YABs mentor Ebenezer Mondez describes his journey from attendee at the Global Youth Summit (GYS) in 2015 to staff from 2022-2028 and his hopes for the Global Youth Summit. Young AnaBaptists (YABs) aged 18-30 are the target audience for GYS.
What was it like going to GYS in the USA for the first time in 2015?
The Global Youth Summit (GYS) is a mix of emotion and extreme learning. It changed me to the core.
It opened my perception about what a global church is and what my next vision would be. It gave me an opportunity to learn and absorb all this cultural difference.
At beginning of GYS, you meet other Anabaptists with theological differences. Like others, I felt shocked and wanted to move away from the kinds that are totally different from mine.
But later on, I realized that the need to be together is stronger than the desire to leave.
What is your advice for encountering difference?
I think the fear is from thinking that I will be changed to another person’s way of life or way of worship.
But you don’t have to change them, and they don’t have to change you. Have open arms, open eyes and an open heart to accept that other people’s belief is also okay. Find a place where both your visions connect and work together.
When you come to a place of diversity, ask yourself: what is my gift? what could I bring? Not just what could I get. What should I learn from this place? What knowledge do I have to share?
And when we have that mindset that we need to share something, the fear will go away because we have a mission to do.
My work is to give chances to everybody to speak and to be listened to.
What about the YABs assignment?
As in the past, one delegate from each national MWC member church represents the young people of the church.
Some have a huge church to survey, some only have a dozen young people in their whole church. But still the task is a good way to measure their commitment and church engagement.
We accept anybody despite educational attainment, so the assignment helps to get everyone on the same page. When we come together, we can understand each other.
We are hoping that after GYS, all participants will echo what they learned from each other to the youth groups they have at home, especially through celebrating YABs Fellowship Week. This will be a great opportunity for young people’s groups around the world to feel that they are part of a global family.
Extra special GYS
GYS has previously only been held along Assembly, every six years. In 2025, it also occurs at the three-year mark with the double anniversary and a proposal to add YABs delegates to the General Council (learn more next month).
In the past, the YABs Committee changed completely every six years. Continuity in the committee has been a persistent challenge. Tremendous life changes frequently occur over six years for young adults, making it difficult to commit to a full term.
Now, after three years, two YABs Committee members will continue for another three years alongside the YABs mentor while three will be replaced by new Committee members selected .
The changes will support the continuity of programs and facilitate a smoother transition.