When young people believe, there is joy in heaven

A delegation from Korea at the IYC in Düsseldorf

“They will not come with empty hands,” District Apostle Urs Hebeisen promises. He is referring to the Korean delegation which he has invited to the International Youth Convention 2019 in Düsseldorf (Germany). Bishop Yang, who is responsible for keeping the youth in the South Korean congregations up to speed on the IYC, confirmed that 25 young sisters and brothers will be coming to Europe. The young people will be bringing their musical instruments along and will thus have a little bit of their Korean culture in their luggage. This will add to the international flair of the 2019 youth convention. Welcome, Korea!

A talent show in Kawama

Kawama-Central is a huge church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: big, spectacular, and full. Eight thousand people from the Apostle districts Lubumbashi-North and -South recently came together for their day of the youth. District Apostle Tshitshi Tshisekedi started the Sunday with a divine service. Afterwards there was lunch for everyone—a logistical challenge, considering the sheer number of participants. And in the afternoon, twelve youth choirs competed in a talent show. This was the first time that the NAC DRC SOUTH-EAST Talentshow took place. The District Apostle wanted to promote local musical talent. Twelve choirs from twelve church districts in and around Lubumbashi were asked to perform their own compositions. An independent jury picked the three best choirs.

Ghana – represent your culture

Culture and faith were two important aspects of the recent youth convention in Accra (Ghana). Some 1,500 young people from the church districts of Volta North, Volta Central, Volta South, Cape Coast, and Accra met for a four-day youth camp on the premises of the University of Ghana in Accra. The youth stayed in two residence halls. A divine service, sports, round table discussions on matters of faith and issues concerning the youth were on the programme, as was a folklore presentation. “Rep you culture” was the title of this part of the programme: participants dressed up in traditional clothing representing their heritage; four dance groups from four Apostle areas then performed cultural dances to showcase the folklore of each Apostle area.

Uno con Dios – Day of the youth in Colombia

Young people from Bogotá, Pereira, Cúcuta and Bucuramanga, from Medellín, Cali, and even a small group from Venezuela and Peru, came together for their day of the youth to make music and to enjoy each others’ company, culture, an evening vigil, and a divine service. The official song of the Colombian Day of the Youth can be heard on this video clip.