Emerge 2012 aims to bring youth beyond displaying their talent to using their gifts to transform society.
By Dawn Seow
Emerge 2012: Youth called to do good. CN PHOTO: June Yong.
Calling all youth in City Harvest Church, gear yourselves up because Emerge is back—this time with a social cause!
This beloved and highly-anticipated youth event—targeted at CHC members aged 13 to 25—aims to move beyond the display of talent this year, to inspire and empower youths to make a difference in the lives of others, especially the less fortunate.
Since its inception in 2003, Emerge Youth Conference has provided a platform for many young members in the church to display their God-given talents, and at the same time learn to use their gifts to serve the Kingdom of God. Lives have been transformed these past years as young people caught the vision to be grounded in the Word of God, and to use their talents to serve God in a greater capacity.
Many of them have stepped out of their comfort zone and come out with creative ways to contribute to the society. Some have, at a young age, set up social enterprises that are profitable and also serve the underprivileged. Many of them have answered the call of Jesus in Matthew 25: “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me … inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it to Me.”
The aim of Emerge 2012 is to create this desire and capacity to do good in the next wave of young people, to empower more of them to unleash their potential in service to the community; to inspire them to embrace the CHC lifestyle of loving God wholeheartedly and loving people fervently.
“We want the youth to know that it doesn’t take a big project to make a difference in the lives of others,” says Veronica Tang, an Emerge committee member, explaining the social media element of this year’s Emerge conference. “They can create awareness by doing things like Tweeting about a social cause, or Liking an article or website that discusses a social issue on Facebook.”
The highlight of the youth conference—which takes place from July 27 to 29—are the many exciting competitions categorized into “Spirit”, “Soul” and “Body.” All the competitions will flow with the central theme of “Social Cause.”
Competitions under the category of “Body” will focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle. Participants taking part in the “Soul” competitions will create projects that educate youths on the problems in society and the plight of the less fortunate. They will also be raising funds through their project for City Harvest Community Services Association.
Another segment youths can look forward to are the projects under the category “Salt And Light”, which will teach them to become the salt and light of society, that is, the ones to bring hope and answers to social problems. Young people will gather to create and execute two projects that make a measurable difference to the lives of the less fortunate, which provide real solutions to a real social problem.
Stay tuned for the launch of Emerge 2012 on the weekend of Apr. 21 and 22. Competitions for each category will be announced and registration will start that weekend. Everything culminates at the conference in July. Young people, be prepared to serve the community for the Lord at this year’s Emerge!
