SICA AND SIFGA HOLDS FIRST ECUMENICAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

CLOSE to three thousand youth members under the Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) Churches and Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association (SIFGA) Churches packed the Anglican Provincial Cathedral of Saint Barnabas for the first ever Ecumenical Youth Fellowship on Sunday.

It was truly a day to remember for a lot of these young people as they came together to worship and share messages through songs and listen to the inspiring and encouraging words from the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) the Most Rev Leonard Dawea and Reverend Alfred Akwai also from the (ACOM), the host church for this first ecumenical gathering.

“Indeed, it is wonderful to see youths of Honiara and nearby parishes in Guadalcanal coming together in this Spirit, the Spirit of oneness, the Spirit of ecumenism and the Spirit of peace” the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia said as he welcomed youth leaders and members from sister churches.

Archbishop Leonard

‘It is a spirit filled fellowship, a fellowship indicating new dawn that will bring positive changes in our nation Solomon Islands,’ Archbishop Leonard added.

‘YOUTHS FOR CHANGE IN SOLOMON ISLANDS AS CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS” (slogan: “Christ Ambassadors”)’ is the theme for the fellowship which was preceded by a clean-up from White River to King George area on Saturday morning.

Under the theme, the youth leaders who organized the gathering said,’ for youths to make a difference in this nation, we need to allow JESUS CHRIST to change us from the inside out – to become His ambassadors – His representatives on earth – before we can become instruments of change in this nation.  You cannot give to others what you yourself don’t have’.

Youth members at the ecumenical service on Sunday afternoon

Referring to the theme; Archbishop Leonard urged the youths and their leaders to uphold the virtues of Christ Ambassador and walk hand in hand in unity in order to achieve the mission of ecumenism by promoting the gospel for a common purpose.

Members of United Church holding the banner as the next host of this Ecumenical Youth Fellowship

“Such coming together of young people in fellowship despite our denominational differences is a right way to bring about effective and efficient mission in all our families, ministry groups, schools and our churches. This ecumenical fellowship calls for understanding and unity among us as leaders of our denominations to come together and design common ecumenical mission for our youths,” he concluded.

Youths during praise and worship

‘Be proud of yourself because you are the Ambassadors of Christ here on earth,’ Rev. Alfred Akwai said in his very encouraging sharing.

Rev Alfred Akwai

General Secretary of SICA, Rev. Dr. Edward Kolohai and Mr. Fox Henry Qwaina from the Honiara City Council and other elders came to witness this beautiful ecumenical youth fellowship.

United Church of Solomon Islands is the next host for this ecumenical gathering.

—ACOM PRESS

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