From June 30 to July 7, the first CCR Pan-African Youth Leadership Gathering was held, with “Multiplying Leadership” (Lk 10:1-2) as its main theme. The meeting was organized as part of the CCR’s Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine in Namugongo, Uganda. The main organizers of the conference were the CHARIS Continental Service of Communion Afrique.
Over 80 young leaders from 28 African countries took part in the meeting. They showed great zeal and desire to participate, to undergo leadership training and to receive knowledge and blessings for the youth of their countries. Many of them have travelled a long way to come to this meeting. I’ll cite the example of a group of young people from Zambia, who traveled by bus for 4 days, just to be able to take part. I’m sure their sacrifice will be pleasing in God’s eyes.
Throughout the Conference, we were able to witness the communion that exists between these young leaders. But even more than communion, it was their love for Christ that they demonstrated in joyful sessions of praise and worship that can only be witnessed in Africa. They received a wealth of teaching and witnessed shining examples of youth ministries and communities in Africa and elsewhere. The topics covered are very important not only for the leadership training of young people, but also for the building of youth communities, groups and ministries. Topics such as: Cultivating a personal relationship with the Lord; New leadership for the new Africa […] Principles of leadership; Servant leadership; Purpose, meaning and passion; Importance of vision […] Importance of involvement in the structures of society and of bringing the grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit to these structures, among others.
Special thanks to Jean-Christophe Sakiti (French-speaking CISC representative for Africa), Dr Alfonso (coordinator of CCSC Africa) and Fred Mawanda (English- and Portuguese-speaking CISC representative for Africa), who was the main visionary and organizer of this conference. Their fatherly approach and strong vision of youth in Africa reinforces our belief that meetings like this can change the face of Africa. It was an excellent example of the image that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, mentioned in one of his homilies: “Will happen what will happen: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (Joel 3:1). Who else but the young can take the dreams of their elders and bring them to fruition? This young generation can carry forward the dreams of their leaders. It is also an example for other Continental Services to follow in Africa’s footsteps and organize continental youth meetings.
On Friday July 5, the CHARIS Africa Youth Commission elections took place in a spirit of prayer and communion.
Many speakers shared the messages received from the Holy Spirit that this group of young people can change Africa. The topics covered all the important things needed to make that change happen, and it’s up to these young people and their respective leaders to implement what they’ve received and initiate the change. I know that this can only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit, so I call on everyone reading this article to take them up in their prayers so that we can all be witnesses to the New Africa, born in the fire of the Holy Spirit.
