6 minute read
YOUTH IN THE REAL WORLD
from Harvest Force 2022 issue 2
by MMS1
Noel Tam, Area Director of Nepal. He worships at Pentecost Methodist Church. He enjoys his time with his four grandsons.
It is a great privilege to be a part of our ministry in Nepal during this critical phase of the development of the Methodist Church in Nepal (MCN). Over the last three years, the emphasis has been on preparing our national leaders, encouraging and leading them, as we empower them with greater responsibilities. One key aspect of our ministry is developing our youth in MCN as part of our leadership development, “Building Capacities” for the future! It is encouraging to witness the enthusiasm of our youth in leadership and ministry. God is raising up a younger generation to get in there and gather in the harvest – to reach out to the nation of Nepal!
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Creative and fun time together to costumes for an epic fashion show.
On the penultimate day of my recent visit to Nepal in March 2022, I had the privilege of speaking to the youth through an online Youth Fellowship Service. It was a divine appointment with these 100 youths from our MCN churches and preaching points. The message for them was clear; there will be challenges in the real world and it is important for them to be prepared and equipped to manage these challenges in a manner that will be pleasing to God. They need not feel daunted by these challenges for they will not be alone. They are not of the world whilst being in the real world.
Teambuilding game.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
Looking for clues to solve a crossword game.
The youth in MCN are slowly but surely finding themselves in the real world. They have left their comfort zones. Some of them, having completed their basic education, are pursuing tertiary courses in the universities, whilst others have taken up jobs to help with the financial responsibilities for their families. They find themselves in the presence of friends and colleagues who are pre-believers, who may not have the good values, habits, and beliefs that they have. Our youth will have to cope with the social pressures that they have never experienced before. These include “free and easy” lifestyles and influences propagated by the social media that they are increasingly exposed to; desiring to be socially accepted according to the new social norms and craving for wealth and success to the extent of compromising their Christian values that they have been imbued with.
Team effort to balance a pen and move together.
MCN has a responsibility to guide our youth to “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22) We need to walk with them, to encourage, to strengthen the foundation that we have built in them since their childhood days, and not to condemn them or condone their behaviour whenever they make wrong decisions. We need to intercede for them with our prayers to help see them through the challenges of being in a real world, and to be guided by spiritual truths. We need to be kind and understanding and to reassure them that when they feel down and out, they are not alone, and they can turn to our leaders and to the scriptures for assurance. They need to realise that even as youth, God has a plan for each of them. Our youth leaders must note the words from 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
Youth Camp Follow Up.
As we support and pray for our youth, we can also learn from them. They lead by their exemplary lives - to be the face of Jesus - in their homes and the community where there are prebelievers. They are the special gifts from our loving Father. The spiritual legacy for our families and our church belongs to them. As leaders and parents, we have an important role to play. We need to take cognizance of their potential and to prepare and equip them for their roles as the next generation of leaders of MCN. They need the support and encouragement of their church leaders.
Youth Camp speaker, Susi Bolakhe, praying for youth revival.
There is a positive and encouraging trend amongst the youth, not only in Nepal but also in the other MMS mission fields. They are receptive and hungry for the Word and are keen and enthusiastic to serve the Lord. The youth meet together regularly for prayer and worship in their local churches and as a community of young believers at the Annual MCN Youth Seminars. Their Youth Fellowship Meetings are characterised by fervent worship and prayer, worshipping in spirit and in truth. They are the core of the worship teams in our churches. There is so much passion and love for Christ as they praise, worship, and pray!
Camp organisers, Richard Lepcha and Christina Pandey, with camp speaker, Susi Bolakhe.
Our youth represent the future of our ministry in Nepal. They will grow in strength and spiritual maturity and as they choose the path of righteousness, they have His promise to hold on to.
Early morning prayer walk.
