Grace and peace to you from God our father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7)

In the words of the Apostle Paul “First, I thank God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world” (Romans 1:8).  We are very thankful to be harvesting the world’s youth with you and to hear how the Lord is working in your lives. Here is the latest news.

Global Day of Prayer: 220 nations praying on May 27

Ettienne Piek, the youth coordinator for the Global Day of Prayer, was in Orlando in late March to encourage participation in this year’s GDOP on Sunday, May 27.  It is likely that people from 220 nations will be participating this year. This year, youth around the world are participating in Summit 2007, encouraging youth to pray in the highest places in their land. In Isaiah 40:9, God’s people were encouraged: “You who bring good tidings to Zion , go up on a high mountain.”  Find more information about the Global Day of Prayer at www.globaldayofprayer.com.

Africa : Serving athletes and the Lord

Solomon reports that the Sports Outreach Kenya (SOK) will hold a three day Level 1 training 3^rd to 5^th April 2007 in Nairobi . He also praises God for the ministry during the IAAF World Cross Country held in Mombasa on 24^th March 2007. 30,000 spectators from many countries looked on. SOK provided Chaplaincy services with help from Athletes in Action. They organized worship services for athletes, coaches, managers and officials.

India: Youth Commission leaders advancing the cause

Newest Youth Commission member, Jacob Isaacs, has returned from participating in an Asian Emerging Leaders Summit organized by Fuller Seminary and Compassion, International in Indonesia.  While there Jacob was able to connect with other youth leaders from Japan, Mongolia and other parts of Asia . Jacob will be traveling to Budapest , 18-22 June to participate in planning with the Lausanne Committee.  The Youth Commission in India is in preliminary phases of raising funds to launch a national ministry development and research initiative this fall.

Russia: Students are the teachers at English Camps

Daryl and Donna Nuss are leading two student teams for two separate missions experiences in Moscow and Rostov, during April. The two groups will host large English camps to reach students and student leaders. While in Russia, Daryl plans to connect with key influencers of the networking movement in Russia.

Caribbean : Youth Commission Consultation planned for May 17-19

The Youth Commission Consultation is a ministry to Caribbean Youth Commission Leaders through the Evangelical Association of the Caribbean (EAC). Final plans are coming together as the WEA Youth Commission hosts the Consultation on 17-19 May in St. Maarten. The purpose is to unite Caribbean national leaders who are active in and passionate about youth ministry. The event is intended to strengthen relationships between them and to explore the best means of communicating and networking in the region.

In the meantime, the EAC in partnership with the Barbados Evangelical Association has completed the first ever Survey of Sexual Practices among Evangelical Youth conducted in . An analysis of the findings was presented to pastors and youth leaders March 24^th in . It is intended as a pilot project to be replicated throughout the region and to mobilise evangelical churches in responding to HIV/AIDS in the context of holistic discipleship. The full report can be read at http://www.caribevangelical.org/pdfs/sexsurvey.pdf.

YFCI: World youth organizations connect

Paul Fleischmann initiated a meeting with David Wraight, president of Youth for Christ International (YFCI). David had served in and later as Area Director of YFC Asia Pacific before assuming the role of president of YFCI in 2004. For the first time in many years (if ever) these two major world youth organizations compared notes about the countries they serve and shared contact information about leadership. Shortly after the meeting, David Wraight contacted his YFCI area leaders encouraging them to cooperate with the Youth Commission. He challenged them to “explore ways in which we may be able to encourage our national leaders to connect with their local Youth Commissions.”

Latin America : Training up leaders

In March the Latin American Youth Commission conducted 16 hours of training with 45 youth leaders. The training capitalized on the RAICES philosophy for Youth Ministry and was very well received. Eugenia Coto, assistant to Jorge Zuniga said, “Jorge is very satisfied with the training… we all are asking for miracles for our young people... only the Lord can do through His people what needs to be done!”

Eugenia sums it up perfectly. Let’s keep asking God for miracles in each of the countries we serve.

Paul Fleischmann and Daryl Nuss

WEA Youth Commission