Youth Department (Vijana)

1. Historical Background
   

2. The Youth Department began operation in 1970 as a response to Diocesan recognition of the necessity for youth ministry since youth are the vital core for the continuity of the church. People between the ages of 13-39 are considered youth. There are approximately 65,000 youths in the Diocese. Since 2015, the Youth Department has established the Chilongani Cup with tournaments of football, netball, athletics, etc. This has proved to bring more youth to become real Christians in attending the church, joining choir groups, and VSL (Village Savings and Loan) groups. The Youth Department has four activities: evangelism, games and sports, concert, and seminar each year.
   

1. Vision
   

2. To have youth with God’s power in a church that cares
   

3. Mission
   

4. To have all youth participate effectively in all aspects of life through the word of God, in order to serve God in the church and society and help make them recognise their problems and find ways to solve them in a Christian way.
   

5. Motto
   

6. I write to you young people because you are strong and the word of God lives in you and you have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:14b)
   

7. Structure
   

8. The structure of the Youth Department is in the Youth Constitution. The leadership structure is as follows: each local Diocesan Committee and different committees at each level. The Bishop is the head of the Youth Department.
   

9. Goals
   

10. ✤To educate youth about life issues (i.e., spiritual, physical, & mental)
    

11. ✤To help youth tackle life challenges  (i.e., illiteracy, disease, poverty, early marriage, bride price, genital mutilation)
    

12. ✤To enable youth to be self-reliant by teaching them
    

13. ✤To plan & manage projects
    

14. ✤To have a positive attitude toward work
    

15. ✤To incorporate youth in worship with singing, drama, & poetry
    

16. ✤To instill in youth an understanding of their role to protect & further the church
    

17. ✤To encourage youth to keep their bodies healthy by participating in sports & traditional dancing
    

18. ✤To ensure good Christian education in schools
    

1. Activities
   

2. Bible StudyEvangelism                 
   

3. Singing/ChoirStewardship                
   

4. DebatesMicro-projects
   

5. SeminarsYouth Camp
   

6. Manual WorkTours/Picnics
   

7. SportsPrayer Meetings
   

8. Drama/Poetry/Traditional Dance
   

9. 
   

10. Future Plans
    

11. ✤To have youth become better Christians and citizens through good ethical life in all aspects
    

12. ✤To have youth as workforce for the development of the church, society, and the nation at large, by involving themselves in economic activities.
    

13. ✤To provide good programmes of the word of God which could help youth to realise and utilise their potential, knowledge, and skills in our technological and scientific environment (world).
    

14.