A MISSIONARY MOVEMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AMONG SISTER CHURCHES IN THE WORLD CLOSELY RELATED TO LOCAL CONGREGATIONS
Background and a short history
This movement was born in the fellowship between the Swedish Covenant Church (SMK) and the youth organization “JNJ” within the “Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico del Ecuador” (IPEE). The first school was held in Montecristi from September to December 2004 with 22 participants and 5 leaders.
1 – IDENTITY AND CHARACTERISTICS
WE ARE A DISCIPLESHIP SCHOOL
We want more than just inform or give knowledge. We want to participate in the shaping of lives as we follow Jesus.
WE ARE A LEADERSHIP SCHOOL
We want to delegate leadership to young people with great confidence in them. Participants from one school are encouraged to become leaders in a following school under personal guidance. Some of them are trained to become responsible school leaders in the future.
WE ARE A MISSION SCHOOL
We want to equip young people with tools to preach the gospel, and put them into a situation where the have to give “reason for their faith”. We want to help every participant to plan and finish a “mission project” with personal tutorial guidance, during and after the school. We want to encourage the young people who express their call to serve in mission work.
2 – OUR VALUES
“The story continues”
Acts29 focuses on what Jesus, the apostles and the first church did, and are convinced that God will work in the same way today, by his Holy Spirit in us.
“Said and done” – Focused on the practice
Acts29 strive to make the distance between hearing and doing minimal, by putting to work immediately what we have learned. That means doing in the afternoon what we have discovered in the Scriptures in the morning
“The necessary and the simple”
Daily life at the school has to do with being provided with the most necessary things: Roof, a bed and food, and be ready to live with this in an attitude of gratitude. The intention is also, under the direction of the Holy Spirit and sincere reflections, personally and in fellowship with others, to study what is written in the Bible and immediately apply it to our lives. The teaching is not given in the first hand on a higher academic level.
“People of the way”
The teaching is often done in the “Jesus´ style”. We learn while we walk around at public places. It is also given in the “Paul’s style”, as in Ephesus in the school of Tyrannous
“Through local churches”
Acts29 is a youth movement that is living its life in close fellowship with local churches in different places. Everything is done i cooperation with national churches within an international network of sister churches.
“Crossing culture”
The participants and leaders are always of different nationality with no group dominating. The encounter between different cultures creates good conditions to interpret and apply the gospel together
“Lead as Jesus did”
Acts29 follows a model for leaders that is based on service and confidence, from the example that Jesus gave us. The shepherd is the picture that gives us inspiration and guidance for the leader’s relationship with the participants.
The young people’s capability to guide as leaders is based on the fact that they have been granted confidence to grow with a greater responsibility from time to time.
“The whole gospel”
Acts29 considers both mans inside and outside needs. Therefore we strive to fill spiritual, emotional and material needs when we minister to people.
3 – THE PROGRAM OF THE SCHOOL
Preparation
Before every school, suitable preparation is organized for the participants and leaders, taking into consideration practical as well as cultural issues and the need to understand the nature and content of the school.
The teaching
The studies are based on the gospel of Mark an Acts of the Apostles. We desire to continue to do what Jesus and his apostles did – “The Story Continues” The text in Mark is considered during two weeks and the Acts of the Apostles during seven. At the same time we deal with teaching related to discipleship:
- “What is a disciple?
- How do we make disciples?
- The fellowship of the disciple
- Prayer
- A life with the Holy Spirit
- Marked by the cross
- Called and Commissioned
This is the teaching that always is present in every school; while there will be space and flexibility to introduce some other issues. To follow the pedagogical way of Jesus, the teaching may be given for example in a park, at the sidewalk, on a mountainside or in places that underline the content of the issue.
Practice
In the beginning the places are visited were the local practice will be held in the near surroundings of the school. Teams are put together for every place. This part of the practice is held three days a week. At three other occasions practice for a whole week is planned for other parts of the country. The details of the practice have to be flexible and dependent on the circumstances in every country where the school is held.
Cross culture training
Acts 29 trains and develops the participant’s capability to live in a culture different than the one he or she comes from, in an atmosphere of deep respect and broad acceptance. All is done in mixed groups. Young people from different nationalities share bedrooms. The school is maximum bilingual with mutual translation.
Counseling
At Acts29 we care for the personal life of every participant, with the purpose that everyone will receive guidance, will be able to grow and continue to mature. Counseling conversations with a leader are planned to several occasions at the school. The leaders will receive the some care.
Leadership and delegation of responsibility
Every country, clearly represented among the participants, has a principal leader of the school. These leaders, together with the rest of the leaders group, have the overall responsibility for the realization of the school in all areas. The principal leader from the country where the school is held, is the president of the leaders group, is responsible for the regular leaders meetings and represents the school. The first year the school is held in a country, the leader who preside the leaders group may come from another country, where the school has been held before. For every team of practice there are to be two leaders with at least one who has experience as participant or leader from a former school. The practical leadership is characterized by delegation based on confidence.
Economy
The discipleship school functions with a self supporting economy, and is not dependent on contributions from outside. The fees of the participants will primary finance every school.
4 – CONTINUITY
The intention should be to follow up every leader and participant personally, and also by gatherings in places where they may meet again as a group. This vision, identity, characteristics and program is to be kept in every school, and in every country where it is held. Only then it may be called “Acts29”.
