By Celine Klosterman
In high school, Mike Sylvester’s parish youth ministry program helped him through some tough personal times. Now director of youth ministry at St. John Neumann Parish in Columbia, S.C., he tries to help today’s teenagers navigate similar life challenges.
As one-half of the comedic storytelling and music duo 5thousand, he’ll work to do so — along with Bryan Murdaugh — at the Diocese of Davenport’s junior high youth rally March 17.
“The main reason I do youth ministry is because somebody did it for me,” Sylvester said. “When I felt like the world was crumbling around me — after I broke up with my girlfriend or my friend died — I had someone there who took it as seriously as I did. That’s how I relate to young people: when they’re going through moments that are hard, and it seems like the rest of life will be like this.” Through stories, lessons of faith, laughter and music, 5thousand aims to help youths find encouragement and joy in Christ.
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