Third Wave 2007 Stories

Caribbean Perspective

Front from left: Leslie Ann, Christina, Dhariana, Fabienne
Back: Monte, Walliere, Sadrack, Kevin, Jameel, Roberto, Eric, Kadri

Third Wave NYI Conference for young leaders … Johannesburg, South Africa … January 2007. A year ago, it seemed like just a dream, an incredible opportunity that seemed too good to be true, and too difficult to attain. Plane tickets that cost up to $3,000. Registration fees. Visas. It didn't seem possible.

However, our impossibilities are not too difficult for our awesome God! Because of God’s amazing faithfulness and love for us, He made a way possible, through the faithful and sacrificial giving of his people, for 12 of our leaders from the Caribbean Region to attend this life-changing conference. Here is what some of our participants had to say about their experience at Third Wave:

“Third Wave was an amazing conference and was very life transforming in nature. I thank God that He afforded me the opportunity to be a part of it. … I will never forget the experience of the foot washing service. Forever will it be etched in my memory. … I take back home the passion and fervor of the young people of the church of the Nazarene.”

“Before my participation at this event, the NYI Caribbean Region was a vague idea for me --not to say the Global NYI-- because I did not know anybody and we were not really in connection, but now things are different. I am really a part of the NYI Caribean region because I am in connection with many other leaders.”

“It was awesome!”

“I am the first person from NYI in Cuba to ever attend an NYI event outside of my country. I have been impacted as I’ve seen what NYI is on the global level. I thank God that we can be connected at last to NYI around the world!”

“Third Wave brought light to the situations of my brothers and sisters around the world, and has helped to shape in me a global perspective. I was reminded again that not only am I to care for others, but that caring must result in action for others.”

“My paradigm of the world has been shifted. I return to my home to share what I’ve learned and mobilize my people.”

“I was exposed to many things that I had never been exposed to before. My heart has been challenged and stirred. I saw that I’ve been a spectator for too long. I left South Africa with a strong resolve to be active in my world!”

“I don’t have words enough to express my feelings about Third Wave. Being here with people from different parts of the world with different languages, united as one, worshipping together ... I’ve met so many people here, seeing how faithful they are. Wow! I saw people who had nothing, yet were content. Their faith had taken them through their difficulties. This has had a great impact on me.”

“The mission day was my favorite experience of the event. I was privileged to love and play with children who had AIDS. This was the first time that I had ever done anything like this before. God used this to confirm His call on my life.”

“I had a great experience with others from all over the world, and I was impacted by their testimonies. I loved my opportunity to work with the children.”

“I was inspired with new ideas that I want to implement with our youth groups at home.”

“God had a plan for me to come to Third Wave. I return to my country with a new determination and passion to serve God.”

“I received strength to continue on, and a reminder of who my brothers and sisters are!”

“It was amazing to be with so many other young people who love Jesus like I do, and to see him working in their lives. … I go back to my local church and district and field to serve as a better equipped leader.”

So what exactly was this conference that had such an impact on our leaders? Third Wave, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, was a gathering of emerging youth leaders in the Church of the Nazarene. More than 225 youth leaders from 55 countries and all seven world regions arrived by air, bus, and car at the Good News Convention Centre for the January 3-7 conference.

You will be happy to know that twelve of the 225 world-wide leaders were from the Caribbean Region. Those in attendance from our Region included:

1. Dhariana Balbuena – Spanish Field Representative ( Dominican Republic)
2. Kadri Paris – English Field Representative ( Guyana)
3. Christina Singh – Dutch Field Representative ( Suriname)
4. Fabienne Pierre-Louis – French Field Representative ( Martinique)
5. Leslie Ann Inniss ( Puerto Rico)
6. Roberto Viera Villamil ( Cuba)
7. Jameel Lee ( Antigua)
8. Kevin Douglas ( Jamaica)
9. Eric Hitzert ( Suriname)
10. Sadrack Nelson ( Haiti)
11. Walliere Pierre ( Haiti)
12. Monte Cyr (Regional Office)

Experiencing Africa and connecting with each other through prayer, dialogue, worship, workshops, meals, and service projects in the local community were some of the main focal points of the event. All of the participants came to learn from each other, to become better equipped to lead youth in their respective ministries, as well as broaden their scope in thinking globally.

From the moment of their arrival, these Nazarene Youth International (NYI) leaders exemplified the love of Jesus and a depth of spiritual maturity through their conduct and conversation.

The theme of "ONE: One Story, One Hope, One Justice, One Mission" was woven throughout activities each day of the conference.

Representatives from each of the world areas were given the opportunity to bring a message from the Word, share a testimony, participate in the worship team, or conduct a workshop or other activity. Your Caribbean leaders represented our region well. Each who participated in a formal leadership role (Kadri preached in a main service, Dhariana shared her testimony, Roberto led in prayer, Walliere shared about injustice, Jameel led a workshop, and Christina participated on a praise and worship team, etc.) did so with excellence, and the Caribbean presentations at the cultural night and talent show, with all Caribbean Region participants contributing, wowed the audience!

Each morning began with a time of worship, testimony, and a devotional based on the day's theme. Regional caucuses, workshops, and an open forum were also part of the agenda.

At the world market, crafts and goods from each region were sold and displayed to create better cultural understanding.

To stress the importance of "One Justice," attendees visited the Hector Pieterson Memorial and the Regina Munde church in Soweto where they witnessed the long-term effect of apartheid on the society in South Africa.

The compassionate lifestyle of "One Mission" was carried out through hands-on ministry to others in service projects at various churches, child development centers, and camps. Participants painted, conducted puppet shows, mowed grass, helped with clean-up or construction, served food, played with children, and had conversations with people from different backgrounds and lifestyles. Reports from the service project sites and the participants were extremely positive.

On Sunday morning, Africa Regional Director Eugénio Duarte spoke on "Going." General Superintendent J. K. Warrick led the commissioning service on Sunday afternoon. Referring to Jim and Elizabeth Elliot, missionaries to the Aucas in Ecuador, Warrick noted the couple was prepared to go their separate ways instead of letting anything detract them from God's purposes for them. Jim Elliott's life story has touched the entire world. Warrick told conference attendees "The story of the future is in your hands. Give your all to God and extraordinary things will happen."

Finally, Jurisdictional General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf led the communion service and Global NYI President Monte Cyr led a foot washing ceremony. These were significant times for all present. Conferees left the event with grateful hearts; encouraged, challenged, inspired, renewed, and better informed about and connected to their Christian brothers and sisters around the world.

Thank you to all of you who faithfully and sacrificially gave to make this transformational experience possible for our young leaders! Please be praying for them as they transfer what they learned to practical living and ministry in their home countries and fields.

(Thanks to Linda Braaten, NCN News-Africa, for her contribution to this article.)