WHAT IS FOOTSTEPS?
FootSteps is an inter- denominational Christian youth retreat for teens in grades 9 – 12. It provides opportunities for both spiritual renewal and for the participants’ to more clearly define their place within the larger Christian community.
Through Footsteps, teens find mutual support and love and establish a strong sense of Christian community and belonging. All of this helps them live dynamic, faithful Christian lives in the secular world.
Through Footsteps, teens find mutual support and love and establish a strong sense of Christian community and belonging. All of this helps them live dynamic, faithful Christian lives in the world.
FOOTSTEPS’S HISTORY... Footsteps is an outreach of the Koinonia and Cursillo. The Cursillo (pronounced coor-see-yo) movement was developed in Spain in the 1940s as an instrument of spiritual renewal. Cursillo de Christianidad, the full name of Cursillo, means “short course in Christianity.”
The Cursillo weekend is a structured, well-thought out method of providing the participants an opportunity to reflect on their own faith while giving them some insights as to where they ought to be. The Cursillo movement was born in the Roman Catholic Church. then, as Catholic centers started accepting applications from Protestants, a great interest grew in making the Cursillo experience available to all Protestants.
Today there are many names to this ecumenical movement like Koinonia, Tres Dias, Via de Christo, Great Banquet and Emmaus Walk.
The first weekend of Chautauqua County Footsteps of New York was in September of 1998. Our Footsteps got its start from Footsteps of Erie, PA. In the same way Footsteps has been growing and spreading around the country.
Likewise, there are many names for youth experiences; Youth Encounter, Chrysalis and Happening are a few. In addition, there are renewal weekends for those living in retirement communities and for incarcerated youth and adults.
Footsteps is designed to…
Provide encouragement for teens to become leaders in their own churches
Help each participant experience a personal encounter with the living Christ.
Invite youth to Christ
Provide the opportunity for teens to be a part of a Christian community of teens who give and receive encouragement and support as they grow in friendship and faith in their walk Christian with Jesus Christ
Provide a Christian experience for teenagers
Footsteps begins with a weekend…
This weekend, held at Camp Mission Meadows, is full of fun and love. It is planned, organized and led by youth who have gone through a Footsteps weekend before, along with 2 adult Spiritual Directors.
Weekends are held in the fall and spring, and run from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. There are usually about 80 teens (candidates and team members) involved in the weekend, with a support team of about 12 adults.
Provide the opportunity for teens to be a part of a Christian community of teens who give and receive encouragement and support as they grow in friendship and personal growth in their Christian walk with Jesus Christ.
The Footsteps weekend has some things that are like other Christian youth retreats, but in many ways it is unique.
Those who attend play games, sing, hear spiritual talks given by teens, have discussions in small groups and worship together. There’s lots of great music, food, fun and fellowship. There’s even ample time for sleep!