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By Mercy Zou Taithul

The ELCA Multicultural Youth Leadership Events (MYLE) and Young Adult Gathering (YAG) was held in New Orleans July 13-19. Although I’d never attended this event before, I was glad that I could represent the Minneapolis Area Synod’s Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices (FPNP), as well as participate in the MYLE Worship Band.

During my FPNP workshop, participants focused on finding assets such as gifts and strengths within ourselves, our community, and our neighborhoods. Well, I can confidently say that singing is one of my gifts and being able to share that gift with the youth and adults at the MYLE was one of my highlights. Not only did I get to share my gift of singing, but I also had the opportunity to find out more gifts as well as learn about different cultures and make new connections.

“The practice of asset mapping helps to identify gifts, passions, and assets within our community.”

Here are some of my highlights:

First, I led an hour-long workshop at the MYLE focusing on one of the practices from Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices – Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). This practice helps to identify gifts, passions, and assets within our community. Almost 50 people attended.

The sharing of giftedness by the participants was incredible. The vast array of gifts shared in that hour made me wonder how many more gifts are out there in our neighborhoods undiscovered. (I invite you to take time to consider why so many gifts go unrecognized and how we can do a better job of helping people identify them).

A couple quotes I like from the workshop are “Focus on what is strong, not what is wrong,” and “Focus on people and not programs.” So, if we pay more attention to what is strong and get curious about others in our community and neighborhood, we might be surprised at the stories you hear.

 

SECONDLY, THE LAST worship night at MYLE felt like a revival. All the worship services during the week were beautiful and fun. But that specific last night: Oh what a powerful experience!

I can still feel the goose bumps, emotions, and joy I felt as we sang the song “You know my name” with youth joining the worship leaders on the stage; hands were lifted high and we acknowledged that God knows each of us by name.

Throughout the MYLE, I heard from a few youth for whom it was their first time standing on the stage to lead worship with the band. They said “This is fun” and “I would like to sing more.” I responded, “Well, you know what you can do, join the praise and worship team in your congregation when you return back home.” So, I encourage those of you who are church leaders to invite and create the space for youth to join the worship group.

“The last worship night at MYLE felt like a revival.”

Lastly, I had heard that there would be thousands of youths and leaders attending the Young Adult Gathering, but I couldn’t believe my eyes. The Smoothie King Stadium in New Orleans was filled with 16,000 young adults. When I looked around, I saw a room full of bright, intelligent and gifted future leaders.

The theme “Created to Be” was very powerful and an encouragement to reflect and remind ourselves who we are and Whose we are. A lot of speakers mentioned as well that we are created to be Brave, Authentic, Disciples, and Free.

Overall, it was a first great gathering. I learned new things, had a great experience, and learned something new about myself – that I am braver than I think about myself in terms of my leadership. I would like to end by reminding that God created each and every one of us uniquely, blessed us with different gifts/talents. Of all, you know what the most beautiful part is that we are created in God’s own image, therefore we are one.