Big Storm…Big Mountain
As I pause to write this note in the blog, I am watching us receive a huge amount of snow. This storm will probably be our second storm here in Ohio to produce more than 10 inches of snow (25.4 cm).
Mountains of Nepal
One country that recevies huge snowstorms is the country of Nepal. Big storms often surround the big mountain of Everest. Nepal is the home of the highest place on earth, Mt. Everest. Our team from the Philippines recently returned from a big trip to this country of the big mountain. Needless to say, our big God led them and met them there. Here below is an article by Bennette Pena, our administrator in the Philippines for GYMN. Bennette has traveled in Asia and throughout the Philippines as a trainer as well with GYMN. Enjoy listening to her big heart for God and missions.
“I have a big story to tell. It was a surprise for me. I was hoping to go to Myanmar when Ghie encouraged me to go to Nepal instead. Having heard about Nepal from Ghie and Jomesh and having seen beautiful pictures of it, I couldn’t be more excited. I felt butterflies in my stomach. I knew it would be another great experience of God’s glory. God had started my 2010 with a great privilege and honor from this trip. With more than half of the fare I’ve raised (still raising for the half by the way ), I thank God that I’ve made it to the Himalayas, country of Nepal.
While on the way to Nepal, I kept remembering these three words – purpose, faith and challenge. I believe God was preparing me for His purpose that He wanted to accomplish in Nepal. He has a purpose and He will accomplish it!
Trainers (left to right): Pastor Jik, Jomesh, Bennette, Ghie
After a quick lunch at Jomesh’s house (GYMN’s host and coordinator in Nepal), we had to rush for an eight hour travel to Pokhara, where the training was held. Every evening we had to walk in the darkness from the venue through the fields to the place where we’re staying. I never felt tired but rather enjoyed the cool weather. There were 54 faithful youth leaders in Level 1 and 16 in Level 2. Some have traveled 2 to 4 hours just to get to the venue of the seminar. Ghie gave a powerful challenge in the first session. God is at work, and He never stops. It amazed me to personally witness how God is moving, working and calling people to work with Him on the other side of the world. 98% committed their lives to be the influencer of their faith where God had placed them to be.
Tears of the Saints video was shown on the graduation day. Once again God stirred my heart in missions. He reminded me of His great commission.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Nepalese youth leaders comitting to ministry and the Lord
He desires to see disciples in all the nations, for that He will be most glorified. He’s going to make this happen. He’s accomplishing it right now together with His chosen people. God will not stop revealing His purpose, giving faith and challenging us to go and work with Him.
How amazing to be able to know and see that, in just one training event, God is accomplishing His purpose in me, in Ghie, Ptr. Jik and Jomesh, in each of the youth leaders who attended the seminar, in the country of Nepal and in the whole world! What a big God we have, telling a big story beyond my comprehension.”
To know more about GYMN and how you can be a part of His big work through dear leaders like Bennette see : http://gymnintl.wordpress.com/support-us/
No One in Nepal?
Do you believe that together we get to impact young people for Christ in a real way by training Christian youth leaders around the globe?
Jomesh Tamang - Nepal
I am listing below a recent blog-post by Jomesh Tamang from Nepal. Jomesh, just finished hosting a team of three GYMN (Global Youth Ministry Network) trainers from the Philippines into Nepal, where together they trained 75 youth leaders. These leaders on average impact at least 20 other youth. This training alone will impact over 1500 young people. Wow! Jomesh is a coordinator of trainings as a volunteer currently and we would love to have Jomesh on staff when additional funds are available. Since Nepal neighbors India and China (the two most populous countries in the world) we see this as very strategic.
Youth leader worships at recent GYMN trainings
Jomesh states the following about the situation in Nepal:
“Nepal used to be the only Hindu kingdom in the world. But then two years back the Maoist-led government declared this country as a secular state which allowed every individual to practice their faith openly.
The church growth in Nepal is as rapid as in other Asian countries. God is moving so mightily in this little country to build and make His Kingdom lifestyle to each and every individual, raising and reviving His Church where there are lots of belief systems and people have many confusion about the spirit world and frustrated by their own belief systems. God is raising pastors, leaders, evangelists, bible teachers, speakers, women leaders, children ministers, youth leaders and worship leaders in this country to draw His dear children into His kingdom.
Level 1 and Level 2 Trained Christian Youth Leaders
God allowed me to speak in many big youth conferences in the year 2006 and I asked the same question to the youth leaders who attended those conferences throughout the country “How is the youth ministry in your church?” Almost everybody replied. “I am a youth leader in the church not because I am trained and know how to lead youth but because there was no one…”
Those answers really caught my heart and I knew since then that most of the churches have no idea about youth ministry— this has been my passion since then to train youth leaders of the local churches to see their youth ministry become more effective in discipling young people in God’s way and their leaders to understand the value of youth ministry and trained youth leaders in the Church.
We praise God that He is raising God fearing young people in this country but then there is so much to do and to see Christian young people leading the change in the communities with Kingdom value so that the Kingdom taste will be tested by everyone in this little beautiful country. This is why there is a need for training youth leaders and the youth ministry in Nepal.
Be praying and be a part of what God is doing in this nation.”
(Chris’ notes – thank you for enabling us to serve Nepal through our staff and volunteers. Your support and prayers made an impact and we need your continued support and/or additional donations to continue to follow-up and train more leaders in Nepal and neighboring countries http://gymnintl.wordpress.com/support-us/)
Jomesh Tamang
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Pakistan and Philippines
You may or may not realize all of the turmoil currently happening in Pakistan (the Islamic Republic of Pakistan), but it is a very dangerous place right now. Wars are being fought between the Islamic extremists and the local government along with the assistance of US and other troops on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Terrorists bombings in the cities are occurring almost daily. A highly volatile time is at hand in Pakistan.
GYMN has had over 210 participants in various training events in Pakistan.
In the midst of the explosiveness lies the expansion of the Gospel and the inner peace and divine security that only Christ can bring.
For four years we at GYMN have been engaged with leaders in and from Pakistan to assist the local, small but vibrant, Christian churches. Typically in this culture the youth have no meaningful roles, so we are challenged to help the young church see that future leaders will come from the young people and they are to be developed at a young age.
We have seen development taking place, due to your support and prayers and the hard work of our team from the Philippines. Over the past four years our Philippines based teams have been entering Pakistan to work with local church pastors and leaders so that youth can be evangelized and developed into Christian leaders.
We just received reports from our team in Asia, that in November the local leaders that we have trained and partnered with over the last four years just completed their very own locally run training. Pakistani church leaders are training their own leaders on how to reach, disciple and multiply spiritually! Wow! God is amazing in providing the right dedicated contact people in key strategic areas of our world, even areas that are not easy places to be for the sake of Christ. You and I are deeply privileged to get to walk beside our dedicated staff, volunteers and local leaders, who love Christ and others so deeply that they would risk their own safety to proclaim His name. I am excited to see His people being trained to reach the lost, even in extreme situations. Thank you for being a part of His global work that we all get to do together!
Trekking to Nepal
Snow capped moutain as seen from the GYMN training venue.
I personally have learned to really enjoy snow. I figured I live in the northern part of the USA in north central Ohio, so I might as well embrace the snow versus allow it to be a negative. So as one who enjoys snow, nature and cross country skiing I really hope to get to travel to Nepal some day. However, if I ever go there the purpose would be training youth workers and working with our friends there, including Jomesh Tamang.
As I write this blog post, Jomesh is hosting 3 of our Filipino trainers: Ghie Morado Qaisar, Bennette Pena and Pastor Jik. Together they will conducting our Level 1, Level 2 and a Level 3 (training of trainers event) over the next two weeks. They plan on returning to the Philippines office by the 24th of January.
Ghie, Bennette and Jik (left to right) now in Nepal leading trainings
Pray with me for our friends there as they minister.
Leave a comment so the team there knows you are praying for them!
He is Doing What?
Have you ever been in a conversation, when someone says something that is just a little bit short of unbelievable about someone else? Maybe someone tells you that your mutual friend has sold their house, changed careers to something very much unlike that person, moved across the country, and sold their prize possession car. You may respond with the following, “He is doing what????” with a very surprised look on your face. Well I want to update you on what He (the BIG HE) is doing!
This is a good time of year to pause and say, “He Is Doing What”? This year has been full of challenges, changes and impa
ct. Despite the challenges and changes in budgets we have seen impact that can only be attributed to His steadfast care for this His ministry and His people around the globe. Allow me to highlight for you some key impacts that we have seen this year: 10 year anniversary in the Philippines: We have now been working in the Philippines for over 10 years!
1. Through that time we have had almost 3,000 participants in our trainings in this country alone (Philippines) .
2. New and dynamic leadership in Africa: 2009 saw God bring us a dynamic leader for our ministry in Kenya, Africa—Pastor Ken Aringo. Ken, brings his fundraising and passion to get things done to our global ministry team.
3. Work in Nepal: Nepal has an official percentage of Christians of .045%! Despite this low number God has opened up a window of freedom and His spirit is moving in great ways. We have conducted two trainings now and look forward to developing a small team of Nepalese trainers early in 2010!
4. 25% more leaders trained over 2008 numbers: 449 in 2008, 603 trained in 2009! Despite a drop in funding we were able to still train more leaders.
5. Over 100 young people committed to go into full-time ministry! Imagine with me 100 full-time workers and the impact alone they will make in peoples lives!
6. Stabilization of International Office Operations with the addition of a Director of Management. Matt Pounds joined GYMN in late 2008 and has made a huge contribution to operational side of the mission in 2009!
7. Birth of the Heart of the Leader vision and plan. God has laid out the need for us to answer the question of “who is ministering to ministers”? We are working now on materials and praying for a budget to roll out this exciting ministry to all Christian leaders.
8. GYMN adds Soccer Kicks 4 Kids as a ministry partner. Started by Alex Kuenzli a 12 year old in Ohio, Soccer Kicks 4 Kids’ stated purpose is to: Collect gently used or new soccer equipment that will be sent to children worldwide to help share with them the love of Christ (http://soccerkicks4kids.blogspot.com).
9. Exciting and warm visits from our overseas staff and volunteers! A joy for us here and for those of you who met them personally to hear about His story in their lives!
With all that God has been doing in and throug all of us in 2009, let us dream about what we can trust Him to do in 2010 together!
Merry Christmas from the GYMN family to your family!
Merry Christmas to all of the incredible supporters, staff, volunteers, trainers and the phenomenal youth workers around the globe!
GYMN Christmas
Come All Ye Faithful!
A favorite Christmas carol has begun to ring through my mind, especially as I think of the supporters, trainers and staff of GYMN. That carol is, O Come All Ye Faithful.
Consider the first verse of this carol:
O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant
O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him born the King of angels;
O come let us adore him Christ the Lord.
Some keywords that make me thank of our GYMN particpants (supporters, staff and trainers) are, “faithful”, “joyful” and “triumphant”. We have faithful supporters, staff and trainers in this mission. These people joyfully give to His work globally. In addition, they will see His triumph in the future as they see the impact face to face of the millions impacted through young Christian leaders globally.
So let us each one, “come”. Come to behold (not to just pass by), but to behold and adore the One who is eternally faithful, who provides us all joy and triumphs so that we may triumph as well.
We conclude our thoughts just as this grand carol concludes ” Jesus, to thee be all glory given”!
What deserves our all?
The word all, is quite amazing. We use this word frequently to describe something. Like, “all” encompassing, or to go “all” out. There is no misunderstanding when someone says “all”. It means “all”, nothing missing, left out or spared.
I am in awe of all that God has done and continues to do. First, I think of all of the GYMN family, its supporters and prayer teams. We all work together and give together to make all of this mission happen. All of the finances for this mission come from all of you: churches, businesses and individuals. For over 13 years now you all have listened to God’s leading to impact all of the 7700 participants in the trainings we have done to date!
God has enabled all of us together to impact young Christian leaders from 46 different countries! All of this is to bring God Himself all of the glory and honor He deserves. Each of us realize that this is all because of God and it is all happened by His strength and working in each of us.
Consider all of these 7,700 Christian youth leaders and all of the people that they have impacted over the 13 years. Think of all of the people that will be impacted for years and years to come by the work of these equipped leaders. Together, we are impacting all of eternity!
Let us be honest and admit that we are not all engrossed, all the time on eternally focused items. Thankfully God is all in! He has done an incredible work in this mission and will continue to do this well into the future. Let us pause and remember that we all get to do this! We get to pray, give, go and share to all the nations as He asked us to do. I keep saying this over and over lately, “We all get to do this eternal work! Wow…I am all in and in awe…how about you?
In just 15 days…
Jomesh - Youth leader, Host of GYMN in Nepal
Asia Director Ghie (left) pictured with Chris Davis (GYMN Intl Director) (middle) and Ghie's husband Ejaz (right)
…top level leaders from our Asian staff and volunteers will be coming to Ohio and the surrounding area from October 28th through November 18th.
Rey - GYMN volunteer from the Philippines
is one of those times. Email us at info@global-youth.com or call our office (419-756-4433) to find out where you can meet these fantastic young leaders!
K-2, 13,000 and 4 million!
Numerous youth leaders meet with Chris Davis after responding to God's call into full-time vocational ministry!
In the previous post I talked about our ministry in K countries, specifically South Korea and Kenya. I want to continue the postings here now as we go to look at Kenya.
In Kenya, we have an incredible team that is growing every week it seems. I (Chris Davis) just returned from a wonderful trip to Kenya and then into Uganda. During this trip I was able to spend some quality time with some key people within GYMN. I met with several volunteers who have given time in developing marketing materials (t-shirts, hats, logos, brochures, etc…). These items will promote GYMN and raise funds.
Africa Director - Ken Aringo mentors youth leader in Uganda.
We also set up our GYMN Africa Board of Directors. This group of youth focused mature leaders will give input and guidance to the staff and provide additional links to ministry partners and supporters.
The training trip from Kenya to Uganda involved Ken, Jane, Annette and I (Chris Davis). In Uganda we put on a very strategic training. We were welcomed by the largest denomination within Uganda. The Church of Uganda has over 13,000 local churches with a membership of over 4 million people. That means that statistically 1/2 (or 2 million) of those in the churches would be youth! What a huge mission field and an incredible future army of laborers for Christ. These leaders are the leaders that will impact not only Uganda, but all of Africa!
Ugandan youth leaders laugh together with GYMN staff after completing their Level 1 training.
We trained leaders in the capital city of Kampala. In the future we are hoping to do follow up trainings as we develop local Ugandan’s to be trainers that can then spread the trainings throughout the country and to join with our Africa team to take the trainings around the continent of Africa!
We all get to do this work, through time, talent and treasures! Thank you for following God’s call of making disciples of all the nations as you do your part.
