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Freedom in the Spirit and the generosity of young people reaching out to other young people, as witnesses of the joy of life in Christ and in service of the Church, lies at the heart of Jesus Youth. a. While Jesus Youth always has a focus on young people, ongoing faith formation has resulted in the participation of other age groups giving rise to ministries like Christeen, Angel's Army, Professionals, Family Cells, etc. b. The presence of older people, families, religious and clergy, commited to the Christian animation of young people has enabled the movement to grow steadily. Ongoing faith and human formation receives speacial attention in the movement. Jesus Youth groups and training programmes are primarily a call to the life of holiness and encourage a deeper relationship with the Lord, through the Word of God and the Sacraments. Using the gifts, and fruits of the Holy Spirit for growth in pesonal holiness, service in the community and proclamation of the Good News receive constant emphasis in Jesus Youth. Active participation in a charismatic prayer group is recommended as the best way to grow in life in the Spirit. Responding to the divine mandate and the call of the Church, young people are encouraged to share the knowledge of the love of Jesus with their peers and are formed for missionary commitment. Witnessing to the Lord in the rapidly changing modern context has been a strong characteristic of the Jesus Youth Movement. The movement has taken roots in universities and among workers and professionals. Use of technology and modern mass media have also enabled Jesus Youth to be more effective in its apostolate. Participation in Fellowship groups is a speacial characteristic of Jesus Youth. Small cells and prayer groups in many places are gradually evolving into committed communities. Jesus Youth is rooted in the Church and is committed to ecumenism, and inter-religious dialogue. a. Jesus Youth developed in friendship groups, college campuses and workplaces as a network to encourage young people to be effective witnesses in the world. These fellowship groups include people from different Catholic Rites, who share the spirituality of Jesus Youth. They are encouraged to live their own tradition in an atmosphere of mutual acceptance and dialogue. b. These cultural and inter-ritual characteristics have given rise to the unique organisational structure of Jesus Youth. In each country the groups, ministries and activities are organised in regions and zones (and in very active areas, sub-zones) based on the number of Jesus Youth groups and activities, social and logistical considerations. hile maintaining this mode of organisation the movement has been incorporated effectively in ecclesiastical structures and pastoral plans. Close interaction, collaboration and networking among individuals, ministries and fellowship groups is a strong characteristic of Jesus Youth. Modern means of travel, media and comminication establish Jesus Youth as a close-knit ecclesial family. One becomes a Jesus Youth not by a formal enrolment but by a step by step interiorization of the Jesus Youth lifestyle and participation in fellowship and mission. a. The first step is usually a session or programme, in which a person's relationship with the Lord is discovered, and baptismal commitment renewed. b. Membership of a cell is necessary to become a member of Jesus Youth. Details of membership are collected by the Zonal Team. Jesus Youth is thus a fellowship of fellowship groups. c. The Zonal Teams provide formation and training to cell members.
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