Story number 3 for 10 Jan 2003

(Panama)–Nearly one thousand teens and young adults from Latin America are hearing God’s call to mission service at the region’s first Urbana-style conference in Panama. Latin America Mission’s Ken MacHarg filed this report from Latina 2003. “Using the theme, “It’s time to respond”, participants are seeking further training and a confirmation of their call to service. Speakers have challenged the young people to put aside shallow, misleading caricatures of Jesus to search for the true Christ and His call. Workshops are offered in training and children’s ministry, university evangelism, camping, theological education, pastoral ministries in other mission areas. Challenging the young people concerning their call and vocation, one speaker said, ‘Often our work is used to pay for our sins. We need to use it to build the kingdom of God.’ For Mission Network News, I’m Ken MacHarg in Panama.”