GTI YOUTH

CRYPTIC MOUNTAIN S1/E5

GTI YOUTH INTRODUCTION

Generation Transformed Inside BY Chesray Rhode

Upon reflection I don’t think any one of us thought that this is where we would find ourselves. It’s safe to say that we are not the same individuals who started out this journey. We have grown in numerous ways. I guess, we can say that we have not only grown but transformed. GTI (Generation Transformed Inside) youth was grounded on transformation as foundation and all that it stands for and that exact point was GTI’s birthplace. This group is based on the desire to transform a society, communities and a generation that desperately need Christ more than it needs data. A connection stronger than Wi-Fi that would not disconnect and leave them disconnected from this world. The foundational story of GTI youth is the tale of one man with a vision and four young leaders wanting to change the world one Friday at a time.

GTI youth has become a safe haven for around 100 young people on Friday evenings. It has grown into a place where not only the love of God is shared but also beautiful friendships. ”

There’s a saying, “every great achievement starts with a vision” - GTI was born in the heart of pastor Clive Williams. He is a well-known pastor in the Stellenbosch area and the Senior pastor of Destiny church which he leads together with his wife Velda Williams. Pastor Clive had a life-long dream of starting a youth within the community of Jamestown. This is the community he grew up in and where he saw a desperate need for the word of God to be shared among the youth. This vision became a reality in the year 2018 when pastor Clive selected four young people in his church to run with this vision that has been growing in his heart. Together Curtis Gordon, Chesray Rhode, Cassidy Williams and Joy Adonis co-found the GTI youth. Under the guidance of pastor Clive these four young people took the first step in the dark and trusting that God would light the way. Initially GTI started meeting once a week in the house of one of the church family’s in Jamestown. At that stage the youth consisted out of roughly 10 members who all consisted of young people from Destiny church. Word of GTI quickly spread and the youth leaders noticed that youth from all denominations started joining. There was a great need for the youth to move into a bigger building to be able to accommodate a larger group of young people. At this point the youth began discussions to make use of the Maranatha AOG church in Jamestown under the leadership of Rodney Davidse. This was a perfect opportunity for the two churches to work together in growing the kingdom of God. The youth quickly started growing in numbers with ecumenic representation each Friday.

GTI youth has become a safe haven for around 100 young people on Friday evenings. It has grown into a place where not only the love of God is shared but also beautiful friendships. The young people have found family in one another. It has been incredible to see how youth who come from vastly different socio-economic circumstances and communities are able to look past their differences and find common ground. Over these four years we have seen many tears, laughter and significant transformation. Transformation in the lives of children that have come to know God as their Father and saviour. We as youth leaders are fortunate to see firsthand how God has transformed the lives of many young people. The key scripture GTI youth was inspired by is Romans 12:2 which says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasingand perfect will”. GTI youth is not perfect but we know that we serve a God who is perfect. He does not call the qualified but qualifies the called. GTI is a youth where the undiluted word of God is preached and where transformation starts from within.