A ministry of the Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board
Daily Coverage

Friday, July 19, 2002
Page 2

GLOBAL GIFTS

Speaker Jimmy Diaz of Puerto Rico lifts his hands in praise during Friday evening's worship service.

Individuals from around the world have been present at NYC to participate in and lead worship services, workshops, and late-evening activities.

The Dominican Republic worship team, a group of 10 youth representing the three regions of the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic, led singing during Wednesday morning worship and the Thursday evening service. The offering taken during their Thursday evening performance will go to help support a youth conference in the Dominican Republic.

Using instruments from the Dominican Republic and singing in Spanish, the 10 youth offered lively worship music during the services and also at a late-evening activity on Wednesday. With the help of former Dominican mission co-coordinator Becky Baile Crouse, the team also led a workshop on Thursday, teaching youth how to play instruments like drums, guiras, and tambourines.

Youth from Puerto Rico are also present this week. They conducted a worship service in Spanish on Thursday for a late-night activity. Using a wide variety of musical styles from Puerto Rico, the youth not only offered slow, reflective music, but also more upbeat tempos. Like the Dominicans, the youth used instruments native to Puerto Rico, including guitars, conga drums, bongo drums, and tambourines.

For Friday evening's service, Jimmy Diaz, pastor at the Castañer Church of the Brethren in Puerto Rico, presented the message in Spanish. Diaz is a General Board member and a member of the Cross-Cultural Ministries Team. Through the interpretation of Nadine Monn, Latin America/Carribean specialist, Diaz spoke on "While Seeking Empowerment, We Find Courage."

"Young people you cannot buy courage or receive it in an e-mail, but when you seek the power of God, you will receive courage," Diaz said.

There are also two other international visitors present this week: Lester Torres from Nicaragua and Mbode Ndirmbita from Nigeria. Both brought greetings in NYC worship services.