CHALLENGED BY FAITH AND COMMITMENT | KAIROS GLOBAL | DECEMBER 2022

Author: Anu Pinheiro

Intro: As his term comes to a close, the current JY International Coordinator, Shoy Thomas, in a conversation with Anu Pinheiro, looks back on his beginnings in Jesus Youth, his continued journey with the Lord and the various responsibilities he has held along the way.

Shoy Thomas in a nutshell is a pragmatic, no-nonsense, down-to-earth guy and it has been my joy to work with him in the Jesus Youth movement across the years. Taking charge as leader and team builder, I have seen how he takes the time to observe before making his opinions known rather than speaking out the first thing that comes to his mind. These and other such qualities have endeared him to the movement as it entrusted him with several responsibilities across the years. The Lord has a special plan for him and as Shoy spoke of his faith life and mission, I am convinced that there’s a lot more in store.

Something about yourself.

I am Shoy Thomas and I am married to Chinchu Maria Francis. I was born and raised in Bangalore, India and got a Jesus Youth exposure from there. My parents have recently moved to Kerala and my sister continues to live in Bangalore with her family. 

My first encounter with the Jesus Youth movement was through a campus meet organised in1999. To be honest, I was far from impressed by it and decided not to attend any more Jesus Youth programmes again. But my close friends in Bangalore were keen on follow-up and somehow, they managed to take me back to Jesus Youth groups. In 2000, they convinced me to attend another Jesus Youth retreat. This second programme did not bring any radical change in me either, but the good thing was that through it, I made several good friends who motivated me to live a life of prayer. After that retreat, we started a prayer meeting at Christ University and I was part of a five-member team in charge of this. This brought me closer to the movement. Initially, it was the fellowship that motivated me to be regular for prayer meetings; I made it a point never to miss a meeting.

Later it became a conviction for me – of my call to the responsibility of evangelisation. I came to the realisation that God loves me and is calling me to his evangelistic mission. The small prayer meetings, sometimes on the terraces of my friends’ houses, deepened my God experience and moulded the missionary in me. I remember having powerful God experiences even while playing with my friends on the street, on the football ground, and in the informal interactions in the campuses.

Thoughts and reactions on getting chosen as the International Coordinator.

There were many big and small responsibilities entrusted to me before I became the International Coordinator. I was a part of the Christ College Core Team, Bangalore Campus Team, Karnataka Campus Team and later became its Coordinator in 2004. I was chosen as the Karnataka Council Coordinator in 2009. I was totally surprised when I got elected as the National Coordinator of Jesus Youth India in 2013. This responsibility needed me to take a full time commitment. I was initially reluctant to take up the responsibility. But I was reminded of Mathew 6:33 (Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you). Taking a three-year full-time commitment as National Coordinator seemed extremely unrealistic to me, but the reminder from Scripture gave me the grace to take up this responsibility. Later when I got elected as the International Coordinator in 2018, it once again convinced me that it was not one’s capability but the call that empowers us. The way the Lord led me through incredible circumstances strengthened my convictions and helped me respond positively to the call of international coordinator.

Some of the challenges along the way.

I am so grateful to recollect and testify how miraculously God led me through the Covid period – full of uncertainties and confusion. Even personal problems got amplified. Gradually I witnessed how new challenges turned into unusual blessings in ministry as well as in my personal life. Thankfully I got ample time for introspection and correction which helped me focus and work deeply on personal holiness and spirituality. It was refreshing for me. I completed my formation course on time and altogether could bring discipline and order to my life and ministry activities. 

It was during the pandemic that we lost some of our legendary leaders like Fr Cherian Nereveetil, Sr Thresiamma, and a few others, which was very painful for me. Beyond the pain, it gave me strong convictions about the importance of living a holy life on this planet before our time comes. 

As the world is returning to normalcy post Covid, the Jesus Youth movement is also finding new beginnings with deeper convictions and newer styles. We have adapted to a hybrid working pattern which is adding to the grace.

Anything you would do differently. 

Nothing different I would say as it was not me but God who worked through me. All these are His plans which were perfectly executed through me. I don't think that God’s plan needs a plan B and no plan could be better than God’s. I praise God for his perfect plan being executed through me in my life and in the movement.

Family’s support and viewpoint.

Chinchu, my wife is the perfect gift that I have received. She was already a Jesus Youth before our marriage and I would say she is a better Jesus Youth than me in many ways. She is the coordinator of the Jesus Youth household we are part of and she is very much aware of the responsibilities and commitments of an international coordinator. She is a silent supporter me in all my activities.

During my earlier years of Jesus Youth ministering, I couldn't suitably convince my family and they were concerned about my studies and future while I spent time for Jesus Youth activities. I failed to be a witness at home. But later they noticed the positive changes in my life and personality and the good friendships acquired overwhelmed them. They were happy that I remained close to God and the Holy Catholic Church but at the same time, they had concerns regarding my personal life which were timely answered by God and I count my wedding with Chinchu as the greatest of all gifts.

Experience of meeting people from across the world.

I passed out of college in 2005. The world has changed radically in all fields over these years. Among all the good changes around the globe, it’s a bit alarming to notice that religious affiliation of youngsters has come down drastically. Youth today do not want to be associated with anything that is religious and they confine themselves to a personal space, which I don’t think is a positive sign.

The youth now centre their lives on many questions including, ‘Who is God?’, ‘Does God exist?’, ‘Who am I?’, ‘What is the purpose of my life?’ or ‘How can I contribute more to society?’ The radical change that happens to such a person from a strong encounter experience makes more fruits than otherwise. The encounter could be from the Church, prayer, community, Word of God, or even from friendships, acts of kindness, hospitality, creativity, art, or music, and the kind of change it makes is immense. It is pure happiness to see and witness these changes.

It’s very important to have mentors to accompany them in their faith journey to live a radically challenging and joyful life, becoming strong witnesses of the Gospel. The life of Ajna George portrays this journey beautifully. It was such an inspiration to know people like Ajna. Many silent, unsung heroes like Ajna are there in all parts of the world. I was many-a-time surprised to see the strong faith and Christ-centred lives of people in developed countries, who live lives of abundance and are free to do anything they wish. Similarly, nothing stops many brave people in developing countries to seek faith irrespective of their instability or financial problems.

People from all over the world have challenged me with their faith and radical commitment to the Church and movement. I often wonder and praise God when big families make time for Church and Jesus Youth activities. I know of several young people who have stepped out of their comfort zone by resigning comfortable jobs, taking up challenging responsibilities and moving into unknown territories for the purpose of building mission. 

People are different across the world, and trends have changed but the commitment they show towards the Church and the movement is beyond words.

Anu Pinheiro lives in Cochin with her husband, Shelton and their two daughters, Andrea and Isabel.