A TWELVE-MEMBER DELEGATION from e Methodist Church in Singapore has returned with “an enriching experience” from the 9th International Christian Youth Conference on Evangelism (ICYCE) 2010 held in Seoul.
The conference, from July 14 to 21, was attended by 400 youths from 42 countries.
The Singapore team was led by Pastor Anthony Lee, a TRAC Member-on-Trial with Christalite Methodist Chapel.
The theme for the conference was “ at the world may know Jesus Christ – God’s Yes”, and the vision of the ICYCE is for young adults, aged 17-30, to celebrate Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour in the world Christian community, to experience commitment and renewal as Christian disciples, and to be trained and empowered to be living Christian witnesses in the world.
Said Pastor Lee: “This has been an eye-opening, humbling, enriching experience for all of us. Without a doubt, all of us have been blessed with a more global view of Methodism, a richer understanding of what it means to be a Christian, an increased urgency and passion to share the Gospel, a re-filling of the Holy Spirit, and the beautiful joy of deep communion with other brothers and sisters in Christ.
“I am pleased that the objectives and vision of the conference have been met.”
The programme included sharing of experiences, lessons learnt during the conference, seminars, teaching of the Word, prayer and worship.
The other members of the Singapore team were: Ian Andrew Lee (Wesley Methodist Church and Trinity eological College), Edwin Emmanuel Raaj Geevananthan (Ang Mo Kio Tamil MC), Jeremy James (Seletar Tamil MC), Gareth Yeo (Telok Ayer Chinese MC), Nathanael Ong (Hakka MC), Benjamin Ho (Paya Lebar MC), Charlene Ooi (Paya Lebar MC), Joel Tan (Aldersgate MC), Audrey Han (Bedok MC), Colleen Chan (Bedok MC) and Sophie Wong (Bedok MC).
Joel said: “As I look back at the conference, I can’t help but remember the testimonies that were shared – the struggles of how a Sudanese young man found himself walking around the country barefooted for refuge when he was seven, the Malaysian who faced opposition from his family when he came to Christ, and the Kenyan delegation that almost could not attend the conference because of visa problems, and how God brought all these to pass in His perfect timing.”
Nathanael said that he felt truly blessed to have gone to the ICYCE 2010. “Often times in Singapore, we are so preoccupied with our church’s issues and nation’s issues that we neglect the many issues that people around the world are facing. ICYCE really opened up my eyes to see that God is working in so many nations all around the world.”
Benjamin said: “It was at this conference that I learnt the true joy of praise and worship, heard inspiring testimonies of God’s goodness in the worst of places, and experienced the strongest encounter with Jesus in my life.”
Added his fellow church member Charlene at Paya Lebar MC: “Meeting individuals from around the world and hearing their life journeys with God was what inspired me the most at the ICYCE 2010 in Seoul. It is a blessing to know that each of us is placed in different situations and countries for a purpose, to sing and glorify His name in different languages but of the same meaning, and that God is using each individual for His great work.”
Sophie from Bedok MC said “ICYCE is probably going to be the best thing that happened to me this year. It dawned on me how the same God we worship in Singapore is worshipped all around the world in so many different ways, and how when John wrote ‘for God so loved the world … ’ (John 3:16), he literally meant the world.”
Colleen, also from Bedok MC, said: “ICYCE 2010 opened my eyes to see God’s amazing work not only in Korea, but in so many parts of the world!”
Added Audrey: “The Great Commission is the command God has given us to spread the Gospel … But we cannot do this except through prayer, which will help us get to know the heart of God, including how, when and to whom we are to reach out. is experience has given me fresh courage and discipline in praying and obeying God, and it is so exciting what can be accomplished if each one of us would pray and act in accordance with Gods’ will. I want not only to live out what I’ve learnt, but to spread it through the fellowship of believers as well.”