(Tangaza University College/The Journal of Youth M i n is t r y, 2013) Sahaya, Selvam
Not long ago, I was participating in a training programme in
Spiritual Accompaniment. For my prayer one morning, I chose the
story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35). During
my many years of active youth ministry I have used this text as a
model of youth ministry. The Wedge Model of youth ministry is
based on this story (Finn, 1993; Kimball, 1987; Zanzig, 1987). This
model has been elaborated also in the African context by Selvam
(2006). In this model, the youth minister is seen as one who joins
the two young people on the road, listens to their stories, enlightens
their mind and heart, and finally enables them to experience Jesus
as the Risen Lord. Thus youth ministry becomes a process that
empowers young people to go back to their daily life with a deep
sense of hope. This hope flows from their experience of Christ.
When they begin to share their own hope with others, the young
people in turn become ministers to their peers.