Can you imagine...

Can you imagine 450 youth leaders getting together from all over South Africa? Can you imagine what happened as they got trained, inspired and envisioned over 4 intensive days? With the theme “God's agents for a changed society” there was enormous excitement. This event reached across all traditional boundaries in the church of Christ, to empower, enthuse, enthral, excite, uplift, deepen, sharpen and generally shake up the young leaders of our day.

For all those who are leading, or plan to lead, young people to be agents for change in Africa, this was the place to be this winter! Youth leaders were able to rub shoulders with most of the significant youth ministry professionals in South Africa today. All the major youth ministry organisations, like Scripture Union, Youth for Christ, UCSA, SCO and more, were involved. The event also drew some of the top researchers in youth ministry, under the guidance of Graeme Codrington, for some refreshing new insights into the field.

The conference was planned and run by over 50 leaders working in 10 different teams. Sponsorship was made available by The Institute for Youth Development to assist disadvantaged youth leaders to attend as well as to provide delegates with outstanding resources. Each group represented at the conference received over R300 worth of outstanding resources to enable them to run effective groups and to tackle the social “giants” facing young people today. The program was filled with dynamic Praise and Worship, top Youth Speakers, life changing workshops, extreme fun, exploding the leadership potential of youth leaders. Exciting new friendships were made. There were life changing teaching and experiences, resulting in deeper and more intimate fellowship with Christ. This event will go a long way toward making every young life count and to changing youth work in South Africa.

The conference was run from the 7th to the 11th July and was based at the Youth for Christ Training Centre in the Magaliesburg Valley. 3 Other campsites in the valley were also used.
While significant sponsorship was raised for this event we had a flood of last minute applications requesting some sponsorship. This has left the organisers with a short fall of R10 000.00 out of a total budget of R260 000.00. Please note the bank details below, for anyone wanting to donate to the SACLA Youth Leaders Track.

Bank Details: SACLA Youth Assembly
First National Bank
Boom Street
Branch: 221325
Acc: 6206 365 6618

written by Mr Brian Helsby, SACLA National Youth Track Co-ordinator

"A delegate's report"
Travelogue

I must admit that when first approached about attending the SACLA Youth Assembly I was rather reluctant, and full of reasons why I did not think I would go. But following a near lethal combination of chocolate cake, and plenty cups of coffee, as well as some very polite nagging, I eventually gave in. (In retrospect, I’m rather glad I did!).

We left Otto’s Bluff fairly early in the morning (04:15) on Wednesday 7 July, and after brief stops in ‘Maritzburg and Howick to pick up passengers, set off for the Magaliesberg. The drive to Johannesburg was quite pleasant, traffic and weather causing no delays or problems. After some “creative navigating” we eventually found our way to the campsite in the Magaliesberg. God certainly granted us “travelling mercies” there and back.

Facilities

Upon arrival, we registered, and then sat down to the first of many lovely, warm meals. The quality (and quantity) of the meals was excellent! It is truly amazing that the catering was of such a high standard considering the cost of attending.

I think we all expected the weather to be fairly cool, but I think none of us were prepared for just how cold it would really be! With more than 500 delegates in attendance, obtaining a warm shower became an elusive art indeed!

Programme

Most days featured combined “worship” and “plenary” sessions, where delegates from all the various tracks came together. The “worship” sessions included a live band often accompanied by multimedia displays. The plenary sessions featured a guest speaker on a relevant topic.

During the day, delegates split into their various tracks, of which there were four (Church-based, Tertiary-based, School-based and Futurewatch). We were part of the “Church-based track”. Each track offered daily sessions on a variety of topics by different speakers. The quality of the speakers was outstanding and their topics very relevant. Many talks were accompanied by excellent multi-media presentations.

Themes

A number of themes emerged from the conference and it was amazing to see the same themes emerge in a number of different speaker’s presentations.

One of the main themes, and challenges, of the conference can be summed up as follows:

“Know the Truth. Live the Truth. Teach the Truth.”

In this case it’s “Truth” with a capital “T” (John 14:6). The importance of relationships was stressed throughout the conference. If we do not have a right relationship with God, we cannot live godly lives and we cannot expect to teach others about God or how to live godly lives. Leading and teaching are best done by example and through relationships.

Not surprisingly, leadership was a major focus of the assembly and most of the track-based sessions dealt with leadership concepts or tools relevant to leadership (such as communication, counselling etc.). While the church in Africa is growing at a rapid rate, there is a dire shortage of leaders to cope with this growth. Descriptions of godly leadership and examples of leaders in the Bible were quite inspiring and indicting. In one session that I attended the secular idea of leaders and leadership was contrasted against Biblical examples of people whom God called to be leaders. It is reassuring to note that God seldom called “superhuman” people to be leaders and that God sees far more potential in “ordinary people” than we may see in ourselves. One example that featured in more than one talk was Moses. When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, and told him to go to Egypt and speak to Pharoah to let the people of Israel go, Moses made the excuse that he did not speak well (Ex. 4:10). To us it might seem like a rather legitimate excuse. One sort of has sympathy with Moses at this point, and it is rather surprising to us that God rebukes Moses for making excuses, by asking “who made the mouth of man?” (Ex. 4:11-12). If God has called us to do something he will provide the tools or the helpers. Gideon and David were both “the least” in their respective households, yet God called timid little Gideon a “mighty man of valour” and young David, whom everyone in the house of Jesse had seemed to have forgotten about, was destined to become King of Israel and the “slayer of tens of thousands”. God could see the potential that no-one else could. How easily do we not make excuses for ourselves, or underestimate the potential of others?!

Another key theme, was social responsibility and a challenge to the Church to play a concrete role in meeting the needs of the poor, in deed, not only in word (Is. 58:6-12). Frequent references to Is. 58 and 61 brought the message home that the Church needs to help people in need in practice not only in preaching. Not surprisingly HIV/AIDS featured strongly in this regard. Different sessions discussed among others (1) the historical failure of church leadership in Africa to address moral issues regarding sexuality and faithfulness in marriage [how else can the high rates be explained?] (2) the misconception held among many believers that HIV/AIDS is somehow a curse or punishment upon its sufferers handed down by God [just think of all the AIDS orphans who are born with the disease] (3) the success of pro-abstinence and pro-family programmes in AIDS prevention in other countries such as Uganda. If only the leadership of this country would take note! The well-made and touching film “Beating the drum” was also shown. This movie, which chronicles the life of a young AIDS orphan from rural South Africa, portrays the reality of HIV/AIDS in South Africa in a very personal, matter of fact way, without succumbing to being either sanctimonious or “politically correct”. You do not get the feeling that the film is trying to “sell” you anything. Its strength lies in its subtlety.

The conference challenged young people, youth leaders and emerging leaders in the Church to be “change agents” for a changed society. One speaker mentioned that “nations are changed by changing the people who lead the nations”. Once again the influence of godly leaders and the importance of leadership development in our society cannot be underestimated.

The challenge now that the assembly is over, is what to do next! We need to apply what was learnt, and strive to become godly agents for change in our society, by knowing, living and teaching Christ. This may however require us to leave our “comfort zones” in order to truly be effective and fulfil God’s purposes for us!

by Mark Naude

'God's Agents

'God's Agents for a changed society' - was the theme for this years' South African Christian Youth Leaders Assembly, held from 7 - 11 July 2004 at the Youth For Christ Training Centre at Cyara, in the Magaliesburg. About 450 youth from all over South Africa led and facilitated this truly godly and dynamic, energy filled power encounter with God's young people. Brian Helsby, previous director for Youth for Christ in South Africa was the organiser. Tracks focused on 'Church Based Youth Leaders' with Zolile Photo, from Dukathole attending this dynamic transformation opportunity. Fiona Pelman attended the 'School Based Youth Leaders' supporting her ongoing involvement in local schools in Aliwal North and assisting her studies to qualify as an educator. My focus was 'Future Watch', being a prophetical attempt at prediction for Christian Youth and in impacting the Future in God's redemptive Love.

With the rapid development in technology, espescially IT, Information Technology is increasing access to information with globalization and the World Wide Web, our youth are far more advanced than we would like to acknowledge. Youth in fact are in many ways driving the cutting edge, 'pushing the envelope' as far as development, innovations and espescially regarding opportunity in the highly competitive 'world system' is concerned. However at best our Church system and structure, which all too often does not understand the youth at the best of times, espescially the frustration and struggle to understand spirituality in this age of 'consumerism' and multi media marketing, is seen worshipping materialism, idols, instead of God. Bombarded by information, specifically challenging sexuality and youth the options can be quite bewildering. However in all this God is speaking, leading and challenging His people to be leaders by following Lord Jesus. This message was reinforced by well known consultant - television personality and last years' SACLA organizer, facilitator Mark Manley. Quoting Nelson Mandela who recognises 'The Church as the strongest force in the Nation', we desperately need to unite in order for this redemptive fact to become a reality, in order to receive God's 'commanded blessing' Psalm 133: 3. Believers and followers of Lord Jesus are leaders, who know the way, go the way and show the way. "And you will be known as the priests of the Lord, the servants of our God. You will enjoy the wealth of the nations, and be proud that it is yours." Isaiah 61: 6. The way is JESUS who is the way the truth and the life, John 14: 6.

At last years SACLA the youth put great pressure on the denominational structured divisions to unite and obey God, in defeating HIV/Aids, poverty, crime, racism, violence, sexism and family violence in Jesus perfect Love. The energy, zeal and commitment of the youth in following and living Jesus is what is going to save this nation. A challenge for the youth of Aliwal North to follow and truly be 'change agents' in God's love through following and obeying Lord Jesus.

A very special thanks to Nellis Potgieter and Deon DuPlessis for making this a powerful investment opportunity for Aliwal Norh youth and local Christian development.

John-Michael Tawse
Tel/Fax: 051 6333210
Cell: 082 6944789
Skyrun web site: - www.skyrun.org.za
"Escape to the Mountain, lest thou be consumed." Genesis 19: 7

The Foxfires arrived at the Youth for Christ training centre on the 6th July. We helped out with some administration in the evening. Wednesday morning we had registration where the Foxfire team played a role by taking people to their different venues.

We will be speaking on the impact it had on us individually:

Most of the Foxfires were involved in the Schools based tracks where we exposed to the issues that young people are facing and how we as leaders can stand up and say that we are going to do something about the problem at hand.

Chrystal: ‘What stood up for me everyday was the free time from 4pm – 6pm where all different race groups just come together and enjoyed sports and getting to know each other. One of the highlights was the time of Praise and Worship where we really felt God’s presence.”

Dino: “I was part of the church based youth leaders track. The atmosphere was very exciting meeting young people from different cultural and ethnic groups so hungry for Jesus Christ. I have sat in Bert Watson’s sessions before but this one was very different,

I suppose because of the seriousness of the AIDS issue at hand. There was only ten of us in the track because not everybody is willing to tackle this huge problem. I had a spine chill hearing a lovely young lady sitting next to me disclose her HIV Positive status. We were also encouraged to learn that a young man sitting among us became HIV Positive after being raped on his way home from school, but now 10 years later finds him completely healed after committing his life to Christ. I felt that there should have been more emphasis on prayer, and mobilizing young people to pray.

Casta: ‘We had good lectures and great speakers from all over the country and they have changed my life and challenged me in many ways. My purpose to go to the conference was to be equipped spiritually and emotionally, physically and also to learn more in the leadership skills. I have learnt many things at SACLA which will help me to grow more.’

Bongi: SACLA was one of the most powerful and historical events. I’ve ever attended. Firstly I was blessed to see so many young people who were committed to serving the Lord, so .hungry for Him and so enthusiastic and excited about what the Lord is doing. The speakers were powerful both in the main tracks and plenary. Also one of the evenings I had a great time of prayer with the young people from 20:30 to 03:00am

Julian: One of the major highlights was meeting many people who are involved in the ministry, many who have sacrificed good jobs to be in the ministry serving God and His people. We were able to encourage each other and be united in our mission to see South Africa changed into what God wants it to be. It was awesome to see people from all races coming together and worshipping God and being united in purpose. One of the most important topics I listened to was that of mentorship and accountability because I had been exposed to very little of that. I realized that in order for you to fulfil God’s purpose for your life there needs to be someone in your life that will walk alongside them. I also realized that I have to start having a clear vision for my life and to always see things from God’s eyeview.