Why We Do What We Do
As I looked out on the
people of all ages sitting on rocks and tree roots in our natural amphitheater
I thought to myself, ‘surely Jesus must have taught in a setting similar to
this’. The eyes of Paraguayan leaders
and youth from four different churches looked at me expectantly. Though not a huge crowd, I was so glad to
have this opportunity to speak about the importance of youth ministry in
Paraguay, South America. As Youth Champions for Rural Paraguay, every month God
gives us opportunities like this one to champion youth ministry throughout the
southern quadrant of the country. The
reality is that youth ministry is a recent development in Paraguay. Evangelical and Protestant churches have only
seen significant growth in this country within the last twenty years and have
only become aware of youth ministry within the last decade. The result is that almost all Paraguayan
youth we are working with are either first or second generation Christians!
Imagine; an entire
nation of youth growing up without a single example of another Paraguayan who
has faithfully walked with God his or her entire life. In many households the most committed
Christian… or the only committed
Christian is the youth of that family.
He or she may go to youth group or even a Sunday morning worship service
out of a sincere desire to draw near to God and fellowship with brothers and
sisters in Christ. But if they do so it
may be without their parent’s advocacy.
In more difficult situations parents will even oppose their children’s
involvement in the local Evangelical church.
Knowing what you probably do about youth today, you can imagine that it
doesn’t take much to drag a Paraguayan youth back into the World and its ways. All churches must be equipped and actively
working to reach the next generation at all times! This is why we believe championing church
centered youth ministry in Paraguay, Latin America, and the rest of the
Majority World is so important.
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