The LWF- Africa Youth Regional Pre-Assembly to the LWF 13th Assembly
===@Nairobi, Kenya
The Africa Pre-Assembly is underway in Nairobi, where this week Lutherans from across the continent are gathering for a regional pre-assembly to the assembly.

”One body, one spirit, one hope” Youth from across the African continent joined hands for a  session of intergenerational reflection on key challenges and priorities, and to strategise together for the Africa regional pre-assembly.

"Youth have gifts as diverse as the different ministries in the church. They want to be seen not only as leaders of young people, but as church leaders offering value to the whole church, regionally and globally," said Savanna Sullivan, LWF's Program Executive for Youth.  

The youth delegates named three priorities: youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and community, peace, and justice. 

They called for the establishment of youth governance in the member churches, commitments to quotas in the churches and intentional leadership training that is offered to young people. 

The youth also highlighted how young people in many African countries face the twofold challenges of poverty and unemployment. "The young leaders are calling their churches to look to entrepreneurship as a response to poverty and unemployment," said Sullivan about the second priority.  

The third priority of community, peace, and justice included a call on the LWF to create policies for climate justice and intergenerational justice for the communion which could be shared with the member churches, similarly to the LWF gender justice policy. "These aren't issues specific to young people, but they are passionate about advancing them in the communion and its member churches," added Sullivan. 

The Thirteenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation takes place 13-19 September 2023 in Krakow, Poland. The theme of the Assembly will be "One Body, One Spirit, One Hope." It will be hosted by the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland.

LWF/A. Danielsson
Photos: LWF/Albin Hillert


#LWFAssembly
#LWFYouth

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Young people will continue to bear the
burden if joint action is not taken to preserve the integrity of creation. We need all of us to be ecological reformers as per Mark 16:15.
Gender injustices also remain a challenge worldwide. We encourage our churches to engage in
theologies that would liberate women and men themselves and create safe space for everyone
Therefore, we urge the member churches and the Communion Office to work with us and join the chain
on:
● The enhancement of youth networks initiatives on; peace messengers, gender justice, and
environmental sustainability in our churches and the global communion by providing support and
financial assistance
● Implore the churches to address its prophetic voice against misleading theologies that put
children and women at the periphery
● We encourage LWF to create climate justice and intergenerational justice policies and member
churches to formulate to better suit their contexts
Conclusion
The church is composed of members from diverse backgrounds who share the work of God while also
playing a vital role in shaping and transforming communities. The future of the church can only be
assured by involving and engaging the younger generation. Investing in today’s youth is necessary for
growing the body of Christ. We, the youth, remain hopeful that this set priorities will be realized and that
the church will be inspired to move forward for its sustenance. Therefore, we invite everyone to join us in
prayer and to act on these priorities as means of growing a stronger and united community.

(Source: LWF Africa Youth Delegates)



LWF/A. Danielsson
Photos: LWF/Albin Hillert


#LWFAssembly
#LWFYouth

The LWF Youth Pre-Assembly
===@Wisla Malinka, Poland🇵🇱
The LWF Youth gathered together in Wisła Malinka in the Youth Pre-Assembly and discussed the different contexts and envisioned our
future under the theme “One body, One spirit, One hope”.
During the meeting, friendships were forged and there existed a universal language of joy, a
shared laughter that transcended boundaries, and a collective spirit of youth. Just like Isaiah
responded to God “Here I am, Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8), the youth are also sent to serve like any other
person in the church. They also stand together as young people from different contexts and realities.
In the Pre-Assembly they entered discussions with courage and curiosity on different issues that brought them
together and divides them as part of global communion. By validating the Assembly theme “One body, One spirit, One hope”, they focused on the common priorities that unites them as a reconciled diversity in
communion.

During the Pre-Assembly, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to work together globally and approved a message, as well as Assembly priorities that will guide the disscusions along the next years.

Rev. Anne Burghardt, LWF General Secretary, visited Wisła Malinka to extend her warm greetings to the LWF Youth Pre-Assembly participants. She emphasized the significance of the global youth network for the communion of churches and stressed the importance of continued engagement as youth leaders on a global scale.

Savanna Sullivan, LWF Program Executive for Youth, also encouraged participants to contemplate the significance of culture and the vital role of intercultural communication within the global youth network. Conversations delved into personal name stories, the concept of a cultural iceberg, and the promotion of LWF shared values.

During the session, there was a valuable moment for regional priority messages presentaquestions, discussions and dialogue, where participants shared their thoughts and aspirations for the youth work.

In the Pre-Assembly, over 100 Delegates, stewards and ex-officio council members participated from all over the world, from all continents and over 70 countries.
Wondmagegn Udessa, EECMY Children and Youth Ministry Department Director, is participating in the Pre-Assembly by representing EECMY as a delegate and presented Africa Region Priorities with other selected Delegates from the region.


'Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called...' Ephesians 4:3-4

#LWFYouth #NowAndNext #LWFAssembly

The Lutheran World Federation
LWF Youth
EECMY Youth Ministry

EECMY Youth Ministry
https://t.me/eecmyyouthministry