S. Africa’s first Purely Committed Event, a summary:
Over 165 youth from the township (an all black community) of Philippi attended the Purely Committed conference. This event was unlike the previous three in a number of ways. We catered to the community, culture and audience which was very different from the audiences from the US. This event focused on men and women who were between the ages of 16-35, which is considered “youth” in S. Africa. Our well planned out agenda was also scratched as we let the event go “African style.” The planned 4 hour event turned into 7 as the attendees flooded the room with questions and discussion. The attendees enjoyed a meal, complete with meat (!), facilitated table discussion, work book instruction, multi media presentations and a variety of speakers including a secondary virgin, a local pastor, and a local pastors wife.
At the end of the event they were invited to make a commitment then or in the future. Those who decided to make the commitment that day were able to symbolize their commitment by writing a commitment letter to their future spouse and sealing it in a box to be shared when married. Sixteen young people made this commitment that day; we were shocked by the overwhelming positive response.
Following the event the youth were invited to meet at a future date to discuss abstinence and be encouraged by the missionary organization “Bridges of Hope.” Those that requested mentors were paired up by Purely Committed with women here in the US to encourage them in their relationship with Christ and the lifestyle of purity. One S. African wrote, “I am so excited to recieved your letters from you and Amy. Well, thank you so much to introduce me there, really I was very shocked but the news inside made me happy… For those first few weeks after the commitment I made, I felt like funny and sometimes it seems as if it’s impossible to live purely life style. But I asked the power of God to guide me. So now I am still experiencing it, like I feel nothing bad. I need more advises from you.”
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