How to attract youth to the Gospel more effectively?

P R A G U E – What is the most effective way to attract attention of young people to the Gospel in the world, ceased with globalization? It was a key question of a 5-day training course at the International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) in Prague, which brought together 22 youth Pastors and theological students from 13 countries – according to the EBF press service. The event was organized by Dr. Jeff Carter, a youth work coordinator of the European Baptist Federation (EBF) in Prague. IBTS, Canadian Baptist Union and Theological college Acadia from the New Scotland became cofounders. In his interview to the European Baptist press service (EBPS) Carter gave a positive summary of the Conference: „The course is one of the most important opportunities to an advanced training on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean: it changes the lives of participants and positively influences not only youth leaders, but national Baptist Unions“. The key speaker this year became Marv Penner,  a well-known specialist in the world in youth work, a writer and a orator from Caronport/Saskatoon. He is also one of the organizers of the largest Christian youth meeting in Canada. He underlined the importance of a Christian way of life for the youth leaders in general. Only then you can really influence the youth today.

Participants highly evaluated the course. Astrid Raya from Estonia stressed: „I have never been to such training courses before. Now I pray for wisdom that I will be able to improve youth work in Estonia“. Similar expressions came from Rani Saba from Israel: „It was a wonderful week. It was clear: youth meets similar problems and concerns everywhere. Being leaders we are to be ready to help them“. Ben Treits, a youth Pastor from Monkton (Canada), gave a positive sum-up: „It became clear to me that we, perhaps, use different methods in our youth work, but our desires are similar“. The course facilitated the formation of a new world outlook in his mind. Even despite the fact that working conditions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East are far from ideal, he was struck by the innovation power, creative potential and enthusiasm of the youth leaders.