2020 Youth Conference
Franciscan LEAD is a dynamic Catholic leadership, evangelization, and discipleship development experience for high school students. Through a Franciscan LEAD retreat, teens learn how to to effectively witness the faith through personal testimony, sharing the gospel message, radical service, and authentic witness.
Check out the video to find out more!
Franciscan LEAD 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. Our leadership philosophy is based on the foundation that youth leadership flows from a personal relationship with Christ. Therefore, we first give teens the tools to grow closer in their relationship with Jesus and then give them the essentials for servant leadership and evangelization.
Each day of training consists of workshops on discipleship including how to develop a prayer life, overcoming sin through the sacraments, and other practical tools for developing their Catholic 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 faith questions, and being an authentic witness.
“LEAD completely changed my perspective and kickstarted far more spiritual flourishing than I could’ve imagined. I witnessed what it truly meant to live an authentic Christian life, made friendships that have continued to direct me to the heart of the Lord, and attended a college that allowed my relationship with him to advance far more rapidly than it would’ve anywhere else.” // Cody S.
“I am not exaggerating when I say that Franciscan LEAD has changed my life. God has truly anointed this program, and I have seen him do more radically glorious things through Franciscan LEAD than I have in any other ministry in which I have been involved. I will forever be grateful for the foundation of prayer and discipleship that Franciscan LEAD gave me and that it continues to build in others.” // Ana T.
“I went on Franciscan LEAD in high school, feeling incredibly nervous and out of place. All of my fears and nerves were put to rest by the greeting of one of the facilitators, who became one of my best friends and, as all good friends should, continues to point me to the throne of God. To this day, Franciscan LEAD is the best retreat in which I’ve ever participated.” // William D.
“Franciscan LEAD equipped me with the practical tools I needed to follow Christ in my everyday life. It helped me to cultivate an authentic prayer life, to root myself in the sacraments, and it taught me how to be a joyful witness of Christ’s love in the world. Franciscan LEAD was more than an incredible retreat moment during my high-school years – it was a movement that helped me grow into the disciple I am today.” // Lauren K.
Franciscan LEAD takes place the week before a Steubenville Youth Conference. It begins Monday and ends Friday afternoon when the participants join their group for the weekend youth conference.
For more information, tap here to visit the Franciscan LEAD website!
