Spark Youth Leadership
applications for 2023 ARE NOW OPEN!
Applications close October 15.
Theme for 2023-2024
The Spark Student Leadership ministry will return in 2023! The Spark is a leadership formation program for teens in 9th-12th grade who are interested in growing in their faith through discipleship and leadership in the Catholic Church. Participants will learn about how to be more faithful in prayer, how to talk to peers about faith and how to identify God's calling. The Spark Team will use what they have learned to serve at the annual Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally as peer leaders.
For questions about The Spark or the application process, please contact us at spark@arisemke.org.
“The Church which ‘goes forth’ is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice.
An evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us first (cf. 1 Jn 4:19), and therefore we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast."
- Evangelii gaudium, 24
Important Dates*
September 5:
Applications Open
September 30:
John Bosco Youth Day
October 15:
Applications Close
October 29:
The Spark Meeting #1
November 4-5, November 11-12 or December 2-3:
Retreat will be one of these weekends depending on the availability of team members
January 7:
The Spark Meeting #2
February 11:
The Spark Meeting #3
March 10:
WCYR Meeting
March 15-16:
Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally
April 14:
The Spark Meeting #4
*Dates are subject to change for the betterment of Arise staff and/or The Spark members.
About The Spark:
Mission Statement:
The Mission of The Spark Team is to establish Catholic fellowship & missionary disciple qualities that will excite, inspire, capture & ignite other young people for Jesus. Our goal is to enable high school students to create a mission plan and supply the tools and resources necessary for success.
Vision Statement:
Starting with the 2022-2023 year, The Spark Leadership Team will write a new vision statement at the first meeting based on the theme, their desired outcomes, and the areas that The Spark leaders will be training them in. Check in after our first meeting in December to see what The Spark wrote!
The Spark Leaders:
Mackenzie Nguyen
Ministry Coordinator at Arise MKE
mackenzie@arisemke.org
Commitment:
This team will meet once monthly for 2 hours, October through May, and will also receive an overnight retreat. This is an incredible opportunity to grow as a disciple on a mission! The Spark will be invited to help with John Bosco Youth Day in September 2023 and expected to help at the Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally in March 2024.
Cost:
The cost to be on The Spark Leadership Team is $95, which will cover meals at both youth events, meeting snacks, and retreat fees. Please reach out to spark@arisemke.org if cost is an issue.
The Spark Leadership program is a co-sponsored initiative through the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Testimonials
ELLA WAWRYZN
Spark Team 2021-2022
I am Ella Wawrzyn and last year was my first year on the spark team. I met amazing people and was able to grow in my faith. I really enjoyed our Sunday afternoon meetings and retreat at holy hill. My favorite part of the year was the Wisconsin Catholic youth rally, especially the adoration. I am very excited for this year!
MEGAN PETERSON
Spark Team 2021-2022
My name is Megan Petersen and I have been a part of The Spark Leadership Team for one year so far and hope to continue until I have graduated high school. I joined The Spark in my freshman year of high school. We got to meet every month, go on a retreat at Holy Hill, and volunteer at the Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally. Throughout the course of the year these events and meetings helped me to learn more about God and allowed me to spend more time with him. I was able to really slow down and be in the presence of our creator. I am going to continue with The Spark and learn more about what God has to offer me. I also hope to learn more about myself and God.