3 August 2018 | Kassel, Germany [Victor Hulbert]
For some it’s just entertainment before the preacher stands up to open The Word. For others it is a passion, using their creativity to share Christ. For one member of the drama team performing each evening at the Global Youth Leaders Congress in Kassel, Germany, it is, as he describes it, “my only place in the church. It’s my work, my love.”
That may equally be the basis behind iCOR, the concept of an intergenerational Church of Refuge that is being deeply discussed and recommended for implementation around the world during this congress. At it’s core, this kind of church is based on relationships that help grow acceptance and discipleship. That is the kind of message that has come through strongly with the German group, Drama Ministries.
Julia Eisfeld, who leads the group, emphasises, “God gave a lot of great talents and creativity and we try to use it for Him.” She notes that Jesus taught via word pictures and stories. “When people see, they understand better,” she says. Her aim is to touch people’s hearts and bring understanding.
That works for Maysie Keye, attending from Denmark. “I’m really enjoying the dramas because they are thought provoking without even needing words. They give a variety of different messages to ponder and consider.”
Creative arts can develop mission in many ways. With a particular focus on teens, an international film crew from Germany and the USA are assisting British Union Conference Youth director, Dejan Stojkovic, with powerful and sometimes humorous video messages that summarise each day at the congress. They can be found on his YouTube channel – also home to a weekly blog that shares his life as a youth leader.
“I started vlogging at the last General Conference Session in San Antonio as a way of making church activities understandable to my teens,” Stojkovic confesses. It worked! His blogs developed a following and now he uses it for ministry. His style of informal conversation also helped mould the formula for the highly successful Reformation Journey series developed last year by the Trans-European Division. The aim again, was to take the story of 500 years ago and make it relevant and applicable for today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DctdR9LTxz0
Similar forms of creativity can be seen at exhibition booths, from the main-stage, across the meal tables in passionate conversations, and at the night café. The hope of this Congress is that the passion and creativity seen here will expand exponentially as leaders return home to share, train and teach a generation of youth that can transform and bring hope to a world in need of a Saviour. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, editor; Sajitha Forde-Ralph, associate editor
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