On Saturday, 9 May 2026, Witness Ministry`s Congregational Witness joined a very important CYM Workshop at URC Zwelethemba in Worcester. CYM youth leaders of five URCSA Congregations, Kayamandi, Langa, Langeberg, Mbekweni, and Zwelethemba, convened to converse, reflect, and discern how to restore a spiritual passion for Christ Jesus and his church, amongst the youth within their congregations and communities.
Revs Stephen Pedro and Ronald Noemdoe joined Rev. & Mrs Thaane, Rev. Fingo, Dr Mahokotho, and other church council leaders, to facilitate a session during the workshop. They were invited to facilitate a Contextual Bible Reading (CBR) to start the conversation about this very relevant and contextual challenge. Together the group of almost 80 youth leaders read Luke 24, the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after which they engaged with questions like what we can learn from what Jesus did at the backdrop of a sense of hopelessness. Being on a road to somewhere, they had only many unanswered questions, but no direction, whilst experiencing feelings of disappointment and disgruntlement regarding the unfolding of past events.
The group then reflected on three actions in the story that will help the conversation of the CYM about restoring passion among the youth and will make the disgruntled and uninvolved youth becoming involved and excited about the church and church activities again. The group looked at how Jesus joined the conversation of what is happening, how He didn`t come up with worked-out answers, asked questions and listened before teaching the law and what the prophets had said. The group also reflected upon the role and importance of scripture in the conversation, and how the events unfolded in the story. Furthermore, they also reflected how table communion and eating together around the table is a powerful tool to build trust and relationships, especially when seeking direction, to restore passion and communion, as well as to mentor and impact the youth in the church and within our communities.
