Participants share how God has worked in Jakarta
Deep fellowship spanning nations. Diverse sessions provoking thought and inspiring action. Students, staff, and board members spurred on by sharing personal experiences and practical advice with each other. These are some key ingredients in the four-yearly IFES World Assembly.
With 900 participants from 161 countries (and over 100 small groups taking part online), this year’s global gathering in Jakarta, Indonesia, was no exception. But don’t just take our word for it. In this edition of Prayerline, we’re giving voice to some of the participants:
“The theme Tabah dan Tangguh was so touching for me – to be resilient and stay in God’s kingdom, even if the situation doesn’t look like God is with us. I understood that I should always focus my eyes on Jesus and be steadfast and know that God is on my side and be confident in him.” Student, Francophone Africa
“This theme has really helped me have perspective – that we are not the only ones going through a really difficult time right now. Being here you feel like you are part of a big family.” Student, Ukraine
“We have been encouraged to lead faithful lives… and impact the next generation. Even if we don’t get to see that play out, we trust that God will continue the work that he has begun in us, just as he has continued the work in us that he began in generations before us.” Staff, North America
“I realised that although we might have very different backgrounds and all sorts of different cultures, in the end, we’re all here for the same thing: we all want to serve in the student ministry and help spread the gospel more.” Student, East Asia
Give thanks with us for World Assembly and pray for those now returned home:
- Give thanks for the highly engaged student delegates (many of whom led small groups during the week). Pray they will be able to enthuse students in their national movements with the vision and encouragement they have received.
- Give thanks for the staff of national movements and IFES regional ministry who were refreshed and reconnected. Pray that God will continue to uphold their ministry and that such international fellowship and partnerships will be a support in difficult times.
- Give thanks for the delegates who came from national boards and for the IFES board, elected during World Assembly’s General Committee. Ask that they would be filled with wisdom so that they can discern how our local, national, and global ministry can be most effective.