Diocesan Youth Core Group Established

Under the guidance of His Grace Mar Awa Royel, the Bishop of California, and the leadership of Reverend Genard Lazar, the diocese of California has established a Diocesan Youth Core Group to oversee the spiritual ministries that are and will be made available to the youth of the diocese. “The focal mission of this group,” Reverend Genard states, “is to strive for the betterment of the current ministries. In addition, this group will explore various avenues to reach out to the youth of our Church and Nation which, through God’s gracious strength, will draw them closer to their loving Creator and Savior Jesus Christ.” The DYCG is made up of deacons and youth leaders from the five parishes in the Diocese: Mar Addai Parish (Turlock), Mar Gewargis Parish (Ceres), Mar Narsai Parish (San Francisco), Mar Zaia Cathedral (Modesto), and Mar Yosip Parish (San Jose).

The first meeting of the DYCG took place on July 17, 2010. H.G Mar Awa addressed the group at that initial meeting and beseeched the Lord’s blessings for the work that would be established and led by the DYCG. The preliminary meeting included discussions about the current state of the bible studies in the diocese and how they can be improved. Since then the group has met again to discuss the work of the various sub-committees that have been established to work on outreach and prison ministries.

Ammo Benjamin, the youth president at Mar Zaia Cathedral, hopes that the work of the DYCG will “encourage the older members of the youth groups, ones over 20 years old, to be involved in the Church, both in spiritual ministries and various committees.” Likewise, Edesa Betkolia, former youth president of Mar Yosip Parish expressed her desire to help her “younger brothers and sisters in Christ who are beginning to get involved in Church.” Like other members of the DYCG, she hopes that her work in this group will help her grow closer to God and help others grow closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We ask that you keep the DYCG of California in your prayers so that the work they do will be for the glory of God and the benefit of the faithful.