Being the Open Day for pastors and church members who have connected with our Catalyst 9 teams doing outreach here in Cape Town added a local flavor to the workshop delegates.

Mark Anderson, Brian Brent and Jim Stier each spoke along the theme of what God is leading YWAM into in the future, and what YWAMs unique role in the 4th wave of missions will look like. Key elements were unity, young people, being marked by the presence of God and being a people who say yes to the impossible. Brian challenged us to "take time alone with God this hour", searching our hearts in relation to unity, as "unity is a sign that we are ready for increase". Jim taught on what we need for such a time a time as this - along with eyes and hears to hear what Gods vision and Gods direction are, he also mentioned needing to be co-creators, working in innovation and working together in synergistic teams. "This is a bad time to know everything, but it is a time to learn".

Over lunch we enjoyed the sunshine as local Cape Town performers entertained us in an outdoor concert. The pools were full of people and many email addresses were being exchanged as we considered the fact that our week was drawing to an end.

We hosted a seminar specifically for local Cape Town church leaders who had joined with us; giving them an opportunity to share in a public forum what God has done through the team or teams that have worked in partnership with their churches. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with several saying young people in their churches are now wanting to pursue training within the UofN. A young women who shared had been personally led to the Lord by one of the teams, and is now being discipled by the church they partnered with. Many of us had tears in our eyes and the room was silent as she shared her story. Hers being only one of the over 1,850 stories of salvation over the past three months of Catalyst 9.
 
Other Seminars were:
Knowing God's Word - Paul Childers
Pioneering - Paul Dangtoumda
Using Media to Tell God's Story - Graham Vermooten
What God is Doing in China
College of Science and Technology - Peter Brownhill
Applying the Bible to The Spheres - Josh Sekora
GENESIS Center - Adriano Estevam
Water For LIfe - David Landshut
DTS Center - Paul Weaver and Holger Scheirn
My Story of Faith and Finances - Aleni Rivers

During the afternoon break a small army of people unfolded a map of the world so large that it almost completely covered the auditorium floor. Taking off our shoes and stepping onto the map we literally walked the nations of the earth. We then thanked each of the many, many, many individuals who have served to make this workshop possible - everyone surrounding them embraced them as their names were read out. We sang, danced and prayed over the nations before joining in with the other locations via GENESIS. After Loren Cunningham shared, we simultaneously lit a torch at each location - then turned one to another to light a candle we each held. We walked over the map, praying over where we placed our feet.



Perspectives of the Week:

'My highlight was when God blew my mind with the “bigger picture”. The bigger picture for my life and for the mission ahead that there is so much to do with a lot of opportunities. That shows also that God is not limited to anything but is complete to do everything. There is no place to far or to closed down for his love. For he has a plan for ”all”. And that is the Big Picture of God! For he died for all!"  Vernal, South Africa

“During the conference, I’ve been blessed by the opportunities to learn from others outside of formal teaching times. The Bible study allowed me to get to know two young leaders and see Christ in them! Hearing from experienced leaders during the panel blessed me as I saw their joy humility and wisdom from years of serving Christ and the mission. Thank you!”

 “The significance of the U of N in Africa: At such a time as this , Africa has the greatest needs for transformation. And the U of N is a tool for this very need. Being in Africa now is a statement of commitment to see the kingdom of God come to the continent.” Sam Kisolo. Uganda

“As the U of N workshop draws to a close it’s wonderful to be able to reflect on some of the aspects of this week that I’ll carry with me. The evening when the tribe prayed for my nation Zimbabwe immediately spring to mind. It was a time of being affirmed and loved by YWAM bothers and sisters. The following catch phrases beautifully captured the essence of this workshop: brokenness that hard times have the potential to draw me to place of great intimacy with God. You know you love someone if you are living to make their dreams come true. I want to be captivated by God and not just dedicated. I am not serving time so that I can later graduate to a life at ease." Portia Manjengwa


"The coming together of the YWAM family always inspires and excites me. The gathering for a common heart. For the discipling and the transformation of nations. As YWAM turns 50 next year the signing of the Jubilee Covenant was my highest highlight. I am renewed with a sense of responsibility that I owe my base, my country, and Africa my continent. The times of worship and processing  that all the leaders facilitated and the seminars were like a topping to the cake. Every minute was worth it." Carol Tudor, Kenya