THOUSANDS of young Salvationists and friends around the world united in prayer, showed the love of God to their communities and took the lead at their corps (churches) during the 'Mobilise: Go Children and Youth!' weekend, part of The Whole World Mobilising initiative. The weekend – Friday 24 to Sunday 26 March – coincided with The Salvation Army's annual International Day of Prayer for Children, and was preceded on Thursday with a virtual worldwide prayer meeting which included a prayer from General André Cox that, 'over this landmark weekend for children and young people, ... The Salvation Army will sit up, take notice and listen to what they have to say; and, most importantly, that the world will see Christ in their actions.'
Young people were invited to pray in their own language, share Bible verses or post artwork that reflected how God was speaking to them through a live, interactive blog which was home to the virtual prayer meeting and then updated throughout the weekend. Hosted by David Giles (Web Manager, IHQ Communications) and featuring input from members of the Whole World Mobilising team, the blog was a hub of activity, running 24 hours a day throughout the entire weekend. It provided real-time commentary, live feeds and news of mission and outreach activities as young people linked with The Salvation Army shared the gospel and served their communities.
Viewers participated in live feeds from Kenya, Canada, the Republic of Georgia and Reykjavík, Iceland, where international leaders General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox (World President of Women's Ministries) were visiting.
‘It was great to be part of the activities in Iceland where children and young people took on significant roles,’ says the General. ‘But reading and engaging with some of the activities happening in different parts of Army world, from all quarters of the globe, was equally inspiring.’
Using the hashtag #GoMoCY, Salvationists added hundreds of photos and videos to social media, many of which have been gathered together – along with other direct input – on an innovative social wall that is being updated throughout the entire Mobilising initiative.
Activities included: distributing food to people in need; sharing the gospel with people on the street; cleaning up neighbourhoods; open-air ministry; youth-led worship; prayer walks and hosting community events. Whether they were having painting parties or making new friends at a football tournament, young people reached out in many new and creative ways.
A video showing a selection of highlights, compiled on Sunday evening by David Giles, is available to watch and share at sar.my/gomocyvid.
‘My message to everyone is to keep things going!’ says the General. ‘Let’s continue to involve our children and youth in all we do. They are great examples of the love of God at work.’
Children's and young people's mobilising activities can continue to be shared on social media using #GoMoCY. Consideration is also being given to making the GoMoCY weekend an annual event, so children, young people and leaders are asked to email their experiences and testimonies to mobilising@salvationarmy.org. Personal stories, testimonies and reports may be posted on The Whole World Mobilising blog (available on the mobilising.salvationarmy.org website and The Whole World Mobilising app) to encourage others to go forward.
Based on a report by Ester Ellen Nelson
Project Manager, The Whole World Mobilising
International Headquarters
