Younger generations vital in order to complete the Task
AMSTERDAM, June 24, 2023 – The Amsterdam2023 EveryONE conference continued Friday with an emphasis on the importance of including younger generations in the task of fulfilling the Great Commission in the next ten years. In the morning session, Pastor Markus Wenz of Gospel Forum Church in Stuttgart, Germany, presented both scientific research and lived experience regarding reaching the hearts of teens and young adults. He included strategies for sharing the message for those who need to hear about Jesus for the first time and those who are passionate about introducing Christ to their peers.
“We see in today’s time that Generation Z is making a difference in evangelism. Gen Z is developing as one of the most evangelistic, more open for faith conversations, exploring and sharing their faith like no other generation before,” Wenz shared. “Gen Z has a desire for authenticity and justice, they are searching for purpose and meaning, they have an openness to explore. And we know there is just one way for true meaning, purpose and authenticity, and his names is Jesus.”
A NextGen panel led by Rob Hoskins shared specific statistics and characteristics about Gen Z. The group noted that they have been called the most innovative, creative and entrepreneurial generation ever, as well as being the most numerous and ethnically diverse. They are socially conscious, individualistic, not impressed by brands, and crave authenticity and wisdom. The panel concluded that for these reasons, “this generation of young people has the potential and power to turn their generation and their world upside down.”
The final takeaways from the daily collaboration round tables were shared in the evening session. The Empowered21 (E21) team utilized AI-coalesced data to curate the robust conversations documented by participants, which were examined by a missiological team. The overriding theme from the discussions centered around the need to “create safe spaces for the Holy Spirit to move inter-generationally.” This can be accomplished by:
· Engaging relationally
· Intentional mentorship and discipleship
· Making room for the next generation
“This is why we are calling this a new era in evangelism, in that we are going to see everyone on earth hear the good news of Jesus because we are going to be collaborative in evangelism, experiential in our faith, and united in mission,” said Max Barroso, Executive Strategist for Ministry and Leadership Initiatives at Oral Roberts University.
The evening’s first speaker, Mark Varughese, founder of Kingdomcity – a growing vibrant church with multiple locations around the world – identified the three commitments required of all believers in order to reach every person on the planet: unprecedented unity, unapologetic sacrifice and unashamed hunger. “Unity is God’s secret weapon of mass acceleration,” he said.
Sara Castellanos Guerra, youth pastor alongside her husband Lau, of MCI Church in Bogota, Colombia, addressed the session next, outlining the need for cleanliness among those who will be used by God. “Everything we need to fulfill our mission, everything needed to sanctify us, God has provided,” she declared.
Russell Evans, senior pastor of Planetshakers Church in Melbourne, Australia, completed the meetings at the RAI with a rousing message about bringing believers into the Kingdom as the way to defeat the enemy. “We are gathered here to sound an alarm to the darkness of hell that Jesus Christ is here to take back what has been stolen,” he exclaimed. “The way I inflict more damage on the kingdom of darkness is to bring more people into the kingdom of light!”
Empowered21 Global Chair, Dr. Billy Wilson presented a Lifetime Global Impact Award to Cindy Jacobs. Jacobs is a longtime leader in the Spirit-empowered movement, who with her husband Mike, founded Generals International, a prayer-based organization dedicated to changing lives and transforming nations. She has spoken to hundreds of thousands in more than 100 nations of the world, including many heads of state. Jacobs has been called, “the prophet to the presidents.” She has been recognized by Charisma Magazine as one of their “40 People Who Radically Changed Our World” and is listed in the Who's Who among American Women.
Amsterdam2023 concludes Saturday with more than 100 outreach teams dispersing to share the gospel throughout before gathering at Olympic Stadium for an afternoon time of worship. Conference attendees have also distributed 30,000 invitations to individuals throughout Amsterdam over the last two days, inviting them to a “Celebration of Hope” at the stadium on Saturday evening. The concluding service is available for livestream at www.amsterdam2023.com.
About Empowered21
Empowered21 (E21) is the world’s largest Spirit-empowered relational network. E21 is comprised of a global council, international and regional leadership teams, and various work groups. E21 organizes regional and global events to inspire the Spirit-empowered community. E21 mobilizes efforts to recognize and implement effective models to answer the cry for spiritual fathers and mothers, connecting generations for intergenerational blessing and impartation and focusing on crucial issues facing the movement. For more information about Empowered21 and Amsterdam 2023, visit https://empowered21.com and https://amsterdam2023.com.
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