Changes have recently taken place to youth ministries in Mongolia, the northernmost part of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD). The changes began when Pastor Munkh-Orgil Lkhagvaa was appointed as youth ministries director of Mongolia Mission (MM). The youth leadership in MM had been vacant for more than a year, but now, they have a foothold for the revival of youth ministry.
Pastor Lkhagvaa invited Pastor Kim NakHyung, youth ministries director of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD), for an intense “youth ministry advisory” to develop an overall plan for MM youth ministries. In this meeting, they set a goal and came up with a new vision for world mission through youth ministries.
In addition, for the spiritual unity of youth leaders scattered all over Mongolia, Pastor Orgil and Pastor Kim YoHan, MM president, held an Adventist Youth Conference. About 200 youth leaders, Adventist Youth members, and Pathfinder members gathered at Ulaanbaatar Central Church from April 8 to 9, 2017. Under the leadership of a new MM youth director, participants had time to praise, pray, and be united. The conference was filled with the enthusiasm of young Adventists.
Programs, including praise and worship, drills and marching presentations, and testimonies, inspired the hearts of all participants. In his sermon, Pastor Kim NakHyung emphasized Total Member Involvement and urged Mongolian youth to be a good influence in their community, personally and as Adventist church members. Additionally, he appealed to them with the theme of the Conference, “Use Me, Lord,” that Adventist youth living in the last days should live like heroes in the Bible, e.g. Daniel or Joseph, who lived by faithfulness regardless of where they lived and who they lived with.
Pastor Lkhagvaa had a brief awards ceremony for the youth leaders who have been exemplary in youth ministries and the leaders who have been dedicated to the Pathfinder ministry. MM president Kim YoHan encouraged youth leaders to establish at least three special churches—a Pathfinder Church, a Youth Church, and a Health Church—during the next few years.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the Adventist church in Mongolia is made up of youth. In comparison to other NSD countries, there is a higher ratio of young people in the church to the whole population. May the Holy Spirit be with them so that they can spread the gospel throughout the vast land of Mongolia.
By Kim NakHyung (NSD Youth Ministries Department)