How are we planting missions seeds in youth and young adults?

Planting missions seeds in youth and young adults and watching faith take root

Do you ever have that moment of “what have I done”, “I hope this works out”… or “all comes to plan”!

Elim’s first ever missions conference for Youth and Young Adults was hosted by Elim Missionary Craig Brotherston and piloted at Ealing Community Church this year. The heart behind it was to allow our youth and young adults to explore and engage in Global Missions. Our God is a Global God, who desires to see the world saved, and we wanted to create a space, more than just a one-off meeting, to facilitate what we believe God is doing in and through this ‘silent revival’ generation.

To say that God did more than we could have asked or imagined is an understatement!

Youth and young adults came from far and wide, Penzance, the Isle of Wight, London, Northern Ireland, Estonia, Derby, amongst other places.

From the word ‘go!’ there was a sense of excitement and expectancy for what God was going to do in and through their lives. As we come with open hearts, God never disappoints, and His presence was tangible as we worshipped and prayed together.

It was a treat to hear from many of our Elim missionaries around the world who sent in short videos, sharing where they are serving in the world, what they are doing and how we could pray for them. We heard in-person stories from missionaries who sat for question-and-answer sessions, and it was revelatory to hear the feedback from a panel of MK’s (missionary kids) on their experience and how God used them on the field and returning home!

Seminars inspired us to look at how we could respond to the need, the call… are you a GOER, a SENDER, or a PRAYER?

Craig Brotherston said, “Most people struggle a little bit to capture the heart of global missions or a global God through one sermon or presentation. So to have 2 days with youth and young adults to explore how the whole church can be involved in international missions was a dream come true! I believe with all my heart we are in a new 'missions moment' in the UK and Ireland and I can't wait to see what God will do with this generation! The Global God Conference was an amazing start!”

Daniel, a young adult who came from Swansea to attend the conference, described the conference as, “Encouraging and sharing the reality to come for those who chose to say “Here I am! Send me.””

There is such a need to be intentional in training, inspiring, equipping and teaching the younger generations for the Mission of God, and Global God Conference saw much seed sown in the hearts of our youth and young adults… out of little acorns, mighty oaks arise!

We look forward to the next Global God Conference, watch this space and join the conversation.

This article was first featured in the Your Elim newsletter. You can read the Your Elim newsletter here, and sign up to the newsletter here.