8th International Christian Youth Conference on Evangelism (ICYCE)

That The World May Know Jesus Christ
8th International Christian Youth Conference on Evangelism (ICYCE)
19th to 26th July 2005, Brazil

The International Christian Youth Conference on Evangelism was organized for youths aged between 17-30 from all over the world. It was organized by the World Evangelism/World Methodist Council in co-operation, under the leadership of Mr. H. Eddie Fox with the Department of Youth and Education of the Methodist Church in Brazil. The vision of the conference is to cultivate a desire and a burden for witnessing to unbelievers all over the world, and to celebrate the World Christian Community.

Seven of us from the Methodist Church In Malaysia participated in this conference. Representatives from TRAC (Mr. Jared Tan), SIAC (Mr. Carlteddy Ak Adi), TAC (Mr. Jacob E.), CAC (Ms. Amy Gan), SPAC (Mr. Wong Ding Ming), SCAC (Rev. Tony Chieng and Rev. Wong Choon Yien).

The total number of participants for the 8th ICYCE were about 360 to 380 young people and youth pastors from around 36 different countries. A majority of the participants came from South and North America. The Malaysian delegation was the biggest Asian delegation at the conference. Other Asian countries represented were Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Prayer and Communion was held every morning at 7.15 a.m. before breakfast. The morning worship sessions were hosted by the different continents who were present. Each delegation led in a culturally unique worship and teaching session. The Asian delegation lead the worship for the morning session on Tuesday, 21st July 05 and I shared on the freedom of worship in Malaysia and the struggles we face in sharing the gospel to other unbelievers in Malaysia.

After the morning sermons we were split into our Family Group sessions, in which participants were divided into smaller groups for discussions on the theme for the day. Every group had about 6-7 people of different races and cultures. Through the family group, the delegates were given a chance to share their experience in their countries and at the same time build friendships with friends from other parts of the world.

In the afternoon we had DISCOVERY sessions, where delegates were given the option to choose workshops pertaining to faith sharing, spiritual development, World View, Spirituality, Christian Mission, inner healing, acting short dramas, youth with a mission, Christian politics and many others.

Bishop Lockmann the Bishop of the Methodist Church in Brazil shared about the work of God in Brazil, and some of the evangelistic ministries they are currently doing in Brazil. On Sunday afternoon, the delegates participated in an evangelistic rally around the city of Teresopolis, which was called the March of Witness. The march concluded in the city square, with a loud and telecasted outdoor praise and worship session. Evangelist Gracie Imathiu, from Kenya, Africa, a famous evangelist in Africa gave the message at this rally.

The 8th ICYCE was well organized and the Brazilian reputation for hospitality was duly noted and definitely left an impact on the Malaysian delegation. The 8th ICYCE successfully brought young Christians from all over the world, and united them over a period of a week. The friendships built here would last a lifetime.

By Jacob Emmanuel
MYF President
TAC