Out and about with the youth

Day of the Youth in Mindanao-North

A group of 500 people gathered in Cabadbaran, a city in the province of Agusan del Norte. Apostle Desoloc calls this place home. He invited District Apostle Urs Hebeisen and District Apostle Helper Edy Isnugroho to join the youth for an action-packed weekend. Everyone was excited, despite the long distances many had to cover. There was something for everyone. In addition to games and sports, there were drama presentations on the topic “Love your neighbour”. The divine service on Sunday morning was based on God’s promise: “Behold, I make all things new.” District Apostle Hebeisen made a special point for praying for peace in Mindanao.

Day of the Youth in Bienne

Young people from five church districts in northern Switzerland gathered in Bienne for their Day of the Youth. District Apostle Markus Fehlbaum welcomed them with a joyful: “Hallelujah!” to show them how happy he was. He told them that he had only really begun to understand his faith during his time in the youth. Praising God, he said, is not something we should only do in divine service but also in our everyday lives by confessing our belief in Him. “Follow the path paved by Jesus. You will not regret it,” he urged the youth, citing an exhortation by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider.

Seminar for youth leaders

Generation Y is a term used by researchers for the generation aged between 15 and 35 years. Millenials, as Generation Y is also referred to, often question things and are very critical when it comes to assessing values. Loyalty towards institutions, superiors, family, and friends has given way to loyalty for one’s own person, abilities, and one’s own network. Today, respect no longer means courtesy toward one’s neighbour, let alone reverence. “You have to earn yourself respect,” Generation Y says. These are some of the insights from sociology, which Volker Lange imparted to the youth leaders in the District Church North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) in a recent seminar. The reality of life is changing rapidly, which poses a challenge for the Church. “We cannot change the generations,” Volker Lange made clear, “but we have to understand them.” This is a precondition for successful pastoral care among young people.

Day of the Youth in São Tomé/Príncipe

The two island states São Tomé and Príncipe lie off the west coast of Africa. District Apostle Rainer Storck from Germany looks after the New Apostolic Christians here. At the end of August he visited the congregations on the islands and participated in a youth weekend. About a thousand young New Apostolic Christians attended. They met at the church in Santa Cruz. The weekend’s motto was: “The joy in the Lord is our strength”. Youth choirs performed various pieces in Portuguese and in local languages. Some of the young people had prepared plays on biblical events such as the fight between David and Goliath. In discussions with District Apostle Storck and District Apostle Helper Misselo the youth were able to get to know the two Apostles better.