wfn.org | RECORD CROWD EXPECTED AT PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH TRIENNIUM

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

30-Jun-95

95218    RECORD CROWD EXPECTED AT PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH TRIENNIUM  
 
                         By Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--More than 5,600 young people from all around the world 
will gather at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., July 25-30, for 
the sixth and largest yet Presbyterian Youth Triennium. 
 
     The event is for youth ages 15-19 and adult advisers from every 
presbytery, in addition to youth and adults from the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and more than 100 
participants from partner churches overseas. 
 
     According to Rodger Nishioka, associate for leader development for 
youth ministry in the Congregational Ministries Division, delegates will 
divide into small groups and participate in Bible study, seminars, group 
activities, recreational activities and other special events. 
 
     "The Triennium does include more than 100 international delegates who 
are from partner churches around the world," Nishioka said. "We are very 
excited to have them with us. Their presence transforms this event from a 
typical youth conference to a global, international event." 
 
     Nishioka said the international delegates will share stories of what 
it means to be a Christian in their respective countries, and nearly 100 
workshops will explore such topics as racism, rock music, gangs and 
violence, and being Christian in a secular world. 
 
     Nishioka said this is an exciting time to be involved in youth 
ministry, since churches and religious organizations are seeking ways to 
relate to young people.  Simultaneously, he added, young people in 
significant numbers are desperately searching for meaning in their lives.   
 
     "It really is a Presbyterian axiom that if it ain't broke, don't fix 
it," Nishioka said. "Well, [traditional youth ministry] is broken, so now 
we're looking for new possibilities, new ideas and new visions, and that 
seems to be sparking all kinds of [youth] interest and support." 
 
     The Youth Triennium is held every three years and was created by 
denominational staff of  the former United Presbyterian Church in the 
U.S.A., the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in 
Canada who envisioned  a gigantic youth gathering. Approximately 4,500 of 
the delegates this year are from the PC(USA). 
 
      The 1995 Triennium theme is "... and the Walls Come Tumbling Down" ( 
from Ephesians 2:14).  Preachers for the event will be the Rev. James 
Forbes, pastor of The Riverside Church in New York City; the Rev. Linda 
Ashfield, pastor of Knox Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, Ontario; Dr. 
Mitzi Minor, assistant professor of New Testament at Memphis (Tenn.) 
Theological Seminary; and the Rev.  Tom Tewell, pastor of Fifth Avenue 
Presbyterian Church in New York City. 
 
 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, KY 40202
  phone 502-569-5504            fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

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