Mr Japhet Opondo, Africa East Field NYI Coordinator

From 26 - 30 October, a Youth Summit was held for NYI representatives from each of the Africa fields in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the Regional Office, and hosted by Africa Regional NYI President, Mr Kenneth Phiri. The representatives included Antenah Adisu – Horn of Africa, Frank Mills - West, Zebe Mazambi - French Equatorial, Jacob Regan – South, Admirado Chaguala -  Lusophone, Mike Lilema – Central, and Japheth Opondo – East. We were blessed to have Global NYI Director Rev Gary Hartke with us, and were joined by Regional Director Dr Filimao Chambo, Assistant to the Regional Director for Church Planting Rev Howie Shute, World Mission Communications Regional Coordinator Mr Phil Anderson, NCM/HHA Regional Coordinator Rev Cosmos Mutowa, and Regional Literature Coordinator Mr Salatiel Munedzimwe, at different times during the meetings.

The main purpose of the meetings included the following:

• Coming together to make plans for Africa Region’s Youth
• Strategizing for the ongoing development of youth ministry in Africa
• Evaluating and Developing NYI vision and mission that supports the Regional statements
• Getting to know one another, since new NYI field coordinators had been appointed
• Coming up with a template which will guide Africa Region youth ministry
• Discussing challenges that Youth Ministry is facing in Africa
• Discussing the NYC Africa 2010 Event
• Reviewing responsibilities of field NYI coordinators.

Rev Hartke took us on an exploration of NYI evangelism, discipleship, and leadership, and the GLOBAL GOL2010 in coordination with the upcoming 2010 World Cup Soccer Tournament. Rev Shute led a session on VISION AND MISSION, helping us to see the destination God has for us to reach. Rev Hartke also announced that the next Third Wave event will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2011, followed by a Field NYI coordinators meeting.

I thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity to be inspired by other youth leaders from other fields of Africa, and returned to Nairobi motivated to continue on in my ministry to the youth!

Mr Kenneth Phiri said, “As much as we planned, we had a great time! I was reminded that ‘Many are the plans of man, but the Lord’s will will always prevail’” (Proverbs 19:21).

<Back to Out of Africa 11 January 2010