CALLED TO LEAD 2022 | KAIROS GLOBAL | DECEMBER 2022

Author: Patrick John Padua

Intro: Patrick John Padua shares a brief account of Called to Lead 2022, the JY Australia national leaders training conference. 

Picture this: 55 young, excited leaders from all over from Australia, 20 senior leaders filled with wisdom and experience, and 5 days packed with sessions, music and Mass, all occurring in the picturesque venue of Holy Cross Centre, Templestowe, Melbourne. What you just pictured is ‘Called to Lead 2022’. 

This national training by Jesus Youth for individuals aimed to explore the mission model of Christian discipleship and its relevance to contemporary leadership in ministry lives. This wasn’t your usual leadership training; as Jethin, our National Coordinator beautifully said, ‘You can’t train people, only the Spirit can.’ Rather, this was time for leaders to open themselves up to the Spirit and ask themselves; ‘Am I open to the Spirit’s call?’ 

Exceptional resources such as CC Joseph from India, Sr Rosie an MGL nun and Brian Welch, a Catholic lay street preacher, were present to help the participants understand more about themselves, their call to mission, discipleship, and stewardship. It’s hard to put into words that profound impact ‘Called to Lead’ had on the participants and myself, but one thing is clear, there is a blazing fire within us, a blazing fire to go be missionaries, a blazing fire to say ‘Yes’ to the Spirit, a blazing fire to share the Spirit to all. 

We may have met each other as strangers, but we went back home as family, that’s for certain. I will conclude with this question for thought: Where is the Spirit leading you?

Currently studying double major in marketing and management, Patrick John Padua lives in Perth, Western Australia with his parents and sisters.