[Press Release] New youth initiative connects faith and civic action

Strengthening engagement in public life

Rather than focusing only on identifying challenges, they explored how faith and Lutheran theology can shape responses to injustice and strengthen engagement in public life. Through theological reflection, prayer and peer learning, they examined how the gospel calls Christians to uphold human dignity, defend human rights and contribute to just and peaceful societies. They also discussed how to build stronger partnerships through church-based and ecumenical networks.

Many young people are already engaged in some form of advocacy for change and transformation in church and the wider society, thus the workshop sought to build on such momentum with elevated skills. “Faith that stays silent in the face of suffering is not the faith that Jesus modelled,” Nassar noted.

The discussions challenged assumptions about what civic engagement looks like. John Jacob of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria said the workshop had helped him understand that creating impact can begin with small, intentional actions.

“I learned that I do not need to wait for a huge project before making a difference,” he said. “I can start where I am, speak up, take action and contribute to building a more just and humane society.”

Anderson Strohm, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, said he especially found the small group conversations meaningful. “The organized speaking time allowed us to talk about youth leadership and the challenges present in our communities, and our role in bringing and building the change we want to see in our churches,” he explained.

Young people’s energy, creativity, and strong voice are assets for influencing democracy in a meaningful way, said Amos Kanunga, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. He noted that “through voting, leadership, social media, and community participation, youth can promote positive change, accountability, and development in society.”

For LWF Program Executive for Youth Savanna Sullivan, the workshop responds to a growing desire among young people to connect faith with civic action.