ZEALOUS WITNESSES FOR CHRIST | KAIROS GLOBAL | JANUARY 2026

Author: Justin PJ

Intro: Justin PJ writes about some of his experiences during his tenure as the national coordinator of Jesus Youth India. 

As National Coordinator of Jesus Youth India, I have had the privilege of witnessing and being part of numerous life-changing experiences. In this article, I would like to share a few experiences that have left an indelible mark on my heart.

Unforgettable Experiences

One of the most remarkable experiences was when a one-month missionary was sent to a village for mission exposure. The village had only a few people attending church, and the priest in charge was considering closing the church due to low attendance. However, after the missionary's visit, the entire village was transformed, and people started attending church regularly. They even began having a weekly Holy Mass, which was a testament to the power of faith and evangelisation.

Another touching experience was of a forerunner who had been waiting for 20 years in prayer to get permission from their spouse to actively participate in the Jesus Youth movement. This dedication and perseverance were truly inspiring.

Commitment and Zeal

As I travelled across India, I was amazed by the commitment and zeal of young hearts for evangelisation. I witnessed remarkable instances of personal sacrifice and dedication among Jesus Youth members. Families took long-term commitments and went on long-term missions with their entire family, showcasing their deep intimacy and love for Christ.

Perseverance in the Face of Challenges

I also came across a young boy who was denied permission to enter a college campus to start a prayer meeting. Undeterred, he walked for kilometres and stood outside the gate for hours, waiting to meet students after class hours. His courage and determination was truly admirable.

Painful and Disappointing Experiences

There were also painful and disappointing experiences. I have seen youths eager to come to church and start prayer meetings, but they were discouraged by authorities, chased out, or faced with various obstacles. These experiences were disheartening, but they also taught me the importance of perseverance and trust in God's plan.

Fulfilling Experiences

It was amazing to see God leading the entire movement beautifully. During our national evaluation meeting, we prayed using the gift of charisms, and I was amazed to see how the messages we received were fulfilled within the next one year – this included the outreach to Nepal, restarting ministries, and more.

One of the most fulfilling experiences was the JaaGo Conference of 2023, which saw a gathering of 17,000 young people.

As a full-timer of the 24th batch, it was a long-held desire of our batch to start a prayer meeting in Mizoram (North-East India). We started praying for this in 2015, and after multiple visits and prayers, we finally had a full-timer take up a mission with his job in Mizoram and start a prayer meeting in one of the colleges.

Throughout my three-year journey as National Coordinator, I was guided by two Bible verses. The first one, My grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9), reminded me that God's grace is always enough, even in times of challenges and difficulties. The second one, Go forth and make disciples (Matthew 28:19), inspired me to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations.

My experience as National Coordinator of Jesus Youth India has been a journey of discovery, growth, and transformation. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and be part of this movement, and the mission continues.