wfn.org | UMNS# 04578-National Youth Council established in Philippines

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National Youth Council established in Philippines  

Dec. 9, 2004	 News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470* 
Nashville {04578}

NOTE: Additional resources are available at http://umns.umc.org.

United Methodist News Service

The Philippines Central Conference approved "a long-held dream" of youth and
young adults when they voted to create the National Council on Youth Ministry
during the 18th session of the conference in November.

"This was our dream when we were still in youth, we are now young adults,
please don't let this remain a dream," said Gideon Salatan during Nov. 27
deliberations on the resolution to create the council.	"We don't have a
clear Central Conference council or board to take care of our issues."

The council will serve as a forum for the issues and concerns of the National
United Methodist Youth Fellowship and the National United Methodist Young
Adult Fellowship, which covers youth and young adults from 12-40 in the
Philippines.

"Lack of regular conversation, coordination and consultation between the two
youth organizations has somewhat promoted isolation and indifference," said
Mayette Oria, president of the youth fellowship, and Edward Santos, vice
president of the young adult fellowship, in their petition to the Philippines
Central Conference.

Oria appealed to the body to pass the resolution saying, "this is what the
youth and young adults need today if the church wants them to be developed as
future leaders of the church." She said a national council would "give voice
to these two organizations."

A National Youth Desk was also approved to insure the implementation of the
national youth ministry council, monitor the programs of the two
organizations, assist in planning joint programs, and ensure budget
allocation for the council. 

"The creation of the National Council on Youth Ministry represents an
exciting time in the life of the Philippine Central Conference and the United
Methodist Church," said the Rev. Lillian Smith, top executive with the
Division on Ministries with Young People. "This new council will provide
young people with additional avenues to live out their call and ministry on
behalf of Christ in the Philippines and the world. We celebrate with the
Philippine Central Conference and look forward to sharing in ministry with
the National Council on Youth Ministry." 

The Division on Ministries with Young People was overwhelmingly approved by
the 2004 General Conference in May. The division was created to provide a
central place for youth, young adults and workers with young adult ministries
to find direction for their ministries.

"This has been a long-held dream of our youth and young adults here and we
are very happy for it's approval," said the Rev. Rona Dumagos, adult worker
for young people in the Philippines. "Please join us in the celebration as we
covet your prayers in the journey of the council's beginning."

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

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United Methodist News Service