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Serva Fidem, Latin for “Keep the Faith,” strives to develop high school students into intentional disciples who will keep the faith through college and for the rest of their lives.
Serva Fidem pairs small groups of students with adult mentors in the community for weekly gatherings. Students learn to better understand their Catholic faith and develop deep, personal relationships with Jesus Christ. Groups grow their devotion through personal prayer, the Sacramental life, and understanding of Church teachings. They leave equipped with knowledge, personal encounter, and friendships to support them in flourishing life of faith. By forming virtuous relationships with one another, groups develop deep relationships with Jesus Christ and are able to answer the question, "Why am I Catholic?"
What is Serva Fidem?
In partnership with the Holy Spirit, Serva Fidem seeks to strengthen the future of the Catholic Church by investing in those who are at the most decisive point in their Catholic journey. 74% of former Catholics report they stopped identifying as Catholic between the ages of 10 and 20, with a median age of 13. Investing in the youth of the Church means investing in its future. As pews continue to grow more empty, there has never been a more critical time to introduce students, our brothers and sisters, to the person of Jesus Christ and His Church; mainly, who they were made for, and what they are made for.
Our Vision
A Growing Need
74% of former Catholics report they stopped identifying as Catholic between the ages of 10 and 20, with a median age of 13.
Going, Going, Gone
(St. Mary's Press, 2018)
39% of young adults (18-29) are “none” (more than 3x the rate of “none” seniors aged 65+). Today’s young adults are 4x more likely to be “none” than young adults in the previous generation.
Of young people ages 13-25 with no adult mentors, 24% say they never feel their life has meaning and purpose. However, for those with even one adult mentor, this number drops to 6%.
The State of Religion in Young People, (Springtide, 2020)
A Proven Solution
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By the end of year five at Dowling Catholic High School, Serva Fidem grew to involve 62 active small groups, or 333 students, which was nearly 24% of the student body.
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Serva Fidem alumni were 59% more likely to attend Mass 4+ times a month than non-Serva Fidem alumni in their senior year of college.
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77% of Serva Fidem alumni identified themselves as active Catholics, compared to only 50% of non-Serva Fidem alumni.
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Serva Fidem alumni are more likely to be committed to their faith, feel more confident in defending it, continue growing in their faith in college, and engage in faith behaviors like daily prayer, Mass, reconciliation, and faith groups than non-Serva Fidem alumni.
Is God calling you to explore Serva Fidem?
1080 Jordan Creek Parkway, Suite 200 North, West Des Moines, IA 50266
515-222-1084
"The Most Successful Youth Ministry in the Country"
Holy Conundrums Podcast
Hear Serva Fidem Director, Addie Croegaert talk with Everett Fritz of Andrew Ministries about the start of Serva Fidem.
"They tell the story of developing this unique campus ministry program and the incredible success Addie has seen by developing small groups with spiritual mentors. Both in numbers and in culture, the dedication of the student body to the practice of the Faith, coupled with the “reverse statistic” of how they keep their faith in college and are driven to mentor others themselves speak to a shocking effectiveness. Addie talks practicals about finding mentors who are already disciples, but also the intangible power of asking God to guide her steps."