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Michelle Demers
Age: 23
Country: Canada
Your current project(s):
I am working as a SOAR Program Intern with Youth Mission International (YMI), www.youthmission.org . YMI is a short-term ministry of MBMS International, the global mission agency of Mennonite Brethren (MB) churches in Canada and the United States. SOAR is the youth division that offers various programs throughout Canada and North America for youth to grow and develop as leaders and disciples of Christ through engaging with and building relationships with people from different cultures and life experiences.
How do you participate?
This fall I am leading a team in preparing some urban missions programs in downtown Toronto for NYC'04, the MB National Youth Conference 2004, www.4youth.net , that takes place this December. We are taking several hundred teenagers on two programs during the conference that will introduce them to the contemporary city, experience the rich diversity of cultures that exists within Toronto, and challenge them to interact with people living in downtown Toronto. We are going to explore the opportunities, challenges, and needs of the city, as well as the ministries at work there, seeking to understand God's heart for the city and His presence there. Then we will direct these experiences to ways they can impact our daily lives back home and how we can be a greater part of our hometown communities around Canada.
When did you start?
My internship with YMI and preparation for NYC'04 has just begun this month! Previous to that, I have been involved in YMI programs in Mexico City and Ensenada, Mexico. Through other opportunities with my university and church I have been involved in urban programs in Toronto. This has led to my involvement in programs for NYC'04.
Why is youth participation important?
Our future values and activities are shaped by our actions today. People are designed to share our lives and work together, each and every person having something unique to offer. We don't realize our purpose until we begin to get involved with our community, our country, our world and see how we as individuals fit into the bigger picture of the world we live in. And it is a world of opportunity out there! Matthew 9:36 - 38 says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field". Simply put, there are needs out there and there are people out there with the potential to meet those needs - youth! You!
What can be done to promote more youth participation?
I know there are so many great opportunities out there for youth to get involved, on a local, national, or global scale. How can we make these programs more available to youth though? It's a challenging time of life, getting through high school and often dealing with monetary stresses for the first time too. But for a lot of youth, these experiences can be the key moment to turn around or encourage a tough time of life and build future dreams, right? This doesn't answer the question. But I think these programs need to be made more available through schools especially. Or can organizations that provide these programs build partnerships with schools?
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