NAZARENE YOUTH INTERNATIONAL

Africa Nazarene Youth International (NYI) serves as the vibrant and dynamic youth ministry arm of the Church of the Nazarene across the Africa Region. We are committed to discipling and empowering over 100,000 young individuals, aged 12 to 35, by fostering deep, holistic, and active relationships with Christ.

Our mission is rooted in the belief that when young people connect with God, themselves, and others, they embark on a journey of lifelong transformation. This connection equips them to become compassionate and impactful leaders who can drive positive change and bring healing, peace, and restoration to their communities and beyond.

Vision

Our vision for youth ministry in Africa is to see a vibrant presence of young individuals growing into authentic, lifelong, and transformed relationships with Jesus Christ, leading to disciples dedicated to Christian service that is both meaningful and impactful in bringing peace, healing, and restoration across every nation in Africa.

Mission

Our mission is to call and connect young people to God, self and others and make Christlike disciples in the nations of Africa.

Through holistic ministry, mentoring, and partnerships, we strive to cultivate interdependence and self-sustainability within Africa Nazarene Youth International (ANYI), empowering young people to be agents of change in their communities.

NYI Impact Areas

Africa Nazarene Youth International (ANYI) is dedicated to nurturing and developing young people who can lead and live with their whole being—body, soul, and mind.

1 Thessalonians 5:23, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We believe that a holistic approach prepares youth for a fulfilling and impactful life.

An African proverb encapsulates this: “It takes a village to raise a child.” This proverb highlights the importance of community in shaping and guiding young individuals, ensuring they grow to their fullest potential.

Youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also vital leaders of the church today. They need mentors who can provide a supportive and guiding presence, a “shoulder to lean on” as they navigate their journey of faith. Mentoring empowers young people to grow in their relationship with God and actively live out their faith. Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” underscoring the transformative power of mentorship within the community.

An African proverb aptly reflects the essence of mentorship: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

By working together, young people are better prepared to create and contribute to meaningful and transformative change and make a lasting impact within their communities and beyond. Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour,” highlighting the strength and effectiveness of the collective effort.

An African proverb emphasises the significance of partnership: “Two ants do not fail to pull one grasshopper.” This proverb illustrates that working together makes seemingly difficult tasks achievable. This wisdom underscores the importance of collaboration and unity, ensuring that young leaders can sustain their efforts and achieve enduring success. Through partnership, youth ministries can broaden their reach, share resources, and inspire a generation to work together for a common purpose.

One of the markers of a successful community is when it realises its potential to care for itself. Africa NYI envisions a future brimming with self-sustaining youth ministries and communities. Local ownership is key for leadership development, equipping youth to take the initiative, responsibility, and ownership of their growth and the development of those around them. As it is written in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We are reminded of the African proverb, “Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested,” and “He who learns, teaches. “ This highlights the necessity of nurturing and developing one’s abilities and resources for future benefit.

Contact info

Email: nyi@africanazarene.org , nyiadmin@africanazarene.org , nyicomms@africanazarene.og

Events

Third Wave

Third Wave is a global leadership conference designed to gather and develop emerging leaders within the Nazarene Youth International (NYI) community. This event is a part of the church’s leadership development strategy, focusing on equipping young people to lead in both the church and the world.

Youth Worker Conference 2024

Welcome to the Youth Worker Conference, a premier event tailored specifically for youth workers within the Church of the Nazarene across Africa. This quadrennial conference is dedicated to bringing together youth workers from local and regional levels to network, collaborate, and learn from one another.

During the conference, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, explore discipleship strategies, and deepen their understanding of Nazarene identity. By equipping youth workers with these essential tools, we aim to bolster their effectiveness and foster the growth and development of vibrant youth ministries across the continent.

Join us for this unparalleled leadership event, designed to inspire, energise, and connect youth workers who are committed to creating positive change within their communities and beyond.

NYC 2016

The Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) is a quadrennial in-person gathering designed for young individuals across Africa, aged 18 to 35 years. This event offers a remarkable opportunity to unite, equip, and empower the youth within the Nazarene community. Held in a dynamic and inclusive environment, NYC focuses on celebration, connection and vision casting.

Through worship, workshops, and fellowship, games, concerts, serve day NYC encourages participants to deepen their relationship with God, discover their own purpose, and engage with others to form a cohesive community that transcends geographical boundaries.

Join us as we celebrate, connect, and cast the vision for tomorrow together. This is more than just an event; it’s the glue that binds us as we reflect on where we’ve been and look forward to where we’re going. Experience the camaraderie, joy, and spiritual renewal that define the NYC spirit.

EMERGENT AFRICA

Emergent Africa is a visionary online event crafted to empower and connect youth leaders, young emerging leaders within the Church of the Nazarene across the African continent. Driven by our unwavering commitment to discipleship, leadership development, and education, this event seeks to inspire transformational change in youth ministry.

Join us for a groundbreaking virtual gathering that will serve as a dynamic platform for emerging African leaders to collaborate, learn, and grow. Emergent Africa is designed to equip the next generation with the tools necessary to make impactful contributions to their communities and beyond. Our forum emphasises the power of collective growth and empowerment, enabling young leaders to harness their potential and drive significant change across youth ministry landscapes.

Objectives of Emergent Africa

• Inspire Leadership Development: Empower young leaders to embrace leadership roles imbued with faith and purpose, fostering growth and resilience.

• Enhance Connectivity: Cultivate deep connections among Nazarene leaders across Africa, creating a robust network for ongoing collaboration and support.

• Cultivate Skills: Offer practical tools and resources to develop essential leadership skills tailored to the cultural and strategic needs of African youth ministry.

• Promote Discipleship: Highlight the critical role of discipleship in leadership, encouraging a culture of mentorship and mutual growth.

• Advance Education: Spotlight opportunities for continuous learning and education within the Church of the Nazarene and beyond, promoting lifelong personal and professional development.

Who Should Attend

Emergent Africa invites district and local NYI leaders, FSCs, FYCs, RSCs (UM/NCM/RFC/NDI/NECD), and representatives from the Global NYI Office to partake in this pivotal event. Together, we will forge a bold path forward, building a future filled with shared success and impactful change.

MINISTRIES

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY

Africa Nazarene Youth Worker Academy

The Youth Worker Academy is a two-year in-depth leadership training programme launched in July 2024, designed to equip youth workers of Nazarene Youth International Africa Region with essential skills and knowledge for effective youth ministry. The programme combines in-person training sessions with online Zoom sessions, offering a hybrid format to cater to the needs of participants.

By participating in these initiatives, youth workers can gain the tools and support they need to positively impact young people’s lives.

To apply for the academy (www.anu.ac.ke)

RESOURCES

Sunday School Books: https://africanazarene.org/resources/sunday-school-books/

Journey of Grace: https://nazarene.org/NYIJourney/Resources

NYI Mentoring:  https://media.nazarene.org/link/4bbjnunus3un-1mszda/@/

BEDOGO resources: https://nazarene.org/who-we-are/organization/ministries/nazarene-youth-international/about-nyi/nyi-resources

BRANDING

Whether you’re planning a local event or creating digital content to inspire and engage, these resources are here to help you represent NYI with excellence. Let’s work together to amplify the message of Christ and connect youth across Africa!

Here, you’ll find a collection of tools to help you create impactful content for your events, videos, and promotional materials.