What’s Happening

Youth Ministry Team is the Youth Service for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle since 1994. Since then we have provided vibrant and relevant Youth Ministry provision throughout the Diocese and beyond. Our team members who have joined us over the years has carried with them the passion of accompanying young people towards a personal relationship with Christ and fully into the life of the Church.

The last few years has been difficult for all but this has not hindered YMT to work passionately toward the evangelisation of young people. As we move on with much hope, enthusiasm and fervour in our service, here are the most recent happenings within YMT!

  • The Youth Ministry Trust is looking for committed individuals to come and join our dynamic team of people passionate about providing service and hospitality at the Emmaus Village whilst providing opportunities for Youth Ministry across the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Please read article for more information on our vacancies.

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  • Youth Ministry Internship with YMT is a centre-based training and discipleship programme where you are called to live and serve with YMT, the Youth Service for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.  It will be an 11-month internship programme which will give you the opportunity to live with an intentional discipleship community, grow in your service [...]

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  • The Pope John Paul II Award is a faith achievement award for young people between the age of 16 and 18. It is non-competitive, inclusive, flexible and voluntary.

    The Award enables participants to take an active part in the life of their Church – in the life of their community and society. It enables young people become more aware of the teaching and role of the Catholic Church in the world and to engage at a deep level with Christ.

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The young should be the first apostles of the young, in direct contact with them, exercising the apostolate by themselves, among themselves, taking account of their social environment’.

Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 12

YMT Internship Programme

The Youth Ministry Team (YMT) gathers together young people (18-30) from all over the world, from August to July, to live a community lifestyle and work as part of a team. Our Youth Ministry Interns are given training, ongoing formation and support. At the same time, they embark on planning and carrying out school outreach, retreats and activities for the young people of the diocese and beyond. Since we started in 1994, we have had members from all over the world, such as the USA, Philippines, Australia, and Cameroon, to name a few.

These young adults must be willing to grow in their relationship with God, learn more about their faith and help other young people on their faith journey whilst learning professional skills. We are constantly amazed and uplifted when young people of all ages respond and receive a new vision and a new insight into themselves and the God who loves them. The work of the team is essential to YMT and is a life-changing experience both for them and for those to whom they minister. If you are interested in joining our Youth Ministry Internship or wanting to know more about the programme, please drop us an email at: melany.francisco@ymt.org.

Previous Team

Hannah, Sarah and Chloe were our team of young adults for the year 2020-2021! These strong group of passionate young adults led our youth ministry offerings for a whole year. They contributed to a lot of our online youth ministry resources and given bi-monthly online reflections. They led our Wait-A-Minute reflections for Advent and Lent. They also encouraged us to respond to the call of Pope Francis to be brave to live out your faith, in their “Do not be Afraid” reflections.

Sarah and Chloe are off to University this September and Hannah is continuing her work as one of YMT’s intern this year.

Check out their work below on our Resources Hub

Sarah Kime
Sarah KimeVolunteer Team
I finished 6th Form at Sacred Heart Catholic High-School in Newcastle and worked in a supermarket. I attended many YMT events like Summer Festivals, YMT Mission and The Source. I was inspired by previous Gap Year Team members, who really showed me the heart of Jesus in their service and testimonies! I decided I wanted to do exactly that and help young people experience Jesus. Scripture that has helped me in the last year is Exodus 33:14 “And He said, “My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”
Hannah Bartlett
Hannah BartlettVolunteer Team
I am from Birtley and I am on my second year as team member with YMT. I have encountered YMT since I was in school and this year, I decided to do another year because of the Step into the GAP programmer with CAFOD. I am this year’ YMT gapper. I wanted to spread the Gospel message in a new way and encourage others to live out their faith by being the positive voice of change in the world. This reminds me of the scripture reading in Isaiah 43:19 “See, I am doing a new thing!”

Chloe Anne Gallagher
Chloe Anne GallagherVolunteer Team
I finished 6th Form at Cardinal Hume Catholic School in Gateshead before joining YMT. I have attended many YMT events like Festivals, THE SOURCE and I am part of the Youth Council and TRANSCEND. During YMT’s mission in my school, I became part of the mini-mission team as well. All these events provided so many opportunities for me. I joined YMT because all these encounters I witnessed strengthened my relationship with God, and I wanted to extend it further. Scripture verse that has helped me over lockdown is 1Cor 15:10 “but by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.”

May [young saints] and so many other young people who perhaps in silence and hiddenness lived the Gospel to the full, intercede for the Church, so that she may be full of joyous, courageous and committed young people who can offer the world new testimonies of holiness.

Christus Vivit

Resource Hub

Find, use and share resources to support you in Youth Ministry.

  • A Video resource for the primary school where we get to know St Joseph more.  Created in partnership with the Department of Education, these seven episode series features Mary Palmer presenting the videos and David Wells helping us learn more about St Joseph.

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  • "Do not be afraid", a phrase often used in the bible, and some says may have been said or used 365 times, enough for us to hear it every day. This series of short reflections from Psalms and Proverbs released during Eastertide encouraging us not to be afraid. It will be good reflections to show [...]

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Dear young people, make the most of these years of your youth. Don’t observe life from a balcony. Don’t confuse happiness with an armchair, or live your life behind a screen. … Give yourselves over to the best of life!”

Christus Vivit

About YMT

Use the links below to find out more about our charity and how we operate.

  • 2020 – 10th year Anniversary of Emmaus Village. A message of support from Ant and Dec https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2qugzGyHcw&t=7s 2020 – Our February Source was Lily Jo just before lockdown

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  • 2015 – YMT launched JP2 Awards 2016 – A sneak preview of a Day in the Life of a YMT Gapper! Video by Bryan Francisco Emmaus Village https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcGHD9aPfDg&t=54s 2018 – YMT started the TRANSCEND Missionary Discipleship Training

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  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRPVjOimIvM&t=15s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cVfVEGQo7s

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  • 2011 – *1st year of THE SOURCE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3PKVu5kvKc&t=5s 2011 – *YMT took pilgrims WYD Madrid - picture 2011 – * 1st God camp at the YV - YouTube Links https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56V2fYuL54 2012 – * YMT took Diocesan pilgrims to 1st FLAME – picture link to CYMFED 2013 – *1st YMT Gift Days (Primary outreach for Y5) pictures

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  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-v-FqiEcKY&t=293s

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  • 1994 – YMT was established by Bishop Ambrose as the Youth Service for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle 2001 – Our 1st Secondary Summer Festival in Minsteracres - young people called it "God Camp" 2001 – Our 1st Feeder Days for Primary Schools at Ushaw College 2002 – Destiny is our first monthly event for Year 9 [...]

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  • Reverend Canon Simon Lerche - Acting Chairman Monsignor Andrew Faley Michael Howard - Company Secretary David Leane Deborah Fox Dame Maura Regan Fr Marc Lyden-Smith Sr Josepha Matthews

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  • All staff and volunteers at YMT are committed to the safety of young people while engaged in YMT activities. We are committed to the Safeguarding Policies of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from any form of abuse or maltreatment and to promote a safe environment for them.

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It is important to realize that Jesus was a young person. He gave his life when he was, in today’s terms, a young adult.

Christus Vivit

Our Story

The Youth Ministry Team was established in 1994 by Bishop Ambrose Griffiths to answer the call of the Second Vatican Council:

From the beginning, we gathered together young adults from all over the world to live in community and to give school missions. At the heart of the mission experience is the message of God’s unconditional love for each one of us. Over the last 25 years, this community has continued to be at the heart of the work of YMT providing peer ministry through the generosity of young volunteers from almost every continent.

We aim to help young people to discover their own unique value and to reach their full potential. We have developed a strategy of school missions, residential retreats and local area youth ministry. We supports the adults who work with young people, helping them to provide opportunities for young people to grow in faith and take their place in the Church sharing their unique gifts and taking up their responsibility in the world.

In 2010, the Emmaus Village, formerly known as ‘Youth Village’, was opened, a residential centre which allowed us to offer a truly holistic experience which creates a lasting impact on those who participate and enables young people from many different backgrounds and starting points to explore faith and life issues in a relevant and interactive way.

25th Anniversary Page

Jesus loves you, dear young people, for you are the means by which he can spread his light and hope. He is counting on your courage, your boldness and your enthusiasm.

Christus Vivit

An Experience

Young people were at the forefront of the design of the Emmaus Youth Village, building four purpose-built chalets, each with 11 ensuite rooms including accessible facilities accommodating up to 88 in twin or 44 people in single occupancy.

Each chalet benefits from a lounge area with 55″ TV and kitchen space providing fridge, kettle and microwave.  Accessible by a key card system, young people can feel that they are staying at the hotel.

All of this situated in the picturesque Derwent Valleys, providing retreatants with a comfortable, reflective and enjoyable stay.

The Emmaus Youth Village is a residential centre that offers a holistic approach to retreats, where play, prayer and community building are essential on all programmes offered.  At the Emmaus Youth Village, we wanted young people to encounter Christ through the scriptures, each other and their surroundings.

RETREAT ENQUIRY

A Venue

Owned by the Catholic Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle and managed by the Youth Ministry Trust Charity, The Emmaus Village is situated 15 miles from the Centre of Durham & Newcastle set in 20 acres in the Derwent Valley. Well-resourced with conference and breakout rooms, beautiful views. Fantastic facility for community groups, staff building or other occasions.  Minutes from local transport and direct road links, yet just 13 miles from Newcastle or Durham.

This residential centre offers four purpose-built chalets, each with 11 ensuite rooms, including accessible facilities accommodating up to 88 in twin or 44 people in single occupancy. Each chalet benefits from a lounge area with 55″ TV and kitchen space providing fridge, kettle and microwave.  In addition, the main building an Auditorium with full sound and AV equipment for presentations and functions.  The dining area offers a restaurant seating up to 90 seating, plus two meeting rooms seating from 35 to 120 delegates.

This unique venue provides vast outdoor space with a community area & fire pit, ideal for groups, team building, conferences, family gatherings or community support.  Additional space is available for camping.

VENUE HIRE ENQUIRY

Young people, do not let the world draw you only into things that are wrong and superficial. Learn to swim against the tide, learn how to share Jesus and the faith he has given you.

Christus Vivit

Contact Us

We are very happy to respond to any inquiry, so please feel free to contact us below

If the years of your youth are to serve their purpose in life, they must be a time of generous commitment, whole-hearted dedication, and sacrifices that are difficult but ultimately fruitful.

Christus Vivit