WHAT IS LEAD?

Franciscan LEAD is a dynamic Catholic leadership opportunity for teens that are ready to step up to the next level in leadership and evangelization. It is a five-day, Christ-centered, sacrament-soaked, prayer-fueled immersion in Catholic teachings on leadership, evangelization, and discipleship inspired by the life and witness of St. Francis of Assisi. Franciscan LEAD is directed and facilitated by well-trained young adults and youth ministers and will equip and empower high school youth to witness the Catholic faith to their peers and prepare them for ongoing service in evangelization. The week is rooted in the truths of Scripture, the Catechism, and the lives of the saints. Each day of training will consist of workshops on discipleship including how to develop a prayer life, overcoming sin through the Sacraments, and other practical tools for developing their faith. The week will also include evangelization training on being an effective witness through topics such as how to share their personal testimony, servant leadership, how to answer difficult questions about Catholicism, and being an authentic witness.

Watch a Short Video About Franciscan LEAD

Listen to an Audio Interview About Franciscan LEAD

I went into the LEAD week totally nervous and having a few problems with my faith, and came out feeling strong and confident in my faith as a soldier of God. Throughout the week all my fears about who I was and what I had to do vanished. I found confidence and strength in God and I slowly, through the week, realized that God has it all under control and that He loved me for who I was.

Youth LEAD Participant

WHO & WHY?

LEADERSHIP EVANGELIZATION AND DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING

WHO? Youth can apply to participate in Franciscan LEAD for the summer after their freshman year in high school through the summer after their senior year in high school. Applicants must be a registered conference participant at one of the Steubenville Youth Conferences this summer. We are looking for youth who…
… Love Jesus and His Church
… Are ready to take their Catholic faith to the next level
… Want to learn how to share their love of Christ with friends and classmates
… Want to go deeper in prayer
… Want to inspire others to answer Christ's radical call to love and serve

WHY? Franciscan LEAD offers a distinctively Catholic perspective on leadership. The specific skills and competencies taught are:

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Present Jesus as the model of servant-leadership
Train teens to bring integrity to all areas of their lives
Discuss the habits and practices of effective leadership
Discern and nurture unique gifts of leadership in individual participants

DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING

Nurture and encourage ongoing conversion through participation in the life of the Church
Crystallize the centrality of a personal relationship with the living Christ
Study and experience various forms of prayer and developing a consistent prayer life
Equip and empower teens to overcome sin and the lies of their culture through the Sacraments, daily examination of conscience, and personal devotion.

EVANGELIZATION TRAINING

How to effectively share the core of the Gospel message through relationship ministry
Develop, write, and share a personal testimony
How to memorize and pray with Scripture
Answering difficult faith questions

APPLY FOR LEAD

Franciscan LEAD is for youth who are passionate about their Catholic faith, active in their youth group, and ready to step up to the next level of leadership through evangelization and discipleship training!

HOW DO I APPLY?

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APPLY NOW!