next generation

i don't always blog on the cn gatherings that i attend, but i'm grateful for a week-long of faithful bible teaching up in the mountain over the past week. next generation is a conference aims at equipping people involved in the youth and children ministry.

the core activity is the strand group that teaches how to unpack a bible study that is true to God's word. i was doing strand 1 that looks at a passage in the new testament (John 14:1-7). the daily programme was quite packed but followable. i didn't feel exhausted at all, apart from the company of nasty coughs throughout the whole week! but thank God i can follow and enjoy the whole conference.

in the morning, we listen to the talks by grant ratief, a humble yet insightful south african pastor, exposing from john 14-17. grant's talks were clear and helpful, without too many points. during the night, carl mattei gave talks from genesis 1-9. if i have a chance, i'd like to listen to his talks again, which was interesting, but i found rather difficult to remember much without proper notes taken down.

sandwiched in between were the strand group activity and workshops covering the topics such as the strategies for a youth group ministry, evangelism, one-to-one personal ministry and the life of a spiritual leader. these are all very informative, which needs things to be put into practise to make them count.

needless to say, i had also enjoyed thoroughly especially the singing and the funs brought along the interviews, games and competitions. the interview with john chapman was particularly inspiring. john graciously urged people to be faithful to God for the long term, just as he still finds himself keen on serving God at his old fruitful age. there were also heaps of encouraging prayers. i remembered one of the prayers on the last day was very much a recap of the many things we've learnt from the talks throughout the week, how edifying at the same time depending on God!

i think there were around as many as 300 people attending for that week, mainly the uni students. there will be another week of the same programme happening next week, so do remember to pray for this. we came with around 18 people from our church. it's delightful to get a chance to attend the conference with some of the evening service peeps.

oh, have i not told you what the theme was all about? it's regarding the spirit-empowered life. i think it'll take me a few weeks to re-digest them.