by Mary Beth Coudal

Nicola Spencer (Little Rock, AK) in front with (left to right) Cristina Ramirez (Chicago, IL), Nichol Luebrun (Los Angeles, CA) and Luke Sigmon (Oakland, CA). Image by: Courtesy Nicola Spencer Source: Community and Institutional Ministries

“It’s so cool to learn,” said 22-year old Nichol Luebrun who returned from Johannesburg, South Africa on January 4, 2007. Ms. Luebrun attended the United Methodist Global Young People’s Convocation from December 28, 2006 to January 1, 2007.

Cristina Ramirez from Chicago, IL and Luke Sigmon from Oakland, CA were also among the hundreds who attended the global gathering. The three represented the group, “Just Us Youth,” a new part of the Community Developers Program at the General Board of Global Ministries.

Currently about 35 strong, the young people from “Just Us Youth” are trained to become community developers. Money received from United Methodist Churches this Sunday, January 14, 2007, for Human Relations Day funds the Community Developers Program.

“For me, (the trip to South Africa) was life-changing -- the whole culture was just amazing. The church aspect was cool,” said Ms. Luebrun, who comes from Faith United Methodist Church in Los Angeles.

 “When we went to the children’s home, an orphanage called Orlando Children’s Home, it was overwhelming. I didn’t expect to see the kids so happy, so uplifted. In spite of their circumstances, they were so happy. That motivated me,” marveled Ms. Luebrun. “It makes me want to be more involved in my church and community and give back to the people in South Africa -- not money-wise but to keep in touch, to let them know we do care.” Caring, connecting, and overcoming expectations of failure are key components of the Community Developers program.

“Human Relations Day abolishes the myth of the haves and have nots. It allows the have nots to have,” explained Global Ministries executive Tanika Harris. Ms. Harris emphasized that the Community Developers Program goes beyond simple leadership development skills to critical thinking skills.

“I expected the worst, I got the total opposite,” remarked Ms. Luebrun about her attitude shift after visiting South Africa. 

This was Ms. Luebrun’s first international journey. She met United Methodist and Methodist young people from all over the world, including Germany and The Philippines. The Global Young People’s Convocation was organized by the General Board of Discipleship.

Caring about the children and youth in the global family, engaging in global church meetings, and surpassing expectations are just some of the ways “Just Us Youth” have become energized. Like community members who become empowered through the Community Developers Program within their own communities, the young people have raised awareness, taken action, and made a positive difference.

Community developers have followed in the footsteps of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life inspires the timing of the Special Sunday, Human Relations Day. This year, as in past years, on Human Relations Sunday during The Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, funds are raised in United Methodist Churches for the Community Developers Program of the General Board of Global Ministries.

Resources - Community Developers Program To learn more about becoming involved in the Community Developers program, you may visit http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/cim/programs/developers/ Resources about Human Relations Day UMC.ORG: http://www.umcgiving.org/content/sundays/HRD_nav/human.asp

	See Also... Topic: Donations |  GBGM events |  GBGM programs |  International affairs |  United Methodist Church |  Youth |  Methodism |  Geographic Region: South Africa |  United States |  Source: GBGM Mission News
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Date posted: Jan 12, 2007