2005 Annual Youth Commission Report
Purpose
The WEA Youth Commission exists to facilitate the church to reach, equip and mobilize young people for Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through serving WEA regional and national alliances and strategic partners in two major ways:
1. To impart a vision for youth ministry to the Church in order that:
- every young person in the world can be reached for Jesus Christ
- every believing young person will be discipled and equipped
- youth will be mobilized to reach their communities and the world for Christ
2. Networking youth ministry to reach and disciple every young person for Christ by encouraging and facilitating:
- a movement of prayer in each nation for the needs of young people
- positive relationships and regular communication between youth workers
- links between youth workers for fellowship, encouragement, support and spiritual growth
- increased effectiveness through cooperation and strategic partnerships
Regional and National Youth Commission Activity
In 2005 there are established Youth Commissions in 45 countries. There are 22 countries (not listed) whose Youth Commissions are in the process of formation.
1.AFRICA: Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone. Led by Solomon Gacece. YC projects focus on street children, sports events, refugee camps and prison outreach. Training is provided for national networks in 8 regions, encouraging partnerships and a higher profile for youth ministry. A regional consultation is planned for 2006.
2.ASIA: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines. Led by Efriam Tendero. An executive committee was established for the region as a resource to networking in 11 countries. A Leadership Forum was held in India for Indian leaders from 30 national youth ministries and church alliances. Follow-up is designed to establish Youth Commissions in each Indian state.
3.EUROPE: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine. Led by Grahame Knox. Grahame, serving full time in 2005, added two seconded staff to serve national Alliances, youth networks and linked youth agencies in the region. A Forum for European national Youth Commission leaders was held in Portugal. In 2006 an innovative and extensive training program will be launched for church-based youth leaders.
4.NORTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN: Canada, Jamaica, U.S.A. Led by John Wilkinson. This year the Canadian YC laid infrastructure for a YC in every province. A Canadian Forum will be held in 2006 for 100 top youth leaders from across the nation. The Jamaica YC, led by Donovan Thomas, took a leading role in the Global Day of Prayer helping unite 3,000 from all major church groups. God met them leading to unusual humility and brokenness. Led by Paul Fleischmann, the U.S. National Network of Youth Ministries united 2 million youth for prayer at See You at the Pole. The Adopt-a-School movement reached 60% of the 56,000 secondary schools. The More Mentors for Youth initiative is in its third year of partnership with the US Dept. of Justice. 600 local Networks represent every state. 75 denominations and youth ministries are cooperating, representing 100,000 churches and 250,000 youth workers. In 2006, NNYM will celebrate 25 years by launching Operation Turn the Tide. They will also host a Missions Forum gathering 80 short-term missions agencies who send over 500,00 youth overseas each summer.
5.LATIN AMERICA: Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Guatemala. Led by Jorge Zuniga. Following the Consultation, 11 nations formed strategic plans. The YC formed an Executive Committee to follow through in the establishment of Youth Commissions in each nation. A business plan was formed and will be enacted in 2006.
6.SOUTH PACIFIC: Australia, Solomon Islands. Led by Graham Sercombe. An Associate YC Coordinator was hired and networking is spreading throughout Australia and the Solomon Islands. Monthly prayer gatherings are held in many places; 5,000 youth gathered to pray in Sydney. In 2006, WEA regional needs will be assessed and a 5-year plan will be projected.
Regional Consultations
The Youth Commission has held six multi-national “Training Consultations” on four continents over the past four years. These trainings are provided for the Youth Commission leaders from 8-10 nations at a time in order to establish and strengthen national Youth Commissions. In November, the YC launched the India Youth Ministry Mobilization Project. Over 100 leaders of India’s national youth ministries and church alliances gathered for training to develop partnerships and strategic plans for reaching India’s 415 million youth.
Global Youth Commission Efforts
1.Leadership Meetings. The YC met twice in 2005—in Orlando and Pune, India—to evaluate, plan and prepare. The YC is made up of a WEA appointed leader from each continental region, plus two Members at Large.
2.Communications. Monthly email updates between YC members bring news of current progress, prayer requests and information about future events. Phone calls are personal visits are arranged as needed.
3.Website. In addition to the WEA website, a specialized website was launched for international youth workers. www.globalyouthworkers.netlists contact information and email links for YC leaders and interested national youth workers. A page for resources can be adapted for each country by the YC leaders. Links are offered to WEA and other helpful websites, including a fact book of information for each country.
4.
Prayer. The Youth Commission connects with existing prayer movements like the Global Day of Prayer. “A Whole Night for the Whole World” was held the night before the GDOP where youth in at least 52 countries prayed for more laborers in God’s harvest. |
