Heading back down the mountain after the Global Conference

AdvanceNews

For many the Global Conference was a high point of the year. It was a refreshing time of fellowship with friends and an opportunity to re-calibrate hearts amidst busy ministry calendars.

‘Coming down the mountain’ is often done with some hesitation after a rich time together and yet it remains the only way we can take the good things we have been given home, to see the Kingdom spread in our communities. We reached out to a couple of the younger people in the room to hear about their experience of Global and what they are holding high for this next season of ministry.

We chatted to Lyndsay Kennedy (Glasgow), Brandon Bester (Cape Town) and Asher Frow (Brea, California).

What has your experience of Global done for your sense of call or perspective?

Lyndsay

Alan Frow’s talk, Asking like Achsah, really struck home. Alan talked about Achsah and her new husband being given land in the desert as a wedding gift from her father. She was not afraid to approach him humbly to ask for more – for springs of water; vital for life.

I was reminded that Glasgow is the land Our Father has given us! We have such an amazingly gifted and enthusiastic core team, whom we are incredibly thankful for, and there is such a rich history of prayer and faithful service in this land. Yet – it feels hard and dry and unfruitful at times. Thank you Lord for all your gifts but now I pray for more! Streams of living water to thrive, to farm this land, to be fruitful. For God’s Glory and Glasgow’s Good!

Brandon

It has inspired me to think a lot about what God has called me to. There is something so special about being in a room full of people from around the world on the same mission! God really does stir your heart and encourage you through that. I feel like God has planted a few seeds in my heart for the future!

Asher

Global has helped me understand God’s call on my life. The Advance family has consistently called out the gifts they’ve seen in me and encouraged me to steward them faithfully. Seeing the ground the Gospel is taking around the world first hand at Global has been a major encouragement of my call to the nations. 

How has the theme ‘Generation to Generation’ shaped your own sense of responsibility to raise up leaders?

Lyndsay

I have felt convicted that I personally need to become more intentional in spending time, in particular, with younger women in our church. In our busy lives, this does not ‘happen organically’, however much we wish this were the case!

I felt able to dust off my bow and start to exercise the muscles God has given me to do my bit by His Spirit to prepare this next generation of arrows. I have been praying for specific people I can invest in and how I can do this. I am going to be meeting with three young ladies on a monthly basis. And while my own insecurities do get in the way (who am I that I could help?!) I understand that this is how the enemy immobilizes us!

Brandon

It gave me a fresh energy and passion to raise up young Godly leaders. Even though I’m still young I feel the responsibility and I see the value of raising up leaders! It is vital for us to be constantly looking for the next leader(s) in our context. For me it is a sign of health when we are able to raise and trust young leaders. It would be a mistake for us to miss what God is doing in young people.

Asher

The Generation to Generation theme really opened my eyes to the amazing mentorship and insight the older generations have shown to me while being a part of Advance. Young adults are quick to disqualify their elder’s advice due to the age gap but Advance has really bridged that gap for me. The movement is filled with elders who have a heart for the younger generation and are willing to invest in future leaders which has encouraged me to do the same for the younger generations to come.

An awesome moment during Global, with 50 years spanning these men who each served as the person to the left’s youth pastor

Anything else you would like to share coming out of Global?

Lyndsay

What an encouragement to hear stories of God’s Grace and favour all around the world. We feel so privileged to be part of a network of churches where we genuinely partner together in the gospel, pray for each other and have fun together.

Brandon

After being at the conference, as a person that fits the ‘young’ category, I feel so inspired by what God is doing in our “older” leaders. I feel encouraged as a young person to step up and lead. I feel backed by my leaders to lead as a young person. I’m thankful to God for the leaders in my life that have risked with me and other young leaders in our context. I’m so excited to see what God is doing and going to do in my generation! 

Asher

Global has become a family to me, I love this organization and all the people in it. The fact that the leaders of Advance provide space for young adults like myself to be a part of all of this means the world to me. I’m so excited for these upcoming years.