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It was obvious that God was changing the hearts of youth at the regional Nazarene Youth Congress in St. Louis, Missouri (July 10-15). As students from all over the United States and Canada gathered, God worked through countless speakers, musicians, artists, teachers, and youth leaders to prepare the hearts of these young people to live out compassion as a lifestyle.
On Saturday morning, students took action. Ms. Princess Zulu, an advocate from Zambia, spoke to the students about the church’s responsibility to care for each other, especially those who are living with AIDS and those who are affected by it. Afterward Nazarene Compassionate Ministries gave students the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child through Child Sponsorship. Over 1,500 students responded to the call. One thousand, five hundred children around the world will now be in relationships of support, encouragement, and love with Nazarene youth. In addition, students and youth leaders gave $20,987 in one-time gifts for the Unsponsored Children’s Fund.
This marks a historic event in the Church of the Nazarene. Never have so many responded to the call of compassion in this way and at one time. The church’s youth are stepping up to live compassion as a lifestyle.
The Church is growing and God is transforming young people into faithful disciples. The Scripture reminds us, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in faith and in purity."
(1 Timothy 4:12) |