Serve the Lord Joyfully!
– St. John Bosco
Spend a year serving young people in Salesian communities around the world.
By the Numbers
Serve Like Don Bosco
St. John Bosco drew young people to God with his presence. But he couldn’t do it alone – he needed lay people like you!
Choosing to serve can feel risky. But you’ll be glad you did. Your experience will shape the way you work, pray, and see your purpose in life.
Deciding Your Next Steps in Life?
We discern with you how to best use your gifts. You can teach, work in a parish, run retreats, help at-risk children, care for refugees and more.
Jump into each day like Don Bosco. Pray with the Salesians, laugh with the children, and watch God provide for you in surprising ways. Pour yourself out to the kids. You’ll be amazed at what you can do!
Educating For Life
You can help break the cycle of poverty by providing a quality education to vulnerable youth. At Salesian schools, young children attend classes, participate in sports and other activities and have a safe place to learn and grow.
Health & Medical Services
Use your professional knowledge to serve the sick at a Salesian clinic, hospital, or dispensary. Be it a nurse or medical doctor, the impact of healthcare ministry is quick and powerful.
Taking Care of the At-Risk
Do you have a caring and empathetic heart? Do you desire to help provide basic living necessities for youth? Why not serve at one of many shelters and homes where you can help counsel, stabilize, and educate those youth at-risk.
Closer to Jesus
Be a Salesian Youth Minister and help young people come to know and love Jesus Christ. Our way of ministering to young people guides them to serve others and the Church in the style of St. John Bosco – to form ‘upright citizens and good Christians.’
Reaching out to those in need
As a Salesian Lay Missioner, you will have the unique opportunity to make lasting positive impacts on entire communities – establishing school outreach programs, evaluating community needs, or simply listening to those who want to be heard. You can be that change!
Meet the SLMs
Meet the current lay missioners who have committed themselves to furthering Don Bosco’s and the church’s mission of serving those at-risk.
Called to Serve with Joy and Purpose
My desire to serve has grown steadily over time, shaped by meaningful experiences in travel, ministry, and prayer. Backpacking across 12 countries after college taught me how to be present, flexible, and attuned to the dignity of every person I encountered. That journey awakened a longing to serve not just as a traveler, but as a vessel of God’s love. I began to sense that the Lord was inviting me to something deeper — a life of mission rooted in faith and joyful sacrifice.
Why the Salesians
The Salesian Lay Missioners stood out for their strong Catholic identity, focus on youth, and commitment to living in community. I was drawn to the charism of presence — being with the young in a way that is loving, consistent, and Christ-centered. The Salesians’ emphasis on accompaniment and formation mirrors my own desire to walk alongside children and help them grow in both faith and confidence. That they remove financial barriers and prioritize discernment confirmed that this was the right path for me.
Ready to Go Where God Leads
I bring a heart open to God’s will, a willingness to learn, and a deep love for the Church. My experience leading Bible studies, living simply, and adapting to new cultures has prepared me to serve wherever I am sent. While I know challenges will come, I trust the Lord will use every moment to shape me — and those I serve — for His glory. I am ready to go where He leads.
Rooted in Christ, Ready to Serve
Christ is the center of my life. Daily Mass, the Rosary, and time with Scripture fuel my desire to live fully aligned with God’s will. I want to go to heaven—and I want to bring others with me. I believe the laity are called to bring the Gospel to every corner of society, and I’m committed to doing that with joy and humility.
Why the Salesians?
When I discovered the Salesian Lay Missioners, something clicked. Their joyful spirit, deep love for the Church, and tireless commitment to youth and education resonated deeply with my heart and my gifts. I’m drawn to their focus on community life, evangelization through presence, and their belief that holiness is possible in everyday life. It’s a spirituality that feels like home.
Building the Kingdom with Code and Compassion
With a background in software engineering and experience teaching tech to youth, I’m passionate about bridging digital skills with human dignity. I love helping young people realize their potential—whether that’s through learning something new or encountering Christ’s love through presence and encouragement.
A Heart for Mission
My journey in mission began two decades ago with the Society of African Missions in 2003-04. Prior to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I served as an SLM Chemistry teacher in Sierra Leone 2019-2020…..an experience that renewed my desire to walk alongside youth in faith and service. As an older adult, many could consider this a time to slow down, yet I feel that I still have much to give. Mission isn’t just for the young—it’s for the willing.
Rooted in Faith
My Catholic faith is a primary source of my strength and joy. Daily prayer, Mass, and music ministry keep me grounded in Christ and open to whatever He asks of me. I approach each new opportunity with trust, offering my talents freely to serve our Church and those most in need.
Drawn to the Salesian Charism
The Salesian family captured my heart in Sierra Leone. There I witnessed a joyful commitment to young people. That same charism continues to inspire me to serve with simplicity, flexibility, and love. I’m honored to once again walk this path with the Salesians and the youth they uplift every day.
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