Multiply, the North American MB global mission agency, held a youth event March 22 in partnership with USMB’s Pacific District at Kingwood Bible Church in Salem, Ore. The gathering welcomed youth in junior high, high school, college and young adults from four MB congregations: North Park Community Church, Eugene, Ore.; Kingwood Bible Church; Primera Iglesia Hispana Ebenezer, Portland, Ore., and Ebenezer Ethiopian Church, Portland. A total of 47 young people and 10 volunteers participated.
The event served as a meaningful opportunity for relationship-building, as new friendships formed among participants from different congregations. It was a vibrant cross-cultural experience where three ethnic groups came together to grow in faith, engage in dynamic team-building activities and worship God as one body.
Silvia Lopez, Mission Training Coordinator for Multiply’s Western USA team, says of the “Living on Mission” event:
“The event aimed to inspire and encourage young people to consider what it means to live on mission—whether through everyday discipleship or full-time missionary service. The day’s focus centered on Matthew 28:19-20, breaking down the passage into themes explored through personal testimonies and teachings.”
Bob Davis, Multiply Regional Team Leader for East Asia, opened with the theme, “Go and Make Disciples of All Nations.” He shared his personal journey into missionary service and emphasized the universal calling for all believers to make disciples using the gifts and abilities God has given them.
Elizabeth Box, daughter of USMB National Director, Aaron Box, followed with a talk on baptism, sharing her own testimony and how surrendering to Christ brought a boldness to live out her faith publicly. She encouraged participants to consider the work of the Holy Spirit in empowering them to testify about Jesus and live transformed lives.
Aaron Box concluded with a message titled, “Teaching them to obey the Great Commission.” Through his own experiences, he provided practical examples of how young people can obey Jesus’ command to make disciples in their everyday lives. He challenged participants to evaluate their own faithfulness to this call.
“Several significant outcomes emerged from the event,” Lopez says. “Many young people recognized their shared calling to live missionally, feeling both empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel in their daily interactions. Ministry leaders from participating churches were energized by the unity and diversity among the youth and are now exploring the possibility of hosting a future SOAR weekend to continue fostering spiritual growth and inter-church collaboration.”
As the mission agency of the Mennonite Brethren of North America, Multiply is passionately focused on participating in God’s mission by helping disciples multiply, sending out missionaries and partnering with nationals.
