Building Momentum: Youth Mobilization Opportunities Across Europe
November 2024
After our International Conference in 2023, the SM Europe GRT felt challenged to address Youth Mobilization in depth at their Regional Gathering in Helsinki (May 2024). This focus comes from not just an intrinsic need and dream to engage more young people, but also for leaders to reflect on YM as part of everyone’s calling in mobilization.
With this in mind, Caleb and I set off on a 4-month journey from May to July, and then October, to engage, support and understand better the European context on YM efforts. We began by engaging with our leaders at their regional conference in Helsinki. We continued by helping launch The Unfinished Story for Youth (TUSfY) in Sweden, Romania and Bulgaria (in its respective languages) and later running 2 trials of the Youth Mobilization Workshop in England.
As we worked together, it became clear that Europe is full of open doors and opportunities for youth mobilization. Furthermore, conversations and efforts highlighted the impact of intergenerational collaboration when wisdom and experience meet innovation and fresh perspectives.
Youth Mobilization is definitely much more than running courses or promoting an event, it’s an intentional paradigm of all mobilization efforts. It was inspiring to witness great and experienced mobilizers feeling challenged to communicate with younger generations. Many leaders were constantly amazed by the contribution younger participants would give in the courses and praised their interest and active participation.
The passionate insights from TUSfY participants (from 12 to 30 years old) also highlighted how much our leadership structures and teams could benefit from having more representation from different generations.
As we reflect on the lessons learned during our 5-month journey across Europe, one thing is clear: youth mobilization is not a fleeting trend but a necessary, long-term investment in the future of global mission. This movement requires all hands-on deck. Experienced leaders and young mobilizers alike have a unique role to play in shaping the future, and when we unite our efforts, we create a dynamic force for change.
As we move forward, let’s continue to open doors, create platforms, and intentionally invest in the young people who will lead the change in living out God’s mission across Europe—and beyond.
The future is bright, and it’s one we must build together.
