A JOURNEY I NEVER PLANNED | KAIROS GLOBAL | JULY 2026

Author: Dr Edward Edezhath

Intro Dr Edward Edezhath, one of the pioneers of the Jesus Youth movement, writes the regular column, Jesus Youth, which describes the dynamics of this international movement. 

A Journey I Never Planned

Mixing Memories and Inspirations for a Focused Mission

‘As I pray, I see a pen. The Lord anoints you to write.’ That message, spoken at the Jesus Youth leaders' retreat in 1986, didn't mean much to me then. Yet it has since become the heart of my ministry. The retreat grew out of Fr Thuruthimattom's fervent wish: ‘You all are strong in vision, and in the use of charisms – learning from each other can be great.’ It was at that gathering that the word about writing came to me, and it became a reality many years later.

My Entry into the World of Writing

Though I was already a professor, engaged in learning, teaching, and some writing, I never thought of connecting that work with my mission or with Jesus Youth. A turning point came in 1993. At a gathering of youth movements convened by the bishops' conference, our Jesus Youth team was asked to present its vision in writing. ‘Write something brief and present it to the group tomorrow,’ I was told. After much struggle, I wrote a short description of our movement. Everyone said it was good – and that nudged me onto the path of writing about the vision of Jesus Youth.

From then on, whenever something needed to be written about the movement's vision and mission, it often fell to me – a journal piece, a write-up for bishops, a final statement from a conference, or a reflection on a Church document. My writing mission took shape across many settings. But I kept hearing the same refrain from leaders: ‘You're writing in the tone of Church documents. It's so boring to read.’ That too helped me. Criticism, when received well, is always helpful.

A significant turning point came in 2015. Chackochan, Chief Editor of Malayalam Kairos, called to ask if I could write about the movement's vision – weaving in history and memories. That sparked a new series in Malayalam. When Kairos Global launched in 2016, he suggested I do something similar for the English edition. I kept expecting the requests to stop, but they came month after month, and I kept writing. That continues to this day.

Keeping Ears and Heart Open

Though I no longer hold any formal responsibility in Jesus Youth, leaders and teams regularly invite me for what they call ‘a sitting’. I get to know those present, listen to their thoughts and challenges, and share whatever insights I can. I find this deeply enriching. Through these conversations, I have learned much about what the Holy Spirit is doing in Jesus Youth – through various initiatives and amid the struggles different groups face. But there is something more: I find myself connecting what I hear to memories from the very beginning of my journey in the movement.

That journey began in 1976, when I attended a renewal programme and joined a vibrant prayer group. In 1978, as the Charismatic movement in Kerala consolidated, I took on a new responsibility: bringing young people together. We built a network, organised a large conference, and carried the work forward. Milestones followed – vision clarification in 1981, the formation of a leadership group called the First Line in 1982, and eventually the conference known as Jesus Youth '85, held during the International Year of Youth. These foundational steps taught me many lessons, and my conversations with today's leaders continue to bring fresh clarity to that journey and new insights into the movement's path forward.

What I write each month in Kairos is often the fruit of what I hear from these leaders, set alongside older memories. In my articles, many of today's people come alive – sometimes by their real names, sometimes under fictitious names – connected to events from thirty, forty, or fifty years ago. I hope that this offers some direction to today's groups and their leaders.

How I Usually Write

I often listen for experiences and inspiration – from people, during prayer, on a walk. I try not to lose these, since they slip away quickly. Sometimes, even while walking, I voice-type my thoughts; at other times, I reach for my phone during prayer and start typing. After significant conversations, I write down what I've captured. The next challenge is finding a focus for the article. That's not always easy, but I look for what is most prominent in the conversations, hold onto it, and sketch an outline.

My focus is always the same question: what distinctive way does Jesus Youth approach and respond to a given challenge? That can be explored from many angles. As I write, the task is to communicate it in a way that is both understandable and engaging. Sometimes it comes together quickly; at other times it takes considerably longer. And there is always a deadline – one that Tania Rose reliably reminds me of, sometimes once and sometimes again, before I finally send it to her.

Material for Study and Reflection

A few years ago, the International Council decided to provide clear guidance for the new Jesus Youth councils and teams. My sessions focused on building missionary communities – a theme that also runs through many of my Kairos articles.

There was a lovely rhythm to how these sessions were organised. Febina from the UK would contact the country council, set a date, and share relevant Kairos articles in advance. The group would join the Zoom meeting. I would offer a brief introduction, and then we'd have a rich, free-flowing conversation about the theme.

Similar study sessions have taken place across various countries and groups. Leaders have found these articles useful for reflection or training and have incorporated them into local programmes. Kairos has also published collections in both Malayalam and English, which have become handy tools for study and reflection.

I now make it a habit to publish online – through blogs – any articles or study materials I write. This became important when people researching Jesus Youth began requesting citable sources. I maintain several blogs for this purpose.

Looking back, I see that what began as a surprise was never an accident. The Lord had a plan, and this writing journey has been part of it. Along the way, it has taught me to listen more closely to the Spirit's quiet promptings, to treasure what He has done through Jesus Youth, and to articulate where we are headed. These articles may not reach everyone they could – but I am at peace with that. What matters is that they exist. Anyone who wants to explore the story of Jesus Youth, wrestle with its vision, or draw on its lessons will find them here.

Chevalier Dr Edward Edezhath is a pioneer of the Jesus Youth movement. He was the convener of its early youth team in 1978, the reconstituted Kerala Youth Central Team (KYCT) in 1983, and the landmark Jesus Youth 85 conference. He served as Associate Professor of English at St Albert's College (Autonomous), Cochin, India, and holds a PhD from Mahatma Gandhi University (1999) for his research on the dramatic narratives of Robert Frost. His scholarly interests span the culture and history of Cochin, folk traditions of Kerala, youth leadership, and Catholic ecclesial movements. He has been conferred the title of Chevalier by the Holy See. He currently lives in the United States and travels internationally, helping Jesus Youth leaders and groups in their spiritual journey.