By Jed Rosario, NLDC
Baguio City, PHILIPPINES- The National Youth Department (NYD) as the primary initiative of the newly appointed NYD director Pastor Herman Dionson, recently held a nationwide scope Young Adult Consultation at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS), Baguio City last August 23 to 25, 2014.
Originally planned for a ten (10) delegate gathering, 30 youth ministry pastors, leaders and workers from different district councils with representatives from three (3) island clusters graced the consultation. The three (3)-day consultation focused in determining the existing and potential concerns and roles of young adults and their contribution to the ministry. Discussions aimed to lead to forming a national young adult organization including its viability, strengths and weaknesses, and possible program.
APTS early welcomed delegates from far Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao on the first day to facilitate short city tours. Actual program commenced with an evening service graced with opening inspiration by Pastor Jerry Balbuena, former NYD director himself, APTS students and Pastor Marlene Yap who shared about grace and hope. Pastor Terry Ya-ao led the group in worship songs and prayer.
The cold second day opened with Sunday worship service. Pastor ThimBugtong, South and Central Cordillera District Council Superintendent shared the powerful message about cutting edge in ministries. Guests from Manila also graced the fellowship.
The delegates took part in the actual consultation sessions and activities in the afternoon. Pastor Herman oriented the group with the current NYD scope and set up with some proposed inclusions. Church young adult profiling became the central focus of the afternoon discussions. Readings and SWOT analyses, questionnaire and survey reviews, and debates provided the needed information. In the evening, planning and programming took place concentrating in a national scope young adult ministry. Pastor Herman with district youth directors had separate discussions with planned synthesis the next day.
The third day consultation sessions facilitated the reporting of proposed plan and programs and assimilation of the NYD leaders’ discussion results. A five (5) year program concentrating on branding, constitution-and-by-laws crafting, career upgrading, linkage and networking, and specific activities was crafted. To realize the program, the consultation body decided to form a national core interim group on young adult ministry with Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao equally represented. The seven (7) member core group includes North Luzon District Youth Pastor Philmore Ramos as head, Pastor Richard Santiago from Laoag, Jeddahn Rosario of La Union, NCR’s Dexter Pabilando, Scarlet Verzosa and Analisa Escobar representing Visayas and Dan Paul Muñoz from Davao. The consultation ended with the core group being prayed for and the group’s short meeting for initial plans.
