The youth have been a huge concern for the maturing churches in Asia-Pacific as they seek to meet their spiritual needs in a fast-changing world.
When Ed and Jeanne Casteel first moved into the Wana tribe the outside world was basically an unknown world. Kids grew up in the tribe they became farmers just like their parents and the cycle went on. But not anymore. The outside world has come to them – a good majority now have cell phones, Starlink is providing internet service to the most remote of regions, many of the youth are no longer interested in being farmers like their parents but seeking high school and higher education in the city and studying different professions.
The youth are the future of the church thus the challenge lies before the churches to see that their kids get the spiritual preparation they need – first in the villages where they are being raised and then in the city where they are receiving higher education. The churches have invited them to be a part of helping with their youth and with that they have delegated some of the missionary team to focus on the youth. One of the many things they have started is an annual “Youth Easter Camp” which includes youth from three different tribal groups on the island. This year it was held in the Wana tribe and Ed was able to be a part of this. What a blessing for him to see hundreds of youths gather in one place – remembering back 40 years ago when this type of an event was not yet dreamed about. He could only stand in awe and praise the Lord for what HE has done in the hearts and lives of these people. Pray on for the youth in the churches of Asia-Pacific.