Working with parishes of all sizes and cultural backgrounds has taught me that every faith community has its own strengths and challenges when it comes to engaging youth. Some parishes already have strong youth ministry programs but want to deepen the culture of discipleship. Others are starting from scratch, trying to figure out where to even begin. No matter where a parish is on this spectrum, the key to effective ministry is the same: we must teach by accompaniment first.

One parish I worked with had a youth program full of events, but lacked depth in relationships. They were “doing” a lot of ministry, but young people weren’t staying engaged beyond confirmation. Through the Accompaniment Project, they began shifting their approach by focusing less on programming and more on walking with young people and the caring adults in their lives, and in this case, confirmation sponsors. They started asking deeper questions, creating space for honest and authentic conversations, and working to ensure that youth felt seen, heard, and valued.

Another parish in the Accompaniment Project is in a unique position. They don’t even have a physical location yet as they raise funds to build their church. With no official building to call home, the pastor and a small team of leaders are figuring out where and how to gather, using the accompaniment training to intentionally build community before structure. Instead of waiting for a formal space to begin ministry, they are planning to meet youth where they are, focusing first on relationships rather than programming.

Their approach isn’t about launching events right away but about establishing a foundation of trust, presence, and genuine connection with adults in their community. They are learning that accompaniment isn’t dependent on a location; it’s about showing up, listening, and walking with young people, wherever that may be. Even without walls, they are creating a culture of belonging, ensuring that when they do have a permanent parish space, it will already be filled with young people who feel at home.

Teaching isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to walk the road together. Jesus didn’t just teach his disciples with words. He ate with them, traveled with them, and lived life with them. His teaching was rooted in relationship and presence. That is the model of accompaniment.

If we want to form young disciples who stay engaged beyond confirmation and even high school, we must rethink what it means to teach. It is not about perfect programs or polished lessons. It is about being there, about journeying with young people through the ups and downs of faith and life.

At the heart of it all, teaching through accompaniment means walking with others toward Christ and not leading from ahead but rather journeying together in faith. And as NFCYM reminds us, “Christ leads, We accompany.”