Different Styles, One Mission

"In the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body.”

1 Corinthians 12:13 

In every ministry, there is a rich tapestry of styles, approaches and personalities. Some lead boldly from the front, while others work quietly behind the scenes. Some are visionaries who dream big, while others are meticulous planners who ensure that every detail falls in place. Not every style looks the same. Not every style feels comfortable. Not every style is naturally pleasing. Yet, every style is needed. 

The early Church is proof of this. Peter was impulsive and passionate; Paul was intellectual and strategic; Barnabas was an encourager and bridge-builder. Each had a different approach to mission. Imagine if the early Church had decided that only one style was acceptable. How much of the reach of the Gospel would have been lost? 

In our ministries, this tension is real. Some people are naturally disciplined—they value directives, structure and specific plans. Others thrive in loosely knit communities, where spontaneity and going with the flow bring life and creativity. Some care deeply for specifics and detailed preparation, while others prefer to work on the go, relying on the Spirit to lead in the moment. 

Both approaches are valid and each shines best in different areas: careful planners steady formation, finance and safeguarding; spontaneous evangelisers energise outreach, creative prayer and rapid response; bridge-builders sustain relationships and pastoral care; big-picture dreamers stretch vision. When we sideline one style for another, we lose resources, manpower and heart. The only result of sidelining is frustration, indifference and a weakened mission. 

It is the responsibility of leadership to ensure that all these styles are welcomed, placed well and allowed to flourish, not merely tolerated. This is not theory; it is stewardship of grace. True leadership in Christian ministry is not imposing uniformity but cultivating unity in diversity with transparency and discipline. 

Leaders are called to recognise that the Body of Christ needs every part—the heart that feels, the head that thinks, the hands that serve and the feet that move. St Paul reminds us, “The body does not consist of one member but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:14, NRSV-CE). We need the disciplined and the spontaneous, the planners and the free spirits, the specific thinkers and the big-picture dreamers—all working together for the Kingdom with radical commitment to God. 

A ministry is like a choir: each voice is unique, but when blended together, they create harmony. The role of the leader is to ensure that no voice is drowned out, no gift goes unnoticed and no style is dismissed as unimportant. When this balance is embraced, the mission thrives and the community flourishes. 

As we reflect on our ministries, let us ask: Do we make room for styles different from ours? Are planners and spontaneous ones collaborating rather than competing? Are we encouraging each person and gift to shine under transparent leadership? 

The mission of Christ is far bigger than any single style. When we embrace every gift and approach with disciplined love, we build stronger ministries and a culture of belonging where everyone feels called, valued and empowered to serve.

In Life and Death, We Are His.

 "If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."

(Romans 14:8)

In December 2005, the Karnataka Campus Pool was built around this powerful verse as its central theme, bringing together nearly 200 Jesus Youth campus leaders. It was a milestone event for the Campus Ministry in Karnataka and set the momentum for many fruitful years that followed. It was a powerful time. Many of us felt ready to give our all for Jesus—even to die for Him if needed. But over time, we discovered something even more challenging: to live for Him, every single day, is often harder than dying for Him once.

Throughout the history of the Movement, there have been many moments when giving up everything for Jesus did not feel simple—but people still chose to do it. Time and again, individuals have left their jobs, paused their studies, or stepped into full-time ministry. These courageous decisions continue to inspire and challenge us even today.

But there is another kind of strength—one that often goes unnoticed. It is seen in those who love Jesus while handling family, work pressure and daily responsibilities. They may not leave everything, but they offer their everyday life to God. Their faith shines in quiet moments. They remind us that following Christ is not only about big sacrifices. It is about staying faithful in small, daily choices.

Romans 14:8 is not just about being ready to die for Jesus. It asks us—are we really living for Him? Anyone can feel inspired after a retreat or a powerful session. But when life gets busy or messy, when we face stress, struggles, and disappointments—do we still choose to live for Him?

Living for Jesus is about praying even when we do not feel like it. It is about being kind when we would rather get angry. It is about choosing truth when lying seems easier. It is about loving our family and community even when it is hard. It is about doing our daily duties with joy and faithfulness.

These small choices are like tiny pin-pricks. They are not dramatic, but they shape who we are. They are moments of real surrender. When we choose Jesus in the ordinary, our life becomes an act of worship.

Faith is not a part-time thing. It is not only for prayer meetings or Holy Mass. We belong to Jesus everywhere—at home, at work, in ministry, in school. Every situation gives us a chance to reflect His love.

We honour those who have left everything for God. Their example is powerful. But let us also remember those who serve God quietly in the middle of daily life. Their path also takes courage and deep trust.

In Jesus Youth, we have seen people take bold steps of faith, stepping out of their comfort zones to follow Jesus. It is because of their total commitment—both seen and unseen—that this movement is still alive and bearing fruit today.

Their lives ask us an important question: Are we truly living for Christ—not just in what we say, but in how we live? It is easy to say we belong to Jesus. But do our actions, priorities, and choices show it? This is a call—not to a life of comfort—but to a life of full surrender, every single day.

Let us ask ourselves: Are we ready to live for Him today?

Formed by Faith, Shaped through Toil

 "For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me."

Colossians 1:29 

When we look back at the journey of Jesus Youth, it is clear that this movement was not built through perfect plans or grand strategies. It was shaped through deep faith, bold decisions, simple teamwork, and the constant help of the Holy Spirit. Even when things were uncertain or messy, we trusted that God knew what He was doing, and that trust kept us going.

I remember my early days as a campus leader. We were full of energy, but not always wise. We prayed with fire but also made many mistakes. We sometimes lacked clarity or failed to communicate well. Yet, the Holy Spirit moved—because we were sincere, and we were willing. That willingness made space for grace. 

One strong memory is of a teachers’ program we organised in Bangalore in the early 2000s. We had prepared for fifty teachers. Only five came. It was disappointing at first. But that program taught us more than we expected—about planning, communication and real commitment. And over time, those five teachers became pillars of the campus ministry in Bangalore. That was not our success. That was God’s blessing on our faith and effort. 

We had structures in place—prayer groups, councils, leadership trainings, fellowships, retreats and missions. But these were not always perfectly organised. Many times, we were putting things together on the move, depending on prayer and God’s timing. But something beautiful kept happening—things came together. Not because we were flawless, but because we stayed open to the Spirit and kept moving forward. 

Still, we must remember this truth: Faith without effort is not enough. Trusting in the Lord is essential, but that trust must lead us to action. God works through people who are ready to rise early, prepare well, let go of comfort and face challenges with discipline and courage. The Holy Spirit is not only a Spirit of power—He is also a Spirit of discipline. He helps us grow, not just in prayer, but in the way we work, speak, plan and lead. 

There is a powerful line from St. Ignatius of Loyola that says, “Pray as if everything depends on God. Work as if everything depends on you.” This reminds us that both prayer and action are needed. We cannot stay stuck just because something feels difficult. We cannot stop because a plan failed once. We need to move past small hurdles with faith and perseverance. 

This movement has grown not because people sat back and watched, but because people prayed, prepared and worked together. There were long nights, tough conversations, tears and frustrations. But we were not alone. The Spirit was there—guiding, correcting, encouraging. 

As we continue this journey, let us not settle for comfort or mediocrity. Let us rise with deeper trust in God, and with stronger discipline in our actions. Let us draw strength from the lives of saints, from the wisdom of the Church, and from those who walked before us. Let us be people who work hard, who plan with clarity, who let go of ego and excuses—and who keep saying “yes” even when things are hard. 

Before we move forward, it is good to ask ourselves: Am I trusting God fully, or only when things are easy? Do I give my best even when no one is watching? Am I growing in discipline, or just doing what feels comfortable? Do I keep going when plans fail, or do I give up too soon? Am I truly building for His glory, or waiting for someone else to lead the way? These questions help us realign, not with guilt, but with grace—so that we can grow stronger, deeper, and more available for what God wants to do through us. 

The Holy Spirit loves to work through those who are available and willing to give their best. Let us be that kind of people—Formed by faith. Shaped through toil. Fruitful by grace. This is our story. And it is just beginning.

Yes, Lord – Even When It Hurts

  “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”

Luke 22:42

It is easy to say “Yes, Lord” when everything is going well—when prayers are answered the way we expect, when life feels peaceful, and when our plans and God’s will seem to go hand in hand. But what about those times when things do not go as we had hoped? 

In my own journey, there have been many such moments. 

There were times when I had to resign from my job four times. Each time, I was entrusted with a new responsibility in the movement. These were not permanent full-time missions, but roles given for a specific time. I knew deep inside that it was the right thing to do. Looking back now, I can say with full confidence that God never let me down. He took care of every need, opened new doors and filled every gap. 

But in those moments, it was not easy. Questions from relatives and friends were difficult to answer. “Why would you leave a good job for something uncertain?” “Is it really worth it?” Their concerns came from love, but they left me unsettled. I had no clear answers—only a quiet trust in the One who called. 

Other struggles were more personal. There have been differences in the way I work and the way others do. Misunderstandings, delays and different ways of thinking have often tested my patience. Sometimes I have been tempted to withdraw, to become cold, or even to question if I am in the right place. 

Some of the deepest struggles, though, have been within the family. I have seen my mother pray for certain things for many years—prayers that still seem unanswered. There are times when, instead of standing by her in faith, my own response has been one of indifference or even harsh words. I am not proud of those moments, but they are real. And yet, through it all, God is still patient with me. 

One of the hardest seasons was when my wife Chinchu and I went through a miscarriage. No words can describe the pain of that loss. We had dreams, hopes and prayers—all brought to a sudden stop. And even now, as we continue to wait for the gift of a child, each passing month is a mix of hope and heartache. But in the middle of it all, we are slowly learning to say, “Yes, Lord,” again and again. 

There is also a close family member who has been without a job for nearly two years now. Watching him carry this weight, trying again and again while waiting patiently, has not been easy. We pray. We hope. And still, the silence continues. 

At the same time, I often come across people whose struggles are far heavier than mine. When I listen to them or spend time with them, my own problems suddenly feel smaller. Their quiet endurance teaches me to be more grateful and gentle with my own pain. 

Some pains come quietly. Others arrive suddenly and leave deep marks. 

Just two days before my wedding, Archbishop Abraham—someone who had guided and blessed me with such fatherly care—passed away. I still remember the shock and the silent ache on what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life. During the pandemic, I also lost mentors and dear friends—people who had played significant roles in my spiritual and personal journey. It felt like part of my own story was being taken away. 

And then we look around at the world—the wars, the pain in families, the broken relationships, the many who are struggling silently. Sometimes it feels like too much. 

But in these moments, we remember Jesus in the garden. He did not hide His pain. He was honest with the Father. Yet, He surrendered with courage: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” 

Saying “Yes, Lord” when it feels good is easy. Saying it when we are hurting—that is where faith becomes real. 

Our relationship with Jesus is not about pushing our prayers until they match our plans. It is about trusting His will, even when we do not understand it. It is about learning to walk with Him through both joy and pain—with grace, courage and love. 

As we continue this journey, may we pause and ask ourselves: Are we only joyful when God’s plans match ours? Can we trust Him even when there is no clear answer? Are we willing to say “Yes, Lord” even when it hurts? 

Let us keep walking, with hearts open—not only to His blessings, but to His will. Always.