Exodus Formation
A three-year journey—plus one—forming mature missionary disciples. Teens are at its core, walked alongside by volunteers and stewards from our Young Adults and Family ministries.
A Long-Term Journey to Missionary Discipleship
Exodus is a formalised formation programme for Catholic teens who are ready to take their faith seriously—three core years, plus an optional additional year for those who aren't heading to university. It helps young people move from simply knowing about Jesus to truly following Him, and to sustain that faith in a balanced, lasting way.
Launched in 2023 under the vision of our teen ministry animators, Exodus is a partnership across ministries—the Teens, Young Adults, and Family (Young Couples) ministries journeying together. Through formation, stewardship, prayer, and fellowship, the goal is to form mature missionary disciples who will serve joyfully in their parishes, communities, and the wider Church.
Vision 2033
In preparation for the great jubilee in 2033, JY UK hopes to form 2000 missionary disciples. Exodus is at the heart of that mission—a multi-year pathway raising up a generation rooted in Christ.
"From knowing about Jesus to truly following Him."
Teens Ministry Journey
From First Encounter to Deep,
Lasting Discipleship
Teens Ministry Journey
Initial
Encounter
ENCOUNTER is our initial retreat designed to introduce teens to the beauty of the Christian faith. Through prayer, worship, fellowship and sessions, teens are given the space to experience a personal encounter with God.
Discipleship
Chosen
CHOSEN is our five-day discipleship training programme that helps teens grow deeper in their faith and begin their journey as intentional disciples.
Formation
Exodus
EXODUS Formation is a long-term discipleship journey for Catholic teens who are ready to take their faith seriously. The programme helps young people move from simply knowing about Jesus to truly following Him. The goal of Exodus is to form mature missionary disciples who will serve joyfully in their parishes, communities, and the wider Church.
Formation Pathway
Initial
Encounter
ENCOUNTER is our initial retreat designed to introduce teens to the beauty of the Christian faith. Through prayer, worship, fellowship and sessions, teens are given the space to experience a personal encounter with God.
The Exodus Structure
Three core years build on one another—accompanying teens from their first encounter with God to a life of joyful mission—plus an optional additional year for those who aren't heading to university.
Year 1
Core YearEncounter & Foundations
Teens are introduced to the beauty of the Christian faith and given space for a personal encounter with God, laying strong foundations for the journey ahead.
Year 2
Core YearDiscipleship & Growth
Building on that first encounter, teens grow as intentional disciples—going deeper in their faith and beginning to live it out day to day.
Year 3
Core YearFormation & Conviction
Teens are formed more deeply and grow in conviction, moving from knowing about Jesus to truly following Him.
Year 4
Additional YearMission & Multiplication
An optional additional year for those not heading to university—a chance to keep journeying and step out as missionary disciples who serve and build community.
The Exodus Journey
An intensive spiritual journey for teens ready to take their faith seriously. Not just a programme, but a call to spiritual maturity and missionary discipleship.
Become a Disciple
From the brain to the heart
- Know Jesus personally, not just intellectually
- Actively growing in holiness and fighting sin
- Able to share a personal testimony
- Able to answer “Why are you a Catholic?” from experience
- Belonging to a community to receive and grow
Become a Missionary
Compelled by the love of Christ
- Compelled to share faith by love
- Wanting to do more, not less—never needing a 'break'
- Helping build their local parish community
- Starting prayer groups where none exist
- Inviting others to encounter Jesus for themselves
Guided by Trusted Stewards
Our stewards are screened, trained, and live out the 6 pillars of Jesus Youth. They are committed to challenging and supporting teens throughout this journey, ensuring they are never walking alone.
Called to Be Good Soil
Exodus is a deep, long-term commitment—three years, plus one—so we take care to make sure it's the right step for each teen. Every application is looked at individually; there is no blanket cut-off. Teens fill in a short application form telling us about themselves, and we get to know them through what they share—and by speaking with a reference who knows them well.
"The seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
What we look for
A few simple signs that a teen is ready to make the most of Exodus. We share these openly with applicants and their parents.
A track record of commitment
Have they taken something up and stuck with it—showing up even when they didn't feel like it? Serving at the altar, singing in the choir, a regular prayer meeting, or helping at a local charity or soup kitchen.
Ready to commit to Exodus
Can they give Exodus their time each week, without major clashes—treating it as a real priority rather than one more box to tick in a busy schedule?
Curious about their faith
Have they taken their own steps to know God more—something they chose to do themselves, not only what was arranged for them by others?
Someone who can vouch for them
Is there an adult outside their family who knows them well and can speak to their commitment and their curiosity about their faith?
Not the right year? You're still welcome.
If Exodus isn't the right fit right now, it's never a closed door. We'll happily point you towards other Jesus Youth programmes—like Encounter, Chosen, or Teens Line—where you'll receive all the more for where you are today. And you're always welcome to apply again next year.
Exodus is a Partnership
Exodus isn't run by one ministry alone. It's a shared mission—young adults and young couples giving their time to walk alongside teens, year after year.
Teens Ministry
At the heart of Exodus—accompanying teens from Year 8 to Year 13 as they grow into intentional, missionary disciples.
Young Adults Ministry
Young adults commit their time as stewards, journeying closely with teens and sharing their own faith and witness.
Family & Young Couples
Young couples and families bring stability, wisdom, and the witness of vocation—supporting teens and young adults throughout the journey.
A Mission Field to Give and Receive
Exodus isn't just for teens. For young adults and young couples, journeying with teens is a mission field where you both give and receive. As you pour into the next generation, you grow deeper in your own faith—learning, being challenged by the teens' questions and zeal, and discovering the joy of giving.
- Give your time, witness, and friendship to journey with a teen.
- Grow deeper in your own faith and be challenged to go further.
- Belong to a community of stewards from across our ministries.
One step to get involved—we'll help you find the role that fits you best.
Teens & Parents
Are you a teen ready to take your faith seriously—or a parent who wants this for your child? Apply to join the next Exodus cohort and start the journey.
Young Adults & Couples
Want to give back and grow at the same time? Come and journey with the teens as a volunteer or steward—and be part of forming a generation of missionary disciples.
What we look for in a steward
Stewards journey closely with our teens, so we take time to get to know each one too. We're simply looking for young adults and couples who are living out their own faith and long to help a teen grow.
Living the 6 Pillars
A daily prayer life, time in the Word, the sacraments, fellowship, sharing their faith, and a heart for the poor.
Walking with a steward of their own
You can't give what you haven't received—so our stewards are being challenged and supported by someone too.
Growing in formation
Keen to keep growing—taking up at least one Jesus Youth course or programme each year.
A heart for teens
A genuine love for young people and a desire to lead them closer to Christ.
Able to commit
There for the Exodus weekends, the weekly online calls, and our steward training and fellowship.
Built on the 6 Pillars
Exodus is shaped by the six pillars that have nurtured Jesus Youth from the beginning—the rhythms that sustain a missionary disciple.
Daily Prayer
A daily 'quiet time' with the Lord leading to an experience of the companionship of Jesus, enables one to have a joyful attitude in daily life.
Word of God
A regular time for a meditative reading of the Sacred Scripture helps one to seek God's guidance and shape his life according to God's will.
Sacraments
Frequent and active participation in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation contributes to a life of wholeness and strength and are integral to a person's growth in holiness.
Fellowship
Christian life, a call to live the life of the Trinity in communion with one's brothers and sisters in Christ through mutual support, encouragement and gentle correction, is an important element in the movement. Cells, small groups, prayer groups, service teams and friendship circles help to make Jesus Youth a family.
Evangelization
Personal renewal in Jesus leads to a commitment to share the person and message of Jesus with others. This commitment to evangelisation is central to the life of every Jesus Youth.
Option for the Poor
Following the footsteps of the Master who brought the Good News to the poor, Jesus Youth stretches out a helping hand to those burdened with poverty and deprivation.
"Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree."
Matthew 13:31–32
Begin the Exodus Journey
Interested in Exodus formation for yourself or your teen? Reach out to our Teens Ministry team and we'll help you take the next step.
Meet some of the Team
These are some of our coordinators who are part of a wider team serving the ministry.
Della John
National Teens Ministry Coordinator
Tony Tomy
National Teens Ministry Assistant Coordinator