Dear Beloved Colleagues:

Just returned from the Staff Conference of the Eastern Europe Region of YFC, and I am still basking in the glow of the blessed time that God, and good organisation, gave us. Almost 150 people came together in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday to Saturday, from Moldova, Slovakia, three regions of Russia (St Petersburg, Moscow and Volga), Northern Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Holland and Ukraine itself. Past World President of YFCI Jean-Jacques Weiler was the special guest, and Bob Tanner, ex-YFC and now with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, who was instrumental in starting YFC Slovakia, happened to be in town on BGEA business and came along on several occasions. Some people spent 48 hours on a train to get there, and 24 hours wasn’t at all uncommon. Bas Huibregtse from The Netherlands kindly came and gave two excellent seminars, and Jean-Jacques and Jozef Gabor, Chairman of the Board of YFC Slovakia, led the morning devotions. Each day started with prayer from 6.00-8.00am….

Praise band “Timothy” from Slovakia led the times of worship, which were very special, and each nation or region had time to report in detail on the progress of their work. Other seminars helped to equip people in specialised skills, and Regional Director Malcolm Johnston gave more details on the launch of the Resource Centres for Children At Risk (to be based in Moldova), Leadership Training (to be based in Ukraine) and Prayer (ditto). Andrey Kostishin was commissioned onto the Eastern Europe Regional Leadership Team, and was prayed for along with his wife Valya and their children.

The Russian translation of the “Three-story Evangelism” book was launched, published by YFC Ukraine. It looks great, seems to be very well done and should be a great addition to their list of resources.

Whether by accident or design, someone mentioned from the stage a phrase that has stuck with me since as a great description of who we are and the kind of young people we are seeking to produce: “People led by Jesus, who lead like Jesus and lead others to Jesus.” If we ever need a summary phrase for our Strategic Focus, we could do a lot worse. There were plenty of people there who answered that description, and it was humbling to listen to their stories.

THIS WEEK
One joy for us will be that Nancy Sagherian from Lebanon will be arriving in Northern Ireland tomorrow to visit her son Jay who is on the YFC NI Y-One programme.

National Director of YFC Ireland, Suzie Rowan, will be interviewing someone by phone on Wednesday who has applied to work with them for a year. Wisdom and discernment required.

YFC Spain has the second in their series of inter-church big events in Barcelona this Sunday.

On Wednesday and Thursday, God willing, I’ll be in Bristol, England, visiting our daughter Emma.

QUICK REMINDER
The deadline for the return of the Ministry report forms is fast approaching (15 April), and unusually, our Area is quite slow this year. To date only two lots of forms have made it through. We need to be professional and efficient in fulfilling what we agree to when we receive Charter status, so National Directors, please get moving. There is still a copy of U2-frontman Bono’s book, “Bono on Bono” waiting to go to the fourth nation to get their returns to this office.

PRAYER THIS WEEK
Monday - Spain
Tuesday - Tunisia, and Libya
Wednesday - Turkey, and Iran
Thursday - Albania, and Italy, and Sam Wolgemuth, Chairman of the International Board
Friday - Belarus, and Armenia

CONGRATULATIONS
Best wishes to Yana Mospanenko, YFC Ukraine’s Head of their Drama Department, who celebrates her birthday on Friday.

In view of the pile of paper sitting at my right hand, that has to be all for the moment. May God bless you and continue to challenge you, and let’s work, not because we know we ought to, but from devoted and loving hearts.

In His grip and grace.
John
Area Director
YFC Europe, Middle-East & North Africa