Tom Booth

When Tom Booth finished college, he told God he would do "anything except youth ministry." Yet that’s exactly where God led him, giving him a gift for understanding young adults and the problems of their culture.

Tom has twice been named as one of the top Catholic music artists for teens by YOU! Magazine. With musical influences from both secular and Christian sources, Tom’s goal is to write music that reaches where "life is lived," music that is truly liturgical and not watered down for a young audience.

In addition to composing and recording his music, Tom serves as music and youth minister at St. Timothy Catholic Community Center in Mesa, Arizona. He also directs the music for the national LIFE TEEN program, one of the most successful ministries for helping Catholic youth to form or solidify a relationship with God. He gives concerts and youth rallies across the country. But to Tom, what he does is less important than who he is. "I want to be known as a Christian," he says. "I want people to say, ‘He follows Christ.’"

TOPICS FOR CONCERTS, YOUTH RALLIES & PRAYER DAYS Liturgy And Young People: Inviting Teenagers To The Eucharistic Table What does the Church have to offer to young people today? Everything they need! Many of us don't know what to say to teenagers and are unsure of how to "get them" to Sunday Mass. This workshop calls to mind the richness of our faith and its rituals, and gives new insight into how we can share that faith with young people. It outlines where teens "are at" today, and how we, the Church, can faithfully inculturate the liturgy to speak to them in the clear voice of Christ.
Music And The World Of Today's Teenager Music is probably the most important language of today's young person! They "eat and breathe" music on a daily basis. MTV and VH-1 may be forming today's teenager in more ways than the Church! How should we respond? What can we do at Sunday Eucharist to "use" the power of music for the good of the gospel, with the goal of reaching the hearts of teenagers? This workshop explores the influence of music on teens, and how we can better use this holy art form to help shape the faith life of young people. Music Concerts Tom's background in rock, jazz and gospel music helps to make these concerts fun and entertaining. The goal of his prayer/concerts, however, is to provide an experience of Christ in a real and gentle way. Tom is very experienced with teens and young adults and has performed in parish-wide situations as well.