CSI Diocese of Madras crestCSI Diocese of MadrasChurch of South India
Departments & Boards

Board for Youth Work

The Board for Youth Work – Diocese of Madras is committed to nurturing, equipping, and empowering young people to become responsible, spiritually grounded, and socially conscious members of the Church and society.

Leadership

Who leads the board

  • Rev. S. Samuel Selvakumar

    Director

    Rev. S. Samuel Selvakumar

  • Rev. V. Tamilarasi

    Associate Director

    Rev. V. Tamilarasi

About

Mission and purpose

The Board for Youth Work – Diocese of Madras is committed to nurturing, equipping, and empowering young people to become responsible, spiritually grounded, and socially conscious members of the Church and society. The Board seeks to create meaningful opportunities for young people to grow in their faith, discover their talents, develop leadership qualities, and actively participate in the mission of the Church. The Board conducts various youth development and skill-building programmes that encourage young people to identify and develop their abilities, build confidence, strengthen teamwork, and prepare themselves for their future. Cultural programmes and cultural training are also organized to provide a platform for young people to express their creativity, talents, and interests while promoting fellowship and unity among youth across the Diocese.

As part of its ministry, the Board also encourages young people to participate in social responsibility and community service. Through welfare initiatives, the youth are motivated to reach out to needy and vulnerable people, including families requiring support and those living in difficult circumstances. Such activities help young people understand the importance of compassion, service, generosity, and caring for others.

The Board for Youth Work aims to build a generation of young people who are rooted in Christian values, equipped with relevant skills, committed to the Church, and willing to serve society. Through spiritual, educational, cultural, skill-development, and social initiatives, the Board seeks to strengthen youth ministry and encourage young people to become active participants in the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Madras.

Programmes

What the board does

Programme 1: Youth Rally

The Board for Youth Work, CSI Diocese of Madras, conducts an Annual Youth Rally every year during the month of June, observed as the Youth Month of the Diocese. More than 1,000 young people from the North, South, Southern and Central Areas of the Diocese participate in this major youth gathering. The rally provides a platform for young people to come together in Christian fellowship, worship and celebration. A new theme song is introduced each year, along with inspiring guest speakers, cultural programmes and talent events, encouraging youth to discover and express their gifts and talents. The Youth Rally serves as an important platform for strengthening unity, fellowship, spiritual growth and active participation among the youth of the Diocese.

Programme 2: Youth Participation and Ecumenical Engagement

The Board for Youth Work, CSI Diocese of Madras, provides opportunities for young people to participate in ecumenical, national and international programmes, fostering Christian fellowship, leadership and holistic development. The Board participated in TABOR 2025, an ecumenical summit conducted on 29 December 2025 to commemorate the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, contributing 200 youth volunteers, while the Bishop, diocesan officers and resource persons represented the Diocese. The youth also represented the CSI Diocese of Madras at the AEYIA Youth Conference 2026, organized by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and participated in the NCCI Youth Programme with three youth representatives. In addition, more than 50 youth members participated in the Inter-Church Competition organized by the Karnataka Central Diocese on 8–9 May 2026 at Bishop Cotton’s Boys’ School, Bengaluru, actively taking part in sports and cultural events and securing prizes. Through these initiatives, the Board continues to encourage youth participation, fellowship, leadership and representation at various levels of the Church.

Programme 3: Slum Visit

The Board for Youth Work organized a community outreach visit to a slum area in Madhavaram, with the participation of more than 60 youth members from various churches of the Diocese of Madras, in collaboration with CSI Arul Church, Madhavaram. The youth visited families in the community, spent time listening to their experiences and understanding their lives and challenges. The team also shared the Gospel message with the people and encouraged them through fellowship and interaction. The visit concluded with a cultural programme carrying a social message, presented along with the community. The initiative provided the youth with an opportunity to engage with people at the grassroots level and express Christian faith through presence, sharing, and service.

Programme 4: Home for the Homeless

As part of its welfare ministry, the Board for Youth Work – Diocese of Madras undertook the initiative of building two houses for homeless families, one in the Arakkonam area and another in Nemilicherry. The houses were dedicated by Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Paul Francis Ravichandran, Bishop in Madras, in the presence of the Diocesan office bearers, youth leaders and youth members. The Board also extended welfare support to 50 needy families by providing essential materials. In addition, financial assistance of approximately ₹96,000 was provided towards an artificial leg for a person who had lost a leg. The Board has also committed to providing ₹50,000 towards roofing work for a needy family’s house. Through these initiatives, the Board seeks to encourage young people to express Christian faith through compassion, service and practical care for people in need.

Events

Events of the board

Coming up

  1. 24 October 2026

    Anti-Drug Youth Awareness Marathon

    The Board for Youth Work, CSI Diocese of Madras, is organizing an Anti-Drug Youth Awareness Marathon on 24 October 2026, with the objective of creating awareness among young people and the wider community about the harmful effects of drug abuse. The marathon will begin at Napier Bridge, Chennai, and conclude at CSI St. George’s Cathedral. Through the participation of youth, the programme seeks to encourage a healthy, responsible and drug-free lifestyle and inspire young people to become ambassadors for a drug-free society.

Through the year

  1. Date to be announced

    Anti-Drug Awareness Bike Rally – Chennai to Kanyakumari

    As part of its continued commitment to youth welfare and social responsibility, the Board for Youth Work plans to organize an Anti-Drug Awareness Bike Rally from Chennai to Kanyakumari. The rally will bring together young people to spread the message of “Say No to Drugs” and promote awareness about the dangers of drug abuse among youth. The initiative aims to take the anti-drug message across communities along the route and encourage young people to make positive and healthy choices. The programme will also emphasize the role of the Church and youth in building a safe, responsible and drug-free society.

Recent events

  1. 12 June 2026 to 14 June 2026

    Youth Rally 2026

    The Youth Rally 2026 was held from 12th to 14th June 2026 at CSI Lite Auditorium, with the participation of more than 1,000 youth members from across the Diocese of Madras. The three-day gathering included the inauguration and Cultural Night led by Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Paul Francis Ravichandran, Bishop in Madras, followed by spiritual sessions, youth training, fellowship activities and a Campfire and Gana Night. The Rally concluded on Sunday with a Holy Communion Service, special sessions and a closing ceremony. The programme encouraged young people in spiritual growth, discipline, teamwork, fellowship, leadership and social responsibility.

  2. 1 June 2026 to 5 June 2026

    Cultural Training Programme 2026

    The Cultural Training Programme 2026 was conducted from 1st to 5th June 2026 at Kanchipuram, with the participation of more than 60 youth members. The participants underwent intensive training from 6.00 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. in traditional cultural arts including Oyilattam, Karagattam, Silambattam, Kuchaattam and Therukoothu. The programme helped young people develop discipline, teamwork, confidence and cultural skills, leading to the formation of the Youth Cultural Team of the CSI Diocese of Madras.

  3. 17 January 2026

    Youth Conference 2026

    The Youth Conference 2026 was held on 17th January 2026 at CSI Ewart School, focusing on the topic “Religious Fundamentalism and the Response of Young Church.” Youth representatives from across the Diocese of Madras participated in the conference. The programme provided a meaningful platform for young people to engage with the topic and reflect on their role and responsibility in the Church. The conference encouraged the youth to strengthen their faith, develop responsible perspectives, and actively participate in the life and ministry of the Church.