We help ministry leaders to become missionary leaders, who in turn work to foster a culture of mission within each parish. Dallas is a big diocese, and the only feasible way to impact the thousands of youth and young adults throughout the diocese is to follow the example of The Way. The master plan for evangelization crafted by Jesus Christ himself was to foster disciples—those who would carry on the efficacy of the God-Man’s legacy—who would in turn cultivate the growth of more disciples.
Intrinsic to every human being’s core need is the person of Jesus Christ. True missionaries never stop witnessing to that need and the joy that abounds from knowing the person from whom the need exists. Further, the witness of a missionary is always offered through the lens of the culture and charism of the community served. Every decision made or project initiated by the Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries, no matter its size or impact, is done through the lens of this mission—to make missionaries.
Spiritual Formation
Jesus Christ cares more about each person’s individual heart above what he or she can produce for the Kingdom. Ministry Leaders seek to be a reservoir of God’s abundant grace, sharing only in excess from the overflow, rather than a channel reserving nothing for oneself. A Ministry Leader must never allow their ministry to distract them from the work of personal discipleship and their own relationship with the Father.
Human Formation
The work of ministry can be quite demanding. In order to sustain longevity in working for the Church, Ministry Leaders need to devote aggressive attention to the needs of their person: dedication to their primary vocation; healthy and life-giving relationships with others; care of their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Intellectual Formation
Curiosity and a hunger for knowledge ensures the Ministry Leader continues to uphold the importance of the truth which we communicate in light of the Gospel. While particular attention needs to be given to the study of Theology, Scripture, and the Sacraments, it is also beneficial to invest in interdisciplinary studies that can be applied to the ministry setting.
Operational Formation
The work of ministry is aided by efficiency tools, standard operating procedures, and organizational systems. When employed properly, these ministry aids allow Ministry Leaders more space for creativity and more time for relationship-building. Attention to the operational components of ministry can eliminate the energy spent on routine tasks, the burden of managing paperwork, and the too-common drama of a job done without proper care.
Pastoral Formation
The Good Shepherd has entrusted Ministry Leaders with the souls within their ministries. In the Spirit of Christ, Ministry Leaders are to approach those with whom they minister with an attitude of reverence for the sacred that dwells within each person. Ministry Leaders are to know their people and communities well in order to best respond to their needs with the love of the Gospel.
Methodological Formation
The Church is challenged to keep pace with a rapidly changing society. While there is timeless simplicity and fruitfulness in the Biblical principles left to us by Christ, there is a necessity that our ministries remain audaciously creative and innovative in developing methodologies that can deliver the Gospel in effective ways. All methodologies aim at communicating the love of Jesus and fostering discipleship.
Who We Serve
The Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries supports the mission of the Bishop to teach, govern, and sanctify the faithful in the Diocese of Dallas.
Our office primarily serves ministry leaders who have been empowered by their Pastor/Director with the role to coordinate ministry with middle school-aged, high school-aged, college-aged, and young adult individuals within their entity. Ministry Leaders may be full-time, part-time, or volunteer.
Ministry Leaders have access to our monthly eGram communications.
Secondarily to ministry leaders, our office serves Ministry Team Volunteers, as well as direct constituents (middle school-aged, high school-aged, college-aged, and young adult individuals). Ministry Team Volunteers support ministry within their entity by following the leadership of their Ministry Leader.
Ministry Team Volunteers receive communication from the OYYACM through their Ministry Leaders.