The Four12 Global Youth Leaders Equip took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 17 – 18 June 2022. It was an impactful time of equipping and encouraging youth leaders from across the nations to keep building their lives on the Rock of Jesus. Here are a few personal testimonies of what God did in our youth leaders during this time.
HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE
“I found the whole time super impactful. To be back with all the Youth Leaders for another Equip is always very encouraging.
Although we know God loves us, I sometimes struggle to receive the Father’s love. On the Friday night, the Lord showed me how much He loves and cares for me. For about 20 minutes, the Holy Spirit washed over me in waves, and I was just sitting in His presence and receiving His love. That really broke something over me – not doing anything out of my own strength, but just standing there and receiving God’s love. It was such a fresh reminder that God loves me not for what I’ve done, but just because I am His.”
– Kellan Harrison, Oxygen Life Church, Walmer PM
THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF BUILDING WITH OTHERS
“We were incredibly blessed to be a part of this year’s Youth Leaders Equip. The messages were impactful, encouraging, and so relevant to the challenges we are facing as Youth Leaders and Overseers. The Co-ordinators time together is always a highlight for us as we get to build closer with other leaders from across Four12, reconnecting from the previous year, sharing the intimate details of what is happening in the youth across the nations and by the end of this time, seeing how we are all facing the same challenges. This year, in particular, we could see how the Lord has challenged us all to go deeper and build more intimately with our youth.
I sat back and wondered if the youth represented by each leader there knew how much their leaders love them, how deep their hearts are aching for them, how many hours they are on their knees praying for them and how earnestly they are seeking the Lord’s face for them each week. What a privilege to walk alongside our youth during the times we are living in!”
– Darryn & Alicia Paul, The Lighthouse Church, Hoedspruit
CHALLENGED AND CHANGED
“A group of us watched the Youth Equip online from Benoni, and all walked away stronger in the Lord because of it. It was a great time to get to know one another (including the Montana and Centurion youth leaders), worship our Father together, and grow together in the Word.
Personally, I felt really restored and assured in the fact that the Lord has plans for me. I learnt what it means to embrace my season of singleness in a godly way – that it is a time to be treasured, to fully commit myself and be still in the Lord’s plans. I learnt the value of being vulnerable with your team and that willingness to share helps build trust and a bond amongst one another. Lastly, I learnt about what God wants for, and of, us and the youthies and how to approach the sometimes hard-to-navigate topics with them. I’m so grateful for these precious times of hearing the Lord.”
– Shannon van Harn, City on a Hill Church, Benoni
WALKING IN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
“I found the Four12 Youth Leaders Equip very good! It was just filled with the presence of God and was led well by the leaders as they followed the Holy Spirit.
God showed me the importance of living in purity and also equipped me in how to be in a relationship that is honouring to Him.
On the Friday evening, during worship, I experienced the Lord in a whole new way and felt him break strongholds that I had in my life. I was just in awe of the Spirit and the power of God!”
– Siphesihle Dyakala, Oxygen Life Church, Walmer PM
KEEPING IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT
“The Equip was an incredible time of fellowship with God and other youth leaders. What a privilege it was to sit under the teaching of men and women who love God and have walked this road longer than most of us.
I was reminded again of how much we need the Holy Spirit in all aspects of our lives. I desperately need the Holy Spirit if I want to be able to lead myself and others well. This is my main ‘takeaway’ from all the sessions: leading ourselves well, leading others, walking in purity and evangelising … we can’t do any of it in our own strength; we need to keep in step with the Spirit, walk in accountability and trust God in the process.”
– Alta Shepherd, Joshua Generation Church, Melkbosstrand
The recorded sessions from the 2022 Four12 Youth Leaders Equip are available for everyone to view on the Four12 website as well as the Four12 App and YouTube channel. You can also access past Youth Equips and other recommended resources on our Youth Page.
