Meeting of Youth Coordinators of the Union of Evangelical Lutheran Churches

Bishkek

The annual meeting of Youth Ministry Coordinators of the members of the Union of Evangelical Lutheran Churches was held this year in the capital of Kyrgyzstan from November 12 to 16. The meeting was attended by Vladimir Vinogradov and Anastasia Razinkova (Urals, Siberia and Far East), Vera Tkach (European Russia), Vladimir Lizunov (Georgia) and the local hosts Nikolai and Maria Vorobyov.

At the beginning of the meeting the youth coordinators summarized what had happened since their last meeting, with each person sharing their own stories of challenges and joys of doing youth work. Many of the problems were shared by all, despite the differences in culture and many miles between them. Already early in their meeting they began to discuss their most successful region-wide projects. For example in Kyrgyzstan they have the "alarm clock" program, which sends out daily Bible verses to the telephones of congregational members, friends and acquaintances using the "WhatsApp" program. Or the "School of Leaders" training program in ELCSUFE, which has young people training up the next generation of youth leaders. And, of course, they spoke about a large number of summer camps, day camps, conferences and trips. 

The coordinators also spoke over Skype with Caroline Bader, the Youth Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, about the possibilities of working with young Christians from other countries. She told them about the possibilities for developing cooperation. She also suggested that they join the Young Reformers Network. Not long ago, in August-September of this year, they met in Wittenberg as part of the preparations for the 500 anniversary of the Reformation. The idea is that young people unite others in a project in one of three areas - people, creation, or salvation. Caroline noted that Vera Tkach has already taken the first step in that direction; she visited the conference in Wittenberg, and now is leading a project of cleaning up historic Lutheran sites in Russia. For Lutheran youth in the CIS this might be a first sign of development in international relations. 

At their previous meeting in Georgia the youth leaders decided to form a "Evangelical Youth" movement, uniting the staff of youth work throughout the CIS. They spoke about how the first year of this project went and noted that it is very important for motivation and for unity. Over the past year 3 youth worship service have been planned and held in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. They will continue and in 2017 a big youth conference dedicated to the anniversary of the Reformation is planned. 

The schedule of the meeting was planned in such a way as to maximize the amount of time the coordinators could spend with congregational members from Bishkek and the surrounding areas. They took part in a youth group meeting with the theme "The Kingdom of God" in Bishkek, visited the congregation in the village of Ananevo and Sunday services in the villages of Vinogradnoe and Tokmak. On the 14th of November there was a youth gathering in Vinogradnoe with more than 70 young Christians from around the country in attendance together in order to learn about following Christ at the "Iron Man" seminar, led by Vladimir Vinogradov. 

Thanks to the warm hospitality of the Church of Kyrgyzstan, the Vorobev family, Bishop Alfred Eicholtz and many others the time spent together in Bishkek was not only comfortable, it was unforgettable. 

Vera Tkach