A Journey I Never Planned (BJRE103)
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." — Spoken at the Jesus Youth Leaders' Retreat, 1986
The Beginning
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. That word spoken in 1986 didn't feel urgent then. Yet it lodged somewhere deep, waiting.
Criticism, when received well, is always helpful.
— On being told his writing read like a Church documentA 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. But I kept hearing the same refrain from leaders: "You're writing in the tone of Church documents. It's so boring to read."
A New Chapter
The Kairos Turning Point
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.
Two Editions. One Mission.
What began as a single article for Malayalam Kairos in 2015 grew into a monthly rhythm spanning two languages — weaving the movement's past into guidance for its present. Decades of memory, made current for every new reader.
Milestones
A Movement Built Over Decades
The writing journey draws deeply from lived history — a movement built milestone by milestone, each shaping the next.
The Renewal
Attended a renewal program and joined a vibrant prayer group — the spark that set the journey in motion.
Gathering the Young
As the charismatic movement in Kerala consolidated, a new responsibility emerged: bringing young people together. A network was built, a large conference organized.
Vision Clarification
A crucial milestone — the movement's core vision was articulated and refined, giving the growing community a shared direction.
The First Line
Formation of a leadership group called the First Line — the movement's inner backbone, shaped to carry the vision forward.
Jesus Youth '85
A landmark conference held during the International Year of Youth — a moment that made the movement's reach undeniable.
The Anointing Word
"As I pray, I see a pen. The Lord anoints you to write." Spoken at the leaders' retreat — not yet understood, but never forgotten.
First Written Vision
A bishops' conference gathering. An overnight challenge: write the movement's vision. The group approved it — and a writing ministry was born.
Kairos Malayalam Series
Chackochan's invitation to weave history and vision into a new series — memories becoming a living resource for a new generation.
Kairos Global
The English edition launches. The monthly rhythm continues — and the pen that was anointed in 1986 has not rested since.
The Heart of It
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.
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. My hope is that this offers some direction to today's groups and their leaders.
The Creative Process
How I Usually Write
The articles don't come from a desk alone. They come from movement — from conversations, from quiet, and from prayer.
Listen
For experiences and inspiration — from people, during prayer, on a walk. Capturing before they slip away.
Capture
Sometimes voice-typing while walking. Sometimes reaching for the phone during prayer and starting to type.
Focus
Finding what is most prominent. The guiding question: what distinctive way does Jesus Youth approach this challenge?
Write
Communicate it in a way that is both understandable and engaging. Sometimes quick; sometimes considerably longer.
My focus is always the same question: what distinctive way does Jesus Youth approach and respond to a given challenge?
And there is always a deadline — one that Tanya Rose reliably reminds me of, sometimes once and sometimes again, before I finally send it to her.
Study & Reflection
Material That Travels the World
A few years ago, the International Council decided to provide clear guidance for the new JY councils and teams. Sessions focused on building missionary communities — a theme that also runs through many of the Kairos articles.
There was a lovely rhythm to how these sessions were organized. 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. A brief introduction, and then a rich, free-flowing conversation about the theme.
A Habit Worth Keeping
Any article or study material is now published online — through blogs — so that anyone researching Jesus Youth can find citable sources. Several blogs are maintained for this purpose. What exists can be found. What can be found can be used. And what can be used might just change someone's direction.
Kairos has also published collections in both Malayalam and English, which have become handy tools for study and reflection. Leaders have found these articles useful for reflection or training and have incorporated them into local programs across many countries and groups.
Reflection
Looking Back — And Forward
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.
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