Life Teen Inc.

Overview

Life Teen Inc. is a prominent Catholic youth ministry organization in the United States. Founded in 1985 at St. Timothy's Parish in Mesa, Arizona, Life Teen aims to deepen teenagers' and their families' relationship with Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church. The organization operates programs in over 1,900 parishes across 26 countries, making it the largest nonprofit youth ministry movement within the Catholic Church.

Programs and Services

Life Teen offers a range of programs tailored to support Catholic youth ministry. These include:

• Parish-Based Programs: Life Teen provides resources and training to empower parishes to create effective high school and middle school ministries. Their programs focus on Eucharistic spirituality, relational ministry, and evangelization.
• Summer Camps: Operated at Camp Hidden Lake and Camp Covecrest in Georgia, these camps offer a faith-enriching experience for teenagers through games, outdoor activities, prayer, and sacramental participation.
• Training Events: Life Teen hosts conferences and workshops to equip youth leaders and priests with effective ministry strategies. These events are held globally, covering multiple continents.
• Edge Program: Launched in 2003 for middle school pupils, this program is used by hundreds of parishes across several countries to engage younger youth in Catholic teachings.

Core Values

Life Teen emphasizes several core values designed to foster spiritual growth and community among its participants. These values include:

• Eucharistic Spirituality: Focus on the sacrament of the Eucharist as central to Christian life.
• Love: Demonstrating care and love towards participants.
• Joy: Celebrating the joy of living with Christ.
• Affirmation: Providing support and encouragement to participants.
• Authenticity: Encouraging genuine faith expression.
• Evangelization: Inviting all to deepen their faith.
• Primary Vocation: Ensuring that leaders prioritize family responsibilities alongside ministry commitments.

Impact

Life Teen has significantly influenced the vocations of many Catholics. Despite being active in fewer than 10% of American parishes, it is notable that a substantial percentage of current seminarians have been involved with the Life Teen program during their teenage years. This highlights the organization's role in shaping the next generation of Catholic leaders.

Financial Status

Life Teen Inc. operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its financial structure includes significant revenue from program services and contributions, which support its extensive network of youth ministry programs and events. Donations to Life Teen are tax-deductible, contributing to its mission to engage Catholic youth worldwide.

Leadership

The organization is led by a dedicated administrative team headed by President and CEO Randy Raus. Other key leaders include Mark Hart, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Steve Allgeyer, Vice President of Ministry Advancement, and several other vice presidents specializing in different areas of ministry.

Mission

Life Teen's mission is to lead teenagers and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Through its multifaceted programs and activities, it seeks to become a transformative force for Catholic youth worldwide.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Teen [2] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/860602592 [3] https://www.guidestar.org/profile/86-0602592 [4] https://lifeteen.com/2024-donate/ [5] https://lifeteen.com