Indonesia, a country of 17 000 islands.
Jakarta - the capital with more than 13 million of people, 5 million of scooters and 3 million of cars.
I'm sure I've been to a beautiful and interesting country, but this time I didn't really get the chance to explore it.
However, there is no regret because my reason for coming to Indonesia was extraordinary.
YLG - the Lausanne 2016 Younger Leaders Gathering took place in Jakarta from 3 to 10 August.
Together with Jany, a colleague of mine, we participated on behalf of Slovakia / TCKompas.
Even though we were preparing for this gathering during the whole year, I can say that only there I realized how HUGE that event was and what kind of impact it can /will/ have in the future.
The Lausanne Movement connects influencers and ideas for global mission, and so more than 1000 younger leaders and mentors from over 140 countries met for one reason -
to connect,
connect,
and connect.
The main theme "United in the Great Story" focused on the biblical story of God's purposes across human history. Daily we were called to action - to frame, create, repent, reflect, love, reconcile, praise and join others in the mission.
Connections took various forms during the program - regional meetings, 1on1 meetings, mentoring groups, spontaneous meeting over the meal or while you were waiting for the elevator, etc.
I am thankful for people who already processed it and wrote a thorough summary about the whole event. You can read it HERE.
I would like to add only few personal takeaways!
ENCOURAGED & INSPIRED & CHALLENGED
.by how the whole event was planned and run
Their intentionality behind every part of the program (teaching, drama, worship, testimonies, workshops, ...) was obvious. It wasn't about organizing a conference. It was a gathering - where people could meet first of all with God, and then with each other, listen, learn, observe, ask questions and dream.
.by seeing the bride of Christ in all of its diversity
You could find everyone in this crowd ;-) A businessman, teacher, full time missionary, youth worker, pastor, retired church planter, mom, and so on. No matter which part of world or social group we are from, we all face the same struggles, frustrations, battles and joys as well. He is the One who unites us, encourages us. He uses our different contexts, approaches, experiences in order to reach everyone (as he wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth).
.by wisdom, vulnerability of older leaders and their and willingness to share the 'lessons learned' just as Ole-Magnus Olafsrud, Mutua Mahiaini, Kristina Alikhanyan, Andrea Roldan.
"Are you going to have a name or be a voice to people around you?"
"I cannot minister with being alone with God and in His Word."
"I've learned many times that prayer saves time!"
"It's easy to burn out, cause you think you there is no one to sacrifice (singles in ministry) BUT actually you sacrifice your relationship with God and yourself."
.by corporate worship
What a joy standing and singing next to brothers and sisters from Europe, Africa, Asia, America, ...! It literally felt like a taste of heaven. "...and there before me was a great multitude...from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne..." (Revelation)
.by the connect croup #119
Jake (USA) Ebenezer (Nigeria) Preeti (India) Ewa (PL) Jean-Noel (Martinique)
Dividing people (strangers) into groups can be tricky...it can turn out pretty bad, but this time IT WORKED! There was something special in the combination of our age, countries and experiences. Throughout the week we shared and listened to our stories, prayed for each other and actually, we are still doing it (thanks to WhatsApp :-))!
