our lives, we all start from humble beginnings, especially in our relationships with the Lord. That is exactly how the ministry of CFC-Youth for Christ began here in Canada.

CFC-Youth for Christ is a Catholic youth ministry which began in 1998 under the family ministry of Couples for Christ. The goal of the ministry is to bring Christ where the young people are.

In 2016, the CFC-Youth community has held five regional conferences across Canada proclaiming what it means to be “Victorious” with the Lord present in your life, this year’s theme. Thousands of youth attended conferences in British Columbia, Alberta Ontario and Quebec.

“The regional conference is an excellent tool because it allows youth to recognize growth in faith and talents and continues to challenge them with new opportunities through expected activities,” said Kyle Beley, full-time pastoral worker for the central region branch of CFC-Youth For Christ.

The Regional Youth Conference is a weekend event that gives way for youth to participate in various competitions, such as volleyball, basketball, dodgeball, music and dance. Beley said youth from various regions look forward to the conference with weeks of preparations and practices to showcase just what the Lord gave them.

In addition to an afternoon filled with friendly competition, the conference holds a well developed pastoral aspect which involves teachings of the faith, our struggles and the promises and graces of the Lord. There are a series of workshops that provide practical ways for participants to take action on what they’ve learned over the weekend.

Beley said the endless opportunities the event holds for youth are what helps set their hearts on fire for the Lord and to share His love with the world.

“Regional Youth Conference is an essential role for Canada”, he said. “It unites the CFC-Youth community geographically, fostering more intimate and stronger experiences... resulting in stronger development of faith.”

Beley said every year the conferences create a strong force of evangelization in young people as attendance has grown. The event challenges youth not only spiritually but creatively and physically. It inspires young adults to take on social issues with a heart full of service and self-surrender. He said no one leaves without experiencing an intimate moment with the Lord.

(Contreras, 20, is a third-year communications student at University of Winnipeg.)

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