DOCUMENT 7 D7.1

THE REPORT OF THE CENTRAL YOUTH COMMITTEE (CYC) TO THE 22ND G.A. – APRIL, 2018 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

a) Placement and Mandate

The main programs operated within the department are as follows

-To call young people to be disciples of Jesus Christ -To respond to the needs and interests of young people - To work together in partnership as young people and adults

-To be connected to the whole Church, community and the world -To include all young people, reaching out, and inviting them to belong to the community of faith

b) Programs and Flagship Projects The main flagship projects includes the following:-

-Operation Timothy program – OTP

-Operation Mabati Campaign During the year under review OTP was active. A total of 25 students received their scholarships.

Operation Mabati Campaign did not actualize due to the timing of the restructuring of groups. c) Human Resource and the Committee

During the year under review the department had only one staff, the Director. Central Youth Committee was active only in the first quarter.

e) Major Events During the Year Major events were only two i.e. leaders summit at Zambezi and participation of the Central Youth

Committee in the 2nd GAC of the 21st G.A at Alliance Girls High School in April, 2017. 2.0 PREAMBLE

During the year the Youth Department was being guided by the words of 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

The main focus was to call the youth to grow in the following areas: -

Physical growth Intellectual growth Social growth

Spiritual growth

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The growth has to be punctuated by the grace of God. This was St. Peter’s emphasis to the Church in diaspora.

3.0 OPERATION PRINCIPLES

3.1 Vision Statement The Youth Department hopes to see a vibrant and well coordinated youth movement extending to

every corner of East Africa and beyond 3.2 Mission

The Youth department exists to:- a)Bring young people in fellowship, discipleship and evangelism. (To equip, uplift and up build

young people) b)Raise and equip emerging young leaders to serve in the Church and society

c) Empower young people physically, economically, socially and politically.

3.3 Motto

Love, Unity and Services 3.4 Core- values

a) Bible and Christ centred service b) Democratic participation and inclusiveness c) Team work and networking

d) Discipline and integrity

4.0 DEPARTMENTAL LEADERSHIP The leadership was being guided by the Secretary/Director and a team of elected officials

Leadership included the following:-

2016/2017 Leadership Chairman - Japhet Mugendi

V/Chairperson Everlyne Kathure

Treasurer Major Collins Kinyuru

Secretary/Director Rev. Simon Githiora Njuguna

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5.0 PHYSICAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

The department continued to maintain two rental houses one at Buruburu and the other one at Suna Estate. The youth department also have a ten acres piece of land at Olentutu, Kitengela, Kajiado County .

This is indeed a great boost to the department net worth. 6.0 SPIRITUAL GROWTH

The youth was evangelized through the parishes and congregations for the better part of the year. There were signs of growth depicted by the many parish youth engagement forums aka Operation Mashinani

Youth Forum. All these were being guided by the words of 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

6.1 Youth Recruitment and Commissioning Youth enrolment is done using the two tie strategies of recruitment and commissioning. Recruitment is a

call to belong, call to ownership and membership of the group. Before the recruitment, three important procedures are observed. First, intimations in the congregation after the due process has been followed by

the Parish Session. Secondly, training is conducted through the supervision of the parish minister. Three, the Youth are recruited through taking of vows conducted by the Parish Minister in a public worship service. The ceremony of recruitment is witnessed by among others the parents, and guardians of the youth. Upon

recruitment the candidates are issued with a Youth card (Smart Cards) that has the details of the person, the Youth Vision statement and the Youth Motto.

The Commissioning process will follow the same route. The only departure is the period of mentorship that is determined by each Parish Session. Upon taking of vows the candidates are issued with a Youth Badge.

During the year under review many young people were recruited and commissioned. The details are with the Parishes. This is due to the restructuring process.

6.2 Ecumenical Forums

The department has continued to expose the youth in ecumenical for a which have become very instrumental to the youth growth. This time the youth was represented by a participant from Mt. Kenya

Region. The AACC involved young people in consultations and engagement that are geared towards the next General Assembly. The WCC mounted a youth workshop at Lilongwe in Malawi. Two young people a male and a female from Eastern and Nairobi Regions respectively represented the department and

ultimately the Church. The WCC General Assembly in Germany was a slight disappointment to the youth department because our representative was denied a visa in the 11th hour.

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7.0 ANNUAL YOUTH WEEK The Youth Week was observed between 1st to 7th May, 2017. The programs were distributed to all the

parochial areas with the following highlights of the week.

- Youth and the congregation and studying the theme.

- Youth and community

This was basically engaging the community and sensitizing them on the roll of the youth towards community initiatives.

- Youth to youth engagement The focus is to have the youth engage with one another and participate in common activities e.g role plays, skits, drama, singing, bible quizzes etc.

- Youth Environment Day

This is basically meant to have the youth engage in environmental advocacy work

- Youth mentorship and skills enhancement. This is to appreciate the diverse skills endowed to the youth and how the same can be used in the extension of the Kingdom of God.

Youth Sunday was observed across the Church divide. However due to restructuring process, no funds were remitted to the Central Youth. This can be confirmed from the financial statements. As

such the department struggled in its operations throughout the year under review. 8.0 YOUTH STRATEGIC PLAN

The Strategic Plan is still in force. The youth have the copies of the same. We call upon the Church to

give them the necessary space and support as they continue with the implementation. Some of the key highlights in the Strategic Plan include:-

4.1 Environmental Stewardship

Tree planting, garbage management, pollution, environmental resiliency

4.1.2 Student’s ministry

D7.5 Mentorship, counseling, preaching, peer counseling, rapport, team building , leadership development,

discipleship, life skills.

4.1.3 Youth and Health Life styles, reproductive health, STI’S, stress management, drugs and substance abuse, and any other

health issues. 4.1.4 Capacity building and trainings

Vocational trainings, create awareness of the Church knowledge, job market, knowledge and skills acquisition, leadership empowerment (summit, workshops, engagements)

4.1.5 Entrepreneurship

Creating awareness of self-reliance, tapping individuals potential, investment techniques and skills.

4.1.6 Mission and evangelism The theme is anchored on “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…. And surely I am with you

always, to the very end of age” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Youth spiritual forums, Outreach Missions, Annual Conference, Partnerships/engagements, Youth Week etc.

4.1.7 Compassionate

Practical arm of the department focusing in assisting needy young people.

9.0 CHALLENGES a. Two consequtive years of poor results in KCSE has posed an unseen challenge in the future of many

young people

b. The problem of underemployment and unemployment still poses a great challenge to the youth. c. Challenges of alcohol, drug abuse due to changes of family(s), lifestyle in Kenya.

d. Gambling being the emerging trend of “Get Rich Quick” which poses a great threat to the young

generation 10.0 ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE THE LAST G.A.C.

-Over 25 OTPs benefited from the program

-Two young people participated in the WCC Forum

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-Commissioning of over 25 youth from PCEA Neema Church – Lowell – Boston - USA

11.0 FUTURE PLANS

1.The department aims at rallying the youth to enroll in technical institutions to enhance their skills for the job market.

2.The department is seeking ways of keeping the youth united and interacting for mutual support and encouragement.

3. To maintain and expand local and international partnership for the benefit of the youth. 4. To invent activities that will retain the relevance of the national office

12.0 CONCLUSION We wish to thank the office of the GA, the regions, presbyteries, parishes and congregations for their

support and encouragement during the transition period. It is an undeniable fact that the church has a new structure. However, the needs and the aspirations of the

youth remains. It follows therefore – that concerted efforts by all of us are required to ensure that the youth in PCEA remains active, relevant, exposed and empowered to confront and overcome the ever emerging challenges, and seize the few opportunities available. We pray for God ’s blessings upon the 22nd GA and

commitment to implement the resolutions of this G.A.

Rev. John Mbae Muraga Ag. YOUTH SECRETARY/ DIRECTOR

DOCUMENT 7 RESOLUTIONS

1.This G.A. receives the report of the Central Youth and its audited Report as at 30 th September, 2017 and

thanks the Committee for their diligence. 2. This G.A. observes with appreciation the growth of youth movement in the diaspora through the

commissioning of young people in Neema – Boston – USA. Further this GA urges the department to outreach to other diaspora youth.

3.This G.A. notes with appreciation the ongoing partnership that exists between the youth department, partner churches and other institutions that are advancing the youth agenda. This G.A. therefore instructs the department to continue with the networks and partnerships.

4.This G.A. notes with appreciation and thanks to God whole hearted services rendered to the youth department and the wider Church for eleven years (11) by the outgoing Youth Secretary/ Director

Rev. Simon Githiora Njuguna and wishes him God’s grace and speed in his future ministerial engagements. Further this G.A. applauds the appointment of Rev. John Mbae Muraga

the Ag. Youth Secretary/Director and wishes him God’s blessings and guidance in his ministry. 6. This G.A. notes the need of the youth to have technical skills as a prerequisite for job market and

encouraged the youth to take technical skills enhancement as a key area of their engagement. 7. This G.A. in recognition that the youth are people with energy and needs diverse exposure, encourages

the parishes to facilitate interparish youth partnership and exchange programs.