Are you a keystone, one who holds everything together? (BJRE102)

Are you a keystone, one who holds everything together?

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Global Magazine in 2026)

We were discussing how to strengthen one of the Jesus Youth regions. A few months ago, all the leaders gathered, formed clusters to work more effectively, and began meeting enthusiastically. But after a couple of meetings, most people lost interest. Anu concluded her sharing, saying, "Now we are almost back to square one. Where do we go from here?"

I thought to myself, but is this a new problem? Isn't this what every group, every ministry faces? I also thought of a question that often comes up in interactive sessions with youth: You have been in this active work for so many decades. What is the secret of this continuity?

What prevents groups from crumbling?

I recall the endings of many earlier student leaders' gatherings. From June 1986 onward, Jesus Youth began a focused effort to build college groups and activities. To that end, we held all sorts of student meetups. Youngsters came in distracted, but after the weekend, they would leave highly motivated to work and build.

The closing challenge was always interesting. I would ask those attending to raise their hands if they were one of the 10 from a single college. Many proud hands would go up. Then I would ask for five to ten, then two to five. Finally, I would ask those who were the only representative from their college to raise their hands. Many discouraged hands would go up. Then I would say I had the greatest hope for these solitary ones, for they would put in 100% effort — there was no one else in that vast institution to rely on. When you are ten, there is a real possibility you might assume others will carry the load, and each puts in only 10%. Everyone would laugh, and then I would ask each person to work as though they were the sole hope for all their friends and their entire institution.

In a sense, the miracle of Jesus Youth is simply the fruit of an ever-growing number of ordinary people with a relentless sense of responsibility. Each of them believes that to build God's kingdom, they cannot look to anyone else — only to the Lord — and must wholeheartedly do their part, now and always. Surprisingly, this sense of call and anointing may be absent in many talented people, yet present in some very ordinary ones.

Called to be a keystone

One very striking image in the Bible is the keystone — the topmost stone in a large Roman arch. A foundation stone or cornerstone is similar, but a keystone is especially fascinating. The dictionary describes it as the central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together. In those days, a great arch would stand erect without cement or mortar, with all stones stacked one upon another and finally secured by a single keystone. Remove that stone, and the entire edifice crumbles. So remarkable!

Jesus is the keystone of humanity and the universe, holding everything together. Each of us is called to be such a keystone in our own right. If there are no foundational people with deep ownership within a group, that community will soon disappear.

Without the keystone, groups and ministries perish

"Let us have a team and a leader." But that does not automatically ensure ownership.

"We need a good system and a set of guidelines." The Jews boasted of their innumerable laws, yet that very boast became their greatest stumbling block.

"Let us have more training and retreats." Study and formation can become ends in themselves, but the real need is to do God's work.

"Pray a lot! The Lord must act." Better still — pray, and then do the Lord's will.

Each of the above is a vital ingredient in building God's work within a ministry or group. Yet, in a very real sense, a deeply responsible person who takes ownership becomes the main switch that draws all these elements together and ensures their effective operation.

We have models everywhere

The Jesus Youth movement has produced and sent forth numerous keystones. After high school, Arun went to college. As he walked in, his first resolve was to gather others and build a vibrant group. He did that, and much more. Within a few months, together with his friends, he began building fellowships across many nearby institutions. Smitha went to a new country and became foundational to the vibrant network that grew there. Many would lose heart along the way, but she had the grit to keep everyone alive and moving forward.

Look into the Bible and the history of the Church, and you encounter outstanding keystones at every turn. What is their secret? Intelligence, education, skill, cultural background? We know well that Moses lacked confidence, David was overlooked within his own family, and Francis did not come from a spiritually rich home. Most outstanding builders of God's Kingdom came from ordinary circumstances — yet at some point, they heard the Lord's call. As they responded wholeheartedly, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This led to their transformation, and they performed miracles. Most of them also had a nurturing community and a way of life suited to their new calling.

What do they hold together?

In a building, a keystone holds the other stones in place by virtue of its position, gravity, and the builder's craft. The result is both surprising and beautiful. But in Christian work, what do human keystones hold together? This reveals something of their role and working style.

1. Relational wizards: They bring people together, foster reconciliation, and encourage everyone around them. For any meeting, Arun arrives first and leaves only after the last person has gone.

2. Live wires: They are the heartbeat of the ministry, infusing it with energy and fresh ideas.

3. Keepers of memory and aspiration: They have a deep sense of time — reminding everyone of the past and helping them look towards the future with hope.

4. Cultural custodians: Every family or group carries a distinct culture, and that makes all the difference. It is tied to the group's core vision. A good leader discerns it and builds upon it.

In other words, a keystone person carries deep ownership, is full of life, and endures. They are always present, see the need, step in, love all and pray for them, spot people and follow up, and carry a sense of both history and future. They are promise-keepers, enthusiastic initiators, long-term builders, humble contributors, friendly collaborators, kingdom enthusiasts, and Wind-feelers. They hold a group in their hands and carry it forward.

Finally,

I began by discussing how groups disintegrate and the rallying call at those student gatherings. When I told those young people that they were appointed to transform an entire institution — almost single-handedly — they believed it and responded with generosity. And they made a real difference.

But do individuals alone serve as keystones? Surely not. Just as one person can play a central role in a ministry, a well-motivated and united group of Jesus Youth can accomplish far greater marvels. Small or large communities and teams can be pivotal in the journey of the people of God. In Jesus Youth, a vibrant small group or prayer group often carries a significance far beyond its size. May the great Keystone shape each of us after His own image and set each of us in place as a keystone — wherever we are.