New World Outlook - Summer 2017 - Open - 13

New World Outlook

SUMMER 2017

approach and a safe space for Beyond Blanchardstown
people to connect with one another,
teens to be themselves. I have en- Youth group leaders in the Dublin which builds long-lasting friendships.
joyed getting to know the teens, District plan monthly events to bring
Our church also partners with
playing messy games, and answer- youth groups together. We host ac- Foróige, Ireland's most successing questions, such as, "Why am I tivities such as-quiz night, barbeque ful youth organization, offering youth
here?" or "How do I have a rela- night, bowling night, testimony clubs, projects, and services. Under
tionship with God?" God is doing night-and we invite speakers from Foróige, I facilitate two clubs for young
incredible things through our youth the Dublin Central Mission homeless people at the community center, urggroup and I look forward to seeing ministry to talk about how our youth ing them to avoid gangs and providwhat God has in store for them.
ing a safe space for them to socialize
can get involved.
Sunday morning sessions proMy responsibilities as a youth lead- and develop the ability to manage relavide a space where the youth can er also involve taking young people tionships. Other activities I'm involved
engage with faith in a contempo- for national events across the bor- in include the Tyrrelstown Residents
rary and compelling way. In our der into Northern Ireland. In March, Association, which represents and
discussion group,
promotes the interwe look at what the
ests of all the residents,
Bible says about imand the Alpha Course
portant issues, like
at St. Mary's College
the migration crises,
Senior School, a private
xenophobia, gender
Catholic school. The
justice-and we alAlpha Course is a series
ways pray for our
of interactive sessions
personal issues and
that explore the basics
for the world at large.
of the Christian faith. It
I think it is imperative
provides a safe space
to teach young peofor people to ask quesple the importance of
tions and wrestle with
lifting one another in
doubts without being
prayer.
criticized or condemned.
Our Sunday school
My experience as a
at Blanchardstown
Global Mission Fellow
Methodist Church
has grown my heart for
is like a mini United Three members of the older youth group of Blanchardstown Methodist Church
investing in young peoNations because of represent the diversity now present in Ireland.
ple. The conversations
its diversity and the PHOTO: ALBERT WAKILI
I have had with them
thoughtful queshave brought me clostions the kids ask. Some weeks we attended the annual Soul Mates er to God. Please pray for the young
ago, Amber, age nine, half Ugandan Weekend, which is a national event people as they live in and engage
and half Irish, returned from a visit for 9- to 13-year-olds organized by the with a culture that in many ways is
to Uganda-her first to the African Irish Youth and Children's Department hostile toward Christianity.
continent. She couldn't say enough of the Methodist Church. Church
about her experiences, which re- groups from all over the island con- Albert Abbo Wakili is a Global Misminded me of my home in Nigeria. vene in Lurgan as a family that opens sion Fellow from Taraba State, NigeShe was happy that I could relate to the Bible, sings songs, and has ria (Advance #3022105), serving as
some of the things she was describ- fun. Likewise, in October annually, a youth and children's worker with
ing. She then paused and asked me Autumn Soul, a national event for 13- the Blanchardstown Methodist Church,
why we can't all live in peace, and to 18-year-olds, considers God and Dublin, Ireland, one of the newest and
why poverty exists in the world. I discipleship. One thing I love so much most ethnically diverse congregations in
have learned not to underestimate about the Irish Methodist Church is Irish Methodism. You can connect with
the depths of a child's thinking.
the opportunities it provides for young him via Facebook, Albert Wakili.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of New World Outlook - Summer 2017 - Open