R Numbers. A phrase heard thousands of times over 2020 and 2021. Yet, a phrase that was right at the heart of this year’s St Mungo’s S4-S6 Youth Weekend Away. Unlike during the Pandemic, this had nothing to do with the Coronavirus. Instead, this R Number is all to do with the reproduction rate of the virus of faith. And this was the challenge set to the S4-S6’s as the weekend finished. The Greatest Commission we could ever receive was to go and make disciples… is this a generation that are ready to take on this commission and live it out in all areas of their lives, looking to see the reproduction rate of faith grow amongst everyone they meet? The response - 95% of the young people in the room standing and accepting this major commission in their lives!
This moment came at the end of our final meeting session where we explored together four stages of the disciples journey in following Jesus with all in attendance being encouraged to try and identify where they are personally on this journey. At the first session Tod Chapin explored the first step which is becoming a follower of Jesus. Ollie Clegg then took us one step further exploring Jesus’ call to be a disciple of Him. Tara Devlin then looked at the next step on the disciples journey which was to be leaders and influencers out in the world as Jesus’ representatives, a preview of what was to come for them after Jesus’ sacrifice. And then, almost voiceless, Jonny Slatter looked at the final words that are recorded in Matthew’s gospel, the great commission where Jesus calls the disciples to go even further and be disciple makers for Him.
Through these talks, we saw young people come to follow Jesus for the first time, a number recommit themselves as being disciples for Jesus, many young people take tealights to burn at home to remind them they are called to let their light shine for Jesus and then the aforementioned moment of young people committing to live out the great commission in their lives.
In addition we had lots of great seminars on the Saturday afternoon looking at topics that are relevant for the culture young people are living in including social media, cancel culture and mental health. There were fantastic times of worship led by eight of our young worship leaders, some for the first time! Plus great food, fun over sports days, drama challenges and scavenger hunts, and lots AND LOTS of water fights!
It was a fantastic weekend with a superb volunteer team who pour out so much into the lives of a truly fantastic group of young people, a group who are real example setters in how they live out lives of faith. It’s a privilege to be involved in this group and be on this faith journey with this fantastic group of young people. Our thanks go to all who poured out their time into making this all happen for our S4-S6’s and attention now turns to our S1-S3 Weekend Away in May! But before then, here’s some reflections from Seona, Suzi, Finn and Linda.
1) The best thing about the Weekend Away was…
Seona: Either the worship or being around the leaders and youth
Finn: The encounters with God
Linda: Mark’s morning porridge was a life saver after very little sleep
Suzi: The worship
2) The thing I will most remember from a meeting was…
Finn: That God made us to shine so we shouldn’t hide or avoid showing faith
Suzi: Jonny’s talk Sunday morning about being a disciple and leading others to discipleship
Seona: The practical things Lindsay suggested when you feel like your thoughts are a train you can’t get off of.
Linda: The depth, quality and maturity of the worship - all Youth led. Beautiful!
3) Anything else you’d love to highlight…
Linda: The camaraderie in the girls dorms at bedtime with them instigating “Jonny’s Korean prayer” model. Glorious chaos!
Seona: Sports Day was brilliant… especially when Dave got Cameron back.
Finn: The games and water fights were amazing 🙂