Youth:  A youth is a person who has given his/her life to Jesus and is learning how to know and walk with Jesus every day.  Someone in this stage of spiritual development is a joy to behold; they are eager, hungry, excited, and learning.  Their whole life is different; the way they see the world, themselves, others, relationships, etc….  They feel free and renewed, are growing more alert to God’s presence and more desirous of holy living.

Transitioning from youth to adult involves deeper surrender and a recognition that we are more dependent on God than we knew.  Our gratitude grows as we place hope on him.  We see in Scripture and church history that a dark night of the soul is often central to someone become more mature.  Even when a feeling fades the adult knows that the God who has been present to him or her from the beginning is still there and at work.