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<\/a>\u201cThe small groups were my favourite part of the Congress,\u201d said Ruth from Greece. \u201cI liked that we stayed in the same group throughout, because you meet people and get close to them. I also liked the workshops, especially the one on \u2018Faith Crisis\u2019.\u201d Gabriel, from Brazil, said he liked the diversity and multiculturalism of the event. \u201cIf I attended a congress in Brazil, I would only meet other Brazilians. Here, I was exposed to so many diverse cultures!\u201d The diversity was also seen in the ingredients and food served at the congress as Anna, from Greece shares, \u201cI was surprised that the porridge was savoury, the food here is very different to my country. But it was nice with jam.\u201d<\/p>\n
The music was a big winner, with many participants describing signing together as, \u201cthe best part of the congress.\u201d<\/p>\n
Focus on What Unites You During a short interview, Niklas shared with me how the band would get together and prayerfully choose songs which would bring people closer to God each other. Every time they went on stage at the Lahti Sports and Fair Centre, their thoughtfulness and selflessness inspired me and filled me with hope for the future. \u201cThe music team laboured throughout the winter and spring to prepare the songs, the music, and themselves for the congress. But all that work paid off immediately when the participants started singing and praising God with us,” said Niklas. “Time and time again we were deeply blessed to witness the Holy Spirit using our efforts to touch so many people. Worshipping God together with thousands of young people is such a powerful experience, there is nothing quite like it. I can\u2019t wait for the day we\u2019ll all join the heavenly choir to sing the loudest praise ever to our God!”<\/p>\n The Beginning of a New Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n During the Sabbath programme, twelve people were baptised, a beautiful way to close AYC22, but also a pointer for the beginning of a new journey\u2026 the journey of daily faith and growth. \u201c<\/em>For those who worry about the future of the church, look at these twelve people!\u201d said TED Youth director Dejan Stojkovi\u0107 beaming with joy. He is right – the journey has only just begun, and the best is yet to come!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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\n<\/strong>How do you successfully lead over 2,500 young people coming from completely different cultures together in worship? According to Niklas Rantanen, a young Finnish professional and congress band leader – by looking for common ground. \u201cWorship is definitely not about music, and it\u2019s not even about singing. Worship is about praising God in every possible way. But singing with music is a powerful tool to engage and excite people to join in on worshipping Him. After all, God Himself created music and the way it resonates with us, humans,” Niklas shared. “At AYC, our goal was to create a space where as many people as possible would participate in worshipping together, despite our varied cultural backgrounds. We tried to select songs from different eras and use various musical elements to have something familiar but exciting for everyone. Some might ask, \u2018shouldn\u2019t we seek first to please God and not just people\u2019s music tastes?\u2019 But God is not pleased by any specific music genre, but by the true worship that happens in your heart. And that\u2019s what we tried to create.”<\/p>\n<\/a>