Confirmation events, youth conventions, youth meetings. Many young people are getting together in spite of the pandemic to have fun together, experience their faith, or to do good. Here is a look at those who are helping to shape the future of the Church.
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One Of Us was the motto of the youth convention in Austria
Photo: NAK Österreich
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The youth in Austria enjoyed a colourful programme
Photo: NAK Österreich
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The youth in Austria enjoyed a colourful programme
Photo: NAK Österreich
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Apostle Matthias Pfützner conducted the service at the Austrian youth convention
Photo: NAK Österreich
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At the food bazar in Nigeria
Photo: NAC Nigeria
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At the food bazar in Nigeria
Photo: NAC Nigeria
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The afternoon programme at the youth convention in Nigeria
Photo: NAC Nigeria
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The afternoon programme at the youth convention in Nigeria
Photo: NAC Nigeria
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Seven trees were planted by the youth
Photo: Torsten Helmers, Gudrun Berg, Constanze Freyhofer
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Seven trees were planted by the youth
Photo: Torsten Helmers, Gudrun Berg, Constanze Freyhofer
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The East Frisian youth in front of the trees they planted
Photo: Torsten Helmers, Gudrun Berg, Constanze Freyhofer
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Apostle Anthony Kuada (second from the left) crossed Lake Volta in a canoe with other ministers and members
Photo: NAC Ghana
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The youth from Alabonu, Ghana, during the meeting with their Apostle
Photo: NAC Ghana
Surprise for the confirmands
On 16 October 2021 the confirmands from the Rosedale congregation in South Africa got together. After getting the Covid formalities out of the way, Priest Andre La Bercensie said a prayer and then discussed their upcoming confirmation with them. They spoke about what confirmation is, what the confirmation vow means, what the Creed says, and what the blessing of God is. While they were still busy with their discussion, Apostle Gerome Mintoor made an unexpected appearance to everyone’s great delight. He also addressed the upcoming confirmation and wished the young people all the best for the future.
One of Us
The motto of this year’s Austrian youth convention from 10 to 12 September was One of Us. While playing games, talking, laughing, chilling out, doing crafts, and making music the young people enjoyed being together. They not only experienced during the service, which Apostle Matthias Pfützner conducted, that Jesus is one of them. They also experienced that each of them could not only share fellowship with each other but also fellowship with Jesus Christ.
Youth convention in West-Nigeria
From 24 to 26 September 2021 Lead Apostle Geoffrey Nwogu met with some priestly ministers who were to be appointed as district leaders in the working area of West-Nigeria. The young people of this district were particularly pleased about this because they had planned a small youth convention on that weekend, which the Apostle now participated in together with the other ministers.
On Saturday morning, Apostle Nwogu took part in a food bazar. In the afternoon he took questions from the youth on current religious topics. The hosts, Apostle Oscar Nwanza, Bishop Adelaba, and the district youth leader were also present. Various indoor and outdoor activities had been organised around these two events. On Sunday Apostle Nwogu conducted the divine service and also appointed the new district leaders.
Tree planting action
Early in the morning of 16 October 2021 a group of young people from the East Frisian Youth set out to plant trees in Leezdorf, Germany. They wanted to do something special for Thanksgiving Day and contribute to a greener future. On a plot of land especially set aside for this, they dug several holes in which they planted three field maples, two lime trees, and two hornbeams. Although they got really dirty from top to bottom because of rain the previous days, they had a lot of fun.
The Regional Church Northern and Eastern Germany supported the young people with a financial contribution, and some of the members of the congregation brought them tea, coffee, and something to eat. The young people are planning to plant some fruit trees soon and then to make the area accessible to the public.
A chance to speak with the Apostle
Apostle Anthony Kuada crossed Lake Volta in a canoe to visit and reach out to members in the village of Alabonu, Ghana. He was joyfully received. First on his agenda was a meeting with the youth. He invited them to discuss topics of interest to them. Thus a discussion developed about marriage, the involvement of the youth in Church development, social life, the importance of attending youth programmes, and youth organisation at the congregational, district, and apostle area levels.
The next day he conducted a divine serviced for the whole congregation based on 1 Peter 2: 1–3: “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”