A youth conference on “Youth and Evangelism: Empowering the next generation of church leaders,” jointly organised by the Council for World Mission (CWM) and the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) of the World Council of Churches (WCC), brought together 58 participants under the age of 30 from the member churches of both organisations. The three-day event was held at the Malaysia Bible Seminary from 25- 27 August.
The conference was convened in response to a growing global concern: the declining presence of youth in churches. Young people are often overlooked, marginalised, and denied a voice within faith communities. By creating a dedicated platform for dialogue, the organisers sought to invite and engage youth in shaping visions for life-flourishing evangelism, spiritualities, and societies. Participants were encouraged to return to their churches and communities with fresh perspectives, renewed courage, and strengthened resolve.
Evangelism must evolve
In his opening address, CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum challenged participants to become the church’s most fearless agents of change. He underlined that empowering young people is not only a missional priority but also a theological imperative.
Keum noted that in today’s world—marked by dysfunctional democracies, climate crises, rising secularism, and widespread scepticism of religious institutions—traditional approaches to evangelism are no longer sufficient.
“CWM’s evangelistic calling is inseparable from its commitment to life-flourishing mission, grounded in the liberating ministry of Jesus,” he said.
“The involvement of youth in evangelism is not optional; it is essential. They bring energy, innovation, and a prophetic edge. The church must walk with them, learn from them, and support them as co-disciples on the journey of mission.”
He further urged: “Evangelism is a calling for days like ours. Let us live it together as communities of faith, reimagining evangelism as hospitality and healing, as dialogue and discipleship, and as justice and joy.”
Breaking the Ice
On the opening day, participants engaged in lively team-building games that introduced them to one another’s cultures—ranging from personal trivia exchanges to energetic dance and sing-along sessions.
A highlight of the day was the story-sharing segment, where participants were divided into small groups and invited to bring an object of personal significance. Each object served as a doorway into sharing local contexts, personal encounters, and defining moments of faith. These intimate exchanges nurtured mutual understanding and laid the foundation for the deeper discussions and dialogues that followed in the subsequent days.
