Young people have an important place in the life and ministry of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWCT). Through Christian education, worship, fellowship, leadership development and opportunities for active participation, the Church seeks to nurture young people in their faith and strengthen their involvement in the life of the Church and community.

Youth engagement within the FWCT is closely connected with the work of the Potungāue Ako Faka-Kalisitiane (Christian Education Department). Its programmes include Sunday School, youth gatherings, Christian teaching, leadership development and resources designed to encourage regular engagement with Scripture and Christian discipleship. During the 2025–2026 Conference year, the Department prepared and published youth devotional resources containing daily Bible readings and continued to develop Sunday School materials for children and young people.

Learning, Faith and Formation

Christian learning is an important part of FWCT youth ministry. Sunday School programmes provide structured opportunities for children and young people to grow in their knowledge of Scripture and the Christian faith. The Church also supports those who serve young people by providing training and gatherings for Sunday School leaders and youth leaders. Youth programmes extend beyond the classroom. Visits involving Toʻutupu (Youth) and Akolotu (Christian education groups) are organised as part of the Church’s programme of fellowship and spiritual formation. Youth festivals and other organised activities also bring young people together to worship, learn, build relationships and participate in the wider life of the Church.

Opportunities to Participate and Lead

The FWCT encourages young people not simply to attend Church activities, but also to participate actively in ministry. Youth groups contribute to evangelistic activities, worship and other Church programmes. For example, youth from different congregations have participated in public evangelistic preaching at “Jesus Corner”, demonstrating that young people are given opportunities to take part in the Church’s mission and Christian witness. The Church also supports programmes such as the Brigades, providing structured activities through which younger members can participate, learn and grow. The Christian Education Department has incorporated Brigade programmes alongside Sunday School and other Christian formation activities.

Connecting Young People Across the FWCT

Youth engagement also strengthens relationships across the wider FWCT family. Major youth gatherings bring together young people from different regions of Tonga and from overseas FWCT communities. Preparations for the Church’s 2026 Youth Conference included participation from Tonga as well as FWCT communities in the United States and Hawaiʻi, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. These gatherings create opportunities for young people from different places to worship together, strengthen relationships and recognise that they belong to a Church community extending beyond their own local congregation.

Growing in Faith and Service

FWCT Youth Engagement brings together faith, learning, fellowship, participation and service. Through Sunday School, Bible reading, youth gatherings, leadership opportunities, evangelism and other Church activities, young people are encouraged to deepen their relationship with God while becoming active participants in the Church. The aim is not simply to prepare young people for future involvement. Rather, the programmes reflected in the Church’s annual report show young people already participating in the worship, fellowship and mission of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga today.