CAREER CHOICES AND YOUNG PEOPLE

CAREER CHOICES AND YOUNG PEOPLE

“Come, follow me” Jesus said and the Galilean fishermen left everything – the big catch of fish, the boats, their co-workers and followed Jesus on a mission adventure to become fishers of men. We have fewer young people in today’s generation willing to obey the call, leave everything and follow Jesus in an adventure in global missions.

India has a larger proportion of youth population than the rest of the world, according to the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) State of the World’s Population Report, released recently said. “Young people are the innovators, creators, builders and leaders of the future. But they can transform the future only if they have skills, health, decision-making, and real choices in life,” UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehim, said in a statement.¹

What is the status of the young people in our churches? Most young people are being molded to become career-minded rather than service-minded. Several generations ago, Christian young people chose vocations in education, health care, community development and government service. Today, young people are often compelled by their parents to choose vocations with a mindset to create more wealth for their families than fulfill God’s calling in their lives. Several of the established churches and mission agencies in India now report that there is a general decline in the number of applicants for pastoral or missional work. The few who desire to be involved start their own organizations than join an existing church or mission agency.

If this scenario has to change, we need to create opportunities for young people and space in our structures for their active participation in church ministry and mission work. Traditional structures must give way for new innovative ways of mission. We need to mentor young people to obey the call of Jesus to become fishers of men.

Interserve India has prioritized mobilizing the Christian young professionals to be involved in cross cultural missions across India and beyond by envisioning them to use their vocations for the glory of God in the market place. May God give us the grace to redeem the younger generation for a better future for the next generation!  John Amalraj


2014, Issue II, INFOCUS

¹Rukmini S, http://www.thehindu.

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