Each of us knows the importance of supporting and encouraging our youth in their walk with Jesus. Most of us also know the challenges this can bring. Many have been touched by the disappointment of seeing a young person slide away from the church. I suspect the topic sits heavily in many of our hearts. […]

Each of us knows the importance of supporting and encouraging our youth in their walk with Jesus. Most of us also know the challenges this can bring.

Many have been touched by the disappointment of seeing a young person slide away from the church. I suspect the topic sits heavily in many of our hearts.

For a number of years now, LCA International Mission has sponsored the youth ministry of the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM BM). Through this support, the young Christian leaders in East Malaysia plan ministry camps and seminars to train their youth to be Jesus in their communities.

Christian camping programs in Malaysia see high numbers of young people attend and provide wonderful opportunities for hearts to be warmed by the gospel and lives given purpose for being God’s children.

The theme the youth have chosen for the next two years is ‘Go and make disciples’ (Matthew 28:19–20), in particular:

• emphasising discipleship to young adults in BCCM BM so that they will be active, creative and productive in doing their services
• emphasising deep discipleship so that young adults in BCCM BM can be present in the midst of society, especially in Sabah and respond with faith in words and deeds to community issues regarding economic, political, cultural, educational and natural issues. So, young adults in the church can communicate with the world, outside the walls of the church.
• to prepare and challenge young adults to keep their faith so that they can be an influencer and a leader. In the same time, they can be creatively serving and use their potential in the ministry.

As well as a dozen seminars planned over the next two years, for the first time a teenagers camp has been added to the other major youth camp held annually.

The youth leaders ask us to keep them in our prayers, particularly for the spiritual preparation and development of the mission and the spiritual wisdom and loving service of the mission.

They also asked us to pray for the spiritual development, strength and growth of the partner churches – and that includes us! May their wisdom give us hope and courage, and ears and hearts open to hearing God calling us to serve Jesus.

I pray that the hope and grace we have found in Jesus will be shared with our next generation. May we also have the grace to learn from our brothers and sisters in our partner churches.

This story was also published in the August 2019 edition of Border Crossings, the magazine of LCA International Mission.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner churches in Malaysia (Sabah) at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/malaysia-sabah/