Tradition is absent from or getting lost in the lives of many youth. We must share our traditions of prayer and stories about United Methodist work with the poor, the imprisoned, the sick, the uneducated and those affected by war. Our prayers and stories can dispel youth's feelings of isolation in a world of globalization. They can find their places in God's mission. Through study and discussion, youth learn to use their God-given gift of reason as they contemplate and develop beliefs.
Experience is probably the easiest way for adults to help youth be in mission.
Hands-on work, whether it is building a house or working at a homeless shelter, opens doors to youth as they meet new people from cultures different than their own or go into unfamiliar situations. Planting the seeds Michael Williams, a youth-conference participant, spent the weekend of July 10 teaching, reading and playing games with children in a poor neighborhood in North Philadelphia. By the end of the weekend, he realized that parts of the United States are economically depressed as are as parts of his home country of Liberia. But he knew no one in Liberia would believe this. Mr. Williams' experience, and his response to it, provide a model for helping youth deal with our world's paradoxes as they seek God's will in their lives.