Young people shape the Church

Youth Convention in Nigeria

On Sunday, 1 September 2019, over 700 young Christians came together for their regional youth weekend in the working area of Apostle Chima Okpara Ibekwe (Nigeria). There were also many guests in attendance. The motto of the three-day gathering was “Fellowship in prayer”. In the divine service, Apostle Ibekwe based his sermon on a passage from Psalm 95: 6-7: “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.”

The participants not only cultivated their fellowship in the divine service and prayer, however. They also enjoyed sports activities, discussions, workshops, and making music together. Last, but not least, they enjoyed fellowship together on the streets: it is certainly an imposing picture—even for the public—when hundreds of young people joyfully make their ways through the city on their way to church!

IYC follow-up service in Germany

Meeting Hall 6 was a major highlight at the IYC 2019. It was there that the District Apostle districts and many other Church groups presented themselves during the International Youth Convention. Last Sunday, there was a “mini version” of Meeting Hall 6 in Wernigerode, Germany. Just as in many other congregations around the country, there was an IYC follow-up service here. These events recalled the IYC motto—“Here I am”—along with important statements from the divine service and the many different offers presented at the IYC.

Together, both young and old looked back on the IYC. In discussions, interviews, and presentations, the IYC participants presented their own personal highlights of the event—and exhibited an abundance of IYC swag. This date had been long anticipated, as the young people already knew well before the IYC that they would also take part in these follow-up divine services in September. The young people had also done the very same for the European Youth Day in 2009.

Youth Camp in Ghana

At the start of the month, young people from eleven church districts gathered together for their Youth Camp 2019 in Akwatia, Ghana. Right at the start, the participants competed against one another in a singing contest.

And then the young Christians from the Apostle district of Nkawkaww spent four days together enjoying sports activities, discussions, and more music. District Elder Brenya, who organised the event, gave thanks to the young people for their work in the congregations, and asked the young people to also continue supporting their congregations in the future.