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Waterloo, Ont.
Mobilization retreat prepares staff for growing programs


“Are you hungry?” This was the central question Randy Friesen, director of Youth Mission International, asked at the staff retreat June 14-16. Sixteen staff from across Canada and the US met on the shores of Lake Huron, Ont. to plan together how to meet the mission and discipleship needs of the growing YMI program.

YMI staff met on the shores of Lake Huron, Ont. to plan together how to meet the mission and discipleship needs of their growing programs.

Staff members were challenged by stories of how people around the world are hungering after God’s heart, regardless of the cost. Friesen told the story of a recent visit to a refugee camp in Sudan, where Christians have been exiled for their beliefs.

“I was overwhelmed with the desperate state some of our brothers and sisters are in,” he recalled. “Having been banished to the desert because of their belief in Jesus, they have been left without water, food and medicine.

“I saw fathers with sick children refusing to take medicine and water because it would require converting to Islam,” Friesen continued. “What was most remarkable was their undying commitment to Jesus.”

According to Friesen, Sudanese Christians would sooner give up food than ignore their hunger for God. “I believe that this hunger for God exists as strongly in the hearts of North American youth. We need to help them grow in their relationship with God.”

Throughout the mobilization retreat, staff members shared a vision that this year’s YMI programs would focus on the hunger of this generation to know God and to seek His glory. A focus for the meetings was Psalm 81:10: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”

“God alone satisfies the hunger He puts in our hearts,” said Steve Klassen, director of YMI’s one-year TREK program. “We have the opportunity to invite people to join us in our seeking after God.”

The retreat was an opportunity for staff to encourage each other and to discuss how best to mobilize participants through “hands on” training and discipleship in a growing number of mission programs. Next year, YMI is planning nine different mission programs ranging from nine days to 10 months, with an expected enrolment of 700 participants, up from last year’s enrolment of 420.

Regional luncheons will be hosted this fall for youth workers and pastors in cities across North America as part of YMI’s “Hungry?” tour. The luncheons will feature the latest video, brochures and program information as well as reports from YMI staff and alumni. The goal will be to help churches call their youth to greater commitment and maturity in their faith. Luncheon dates and locations will be available by late summer.

Staff members also discussed how their passion for a stronger sense of global communion grows. They talked about ways to help youth and young adults grab hold of a broad vision for unity among the global MB church. It was affirmed that one way to move toward this goal is to include global exchanges, where youth from other countries serve alongside North American youth.

 – Jeanine Yoder, MBMSI

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Last modified August 12, 2000.

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