MANILA, PHILIPPINES (ANS) — Research continues to suggest that there is an ever-widening gap between the Church and today¹s youth.
With an exponentially rapid rate of change underway, young people are submerged in a tidal wave of technology and moral revolution sure to make the smart phone and social media craze of today appear as a mud puddle in comparison.
As a result, many leaders have grave concern over the growing competition for the hearts and minds of young people and are finding it increasingly difficult to reach the younger generation for Christ.
Sensing that it is time for significant change, steering committees in 45 nations have come together to create and facilitate Jesus Global Youth Day (JGYD), August 8-10, 2019 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines, and coinciding with the United Nations International Youth Day.
A number of denominational heads from around the world, along with international organizations such as Empowered 21, have also joined together to form a JGYD global advisory council aimed at uniting church leaders and encouraging them to focus on the next generation.
Bishop Ef Tendero, secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance and co-chair of JGYD states, “We are gathering youth from all over the world to lift up the name of the Lord Jesus, to declare the commitment and the desire to follow Him all of their lives. We truly believe that this will be a historic event.”
JGYD 2019 will be streamed live to 1,000 locations, partnering with 10,000 churches with the potential of reaching up to one million Filipino youth alone. And for the very first time, on the night of August 10, another 100,000 churches filled with young people from all over the world will join a global broadcast that will unite millions of youth in the name of Christ.
The three life-changing days will include a Global Pastors Congress on the Next Generation, a Global Youth Leader Congress, and evening celebrations led by internationally acclaimed speakers, worship bands, and artists. The global broadcast finale on Saturday evening is designed not only for Christian young people but will also target non-Christian youth as well with a fresh, relatable presentation of the Gospel that will enable them to stand firm amidst today¹s deceptive culture.
“We are not out to reinvent the wheel,” states Ron Luce, co-chairman and director of JGYD and president of Generation Next.
“We are gathering some of the leading minds who have already proven to be effective and asking them to share best practices with those in attendance. We are simply acting as curators of what they have already learned. In doing so, we hope to encourage other leaders with the success they have achieved in spite of the cultural challenges they face.
“Christianity is losing ground worldwide, so it is vital that the Church remains relevant and exponentially effective in reaching our youth. We must ride the crest of the wave, or we will be crushed by it. We believe that JGYD will be instrumental in achieving that goal.”
Church leaders are also invited to bring their young people a week early, July 31- August 7, for a mission and outreach experience in the Greater Manila Area where youth from all around the world will live out their faith by sharing the good news about Christ with Filipino youth and children.
Churches and organizations in the Greater Manila Area will host these groups and lead them in the one-week outreach effort. Churches outside Metro Manila and elsewhere in the world may design and host their own youth conference in their own community and will be provided with sample programs, activities, and JGYD materials such as event logos and brochures.
It is important to note that the vision of JGYD extends far beyond the August event. Their goal is to not only learn over their 3 days together, but to create a global network of church leaders that are committed to reaching and discipling the next generation and extending the kingdom of God globally through their united efforts.
Watch Jesus Global Youth Day Shout Outs at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4x92-w9Qok.
For more information on JGYD and its programs, visit Jesus Global Youth Day https://jesusglobalyouthday.ph/ and follow JGYD on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
