Immigrant youth ministry

This thesis focuses on the racial and religious identity development of second-generation Kerala Christian Americans belonging to the Church of South India (CSI) congregations in North America. The primary purpose of this study is to develop ways to carry out ethnic youth ministry that would be sensitive to the ethnic identity formation of second-generation young people. In the exploration of such a ministry, this study makes the assertion that ethnic identity development of these young people should be not only a theological imperative but also a paramount component of youth ministry of both ethnic and mainstream churches. The study is based on interviews with fifteen second-generation Indian American adolescents at two Church of South India congregations in greater New York City, as well as from what I observed during participation in worship services, youth meetings and home