Youth HOPE :: TRANSFORMING LIVES OF GLOBAL YOUTH

E-Update

- Jun 2010 -

Committed Youth Workers in Mexico

Sergio and Holly Alvarado

The concept of youth looks somewhat different depending on the culture you are in. In Pachuca, one of the three satellite cities of Mexico City, there is a very different feel for doing youth ministry than in its big neighbor. Even though Pachuca has more than one million people, more than 25% of which are youth adolescents, it has a more laid back, small town mentality. This is where Sergio and Holly Alvarado, from the Impacto Latino team, are currently doing youth ministry. Sergio is Mexican and Holly (daughter of team leaders Eric & Dee Duggins) grew up in Mexico as a missionary kid.

Aaron Arnold, YouthHOPE’s executive director, was able to visit the Alvarados and see their ministry first hand. He had the privilege of sharing with their youth leadership team and speaking at the weekly youth meeting. The church plant that Sergio and Holly are working with is called Jubilee. It is a cell-based church and this approach has been integrated into the youth ministry program as well. In addition to a traditional church approach to youth ministry, Jubilee is getting ready to launch an Internet Café project, which they hope will be a way to reach out to the large university population. They are planning on creating a very hip and cutting edge environment where they also offer training in areas like graphic and web design, video editing and other computer related skills. It will also serve as a place where budding young entrepreneurs could go to access the necessary tools for starting a business. This addresses a huge need in Pachuca where many youth have little hope for getting a good job.

Sergio and Holly have a deep commitment to the youth of their community. That was evidenced as they rallied around a young lady from their youth ministry who was in need of a kidney transplant. Not only did they pray for her, but they also encouraged the rest of youth to spread the word that a donor is needed. One of the youth leaders passionately responded, “Let’s put it on our Facebook page then everyone can repost it on their own. We need to help in any way we can.”

YouthHOPE is very excited about how this young couple is serving the youth of Mexico. We are hoping to offer an internship opportunity with them in the future, as well as continue to support and encourage their efforts to transform the lives of global youth.

Interns are Making an Impact

Southeast Asia Team

Southeast Asia

The monsoon rains have not slowed the interns down. They’ve been teaching in Bible Colleges and sharing in youth groups. Click above to read more about their experiences and see how you can be praying for them.

Chile Team

Chile

Team Chile hit the ground running, they’ve been in four different cities now encouraging local youth ministries. Click through to learn more about each of the team members and see some pictures they have posted.

Malawi Team

Malawi

The interns in Malawi recently gathered the female youth of the village for an all girls retreat. Click above to read more about it and to figure out what is going on that has caused the whole village to come together for a few hours each day.

The International Year of Youth

The International Year of Youth Logo

The United Nations has decided that this year, until the end of 2011 will be the Year of the Youth. This means that people all over the world will have the chance to hear more about the specific needs and opportunities that exist for young people. There will be a focus on the 15 specific issues that were determined in the World Programme of Action for Youth. Some of these include HIV/AIDS, Employment and Poverty. YouthHOPE believes that the church is called to be the good and faithful servant that Jesus describes in Matthew 25:31-46. As we carry out a holistic approach to our mission of transforming the lives of global youth, we hope to utilize the attention that is being given to youth during the next year. It is our prayer that churches, governments and non-profit agencies can also recognize the great need and the even greater potential that exists within the youth of the world. Pray with us that, even though this campaign is far from Christian, that God will allow us to utilize it for His kingdom.