“Where are the leaders of tomorrow?” is a question we hear often from church leaders.
We'd like to share a glimpse of an answer to that question. Grant Birks was one of several youth leaders who came along to First Training with a group of young people at Willow Park over the weekend for the third First Training event across Aotearoa, NZ this year.
Grant Birks was there serving as a youth leader with young people from Lifezone Church in Tauranga:
"First Training is all about developing the leaders of tomorrow. One important aspect was solo time, where the young people had an opportunity to spend time alone with God.
"Eden Brown (Lifezone) mentioned that she 'enjoyed the solo time' with God, something that was new for many. Hayden Birks (Lifezone) told me that he 'really liked the messages, especially the one on the responsibilities of Christian leaders.'
"For me, it was encouraging and exciting to see these young men and women of God growing in their leadership understanding and practice, alongside their relationship with God.
"One thing that impresses me is the quality of these young leaders. God is certainly raising up amazing people for his Church of the future, the challenge for us is to allow them to grow into the leadership roles God has for them."
Thank you to all who made First Training possible, especially the team from Willow Park and youth leaders and pastors Alex Pope (Birkenhead Community Church), Marina Shannon (Orewa Community Church), Isaac Claasen (Northcross Church), and Trent Robinson (Te Awamutu Bible Chapel) who presented sessions along with Craig Barrow (CCCNZ Youth and Young Adults).
