Now in its 33
rd year of
International Team ministry, Youth Encounter recently sent out five
International Teams (more than any previous year) for their overseas
destinations. New Vision and Cross Fire left on January 13. New
Vision is returning to Victoria and Tasmania in Australia for the first time
since 1993. They are working with the Council for Lutheran Youth of
Victoria and Tasmania – a ministry of the Lutheran Church of Australia.
Cross Fire continues its three-year rotation this year with a visit to the
French-speaking West African countries of Togo, Benin and Cameroon (and
probably a couple more countries if they have time!). Rainbow of Promise departed
on January 14, continuing its ministry in various locations of India and
Nepal. On January 15, New Dawn and Watermark began their ministry
overseas. New Dawn is partnering with Lutheran churches in Singapore,
Malaysia and Hong Kong. Watermark is visiting Denmark, partnering with
Indre Missions, an independent Lutheran organization dedicated to the revival
of Christian faith in the young people of Denmark.
All of the International
Teams have been invited by Lutheran Church bodies from the various countries
mentioned while often working across denominational
lines. During the time they are overseas, International Teams are
used by their host organizations to support and
enhance their existing ministries. This is done in a variety of ways
including, but not limited to, ministering through music, puppets, drama and
spoken word in schools, prisons, hospitals, private homes, churches large and
small, and on street corners--encouraging Christians and sharing the Gospel with people
who may have never heard it before. Through all these experiences,
it is our prayer that team members and the people they meet will together be
encouraged and strengthened in their mutual faith in Christ and in their
understanding and love for one another.
For more information on Youth Encounter’s International Teams
and National Bands, log on to
www.youthencounter.org/teams/.
