Young People in Europe Loving the Bible
Josiah Venture Stories - A podcast by Gwynne Gardner - Tuesdays
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Part 1 of Fall Conference interviews! Please enjoy getting to know these guests: Valere from Montenegro/France, interviewed by Gwynne Tom from the Czech Republic, interviewed by Gwynne Adka from Slovakia, interviewed by Gwynne Kate from the USA, interviewed by Tadej from Slovenia Amazing things happen when 400+ youth leaders from 21 countries come together to dive into God's Word! The Josiah Venture annual Fall Conference, which took place at the end of September, is always a highlight of the year. The theme for our 2024 Fall Conference was "Word Formed," and we focused on the significance of scripture. What do you feel when you read God's Word? A recent study of Gen Z youth in Germany found that while over 70% of responders felt loved when they read the Bible, 50% also said they felt guilty; that is a huge contrast! Our hope for this conference was to look at scripture in a new light and use that new reality to be "Word Formed." We hope that as young people come to love the Word more completely, their attitude towards scripture shifts from seeing it as an obligation to embracing it as a source of light and life. This change in perspective encourages consistent and thoughtful engagement with the living Word, allowing them to see their world and choices differently. While at the conference, I set up the podcast equipment in a vintage trailer parked inside a hang-out area where people mingled, ate dessert, and engaged in conversation. With the help of my friends Tadej from Slovenia and Kate from the US, we interviewed various attendees to hear their thoughts about the conference, being Word-Formed, what their daily time in the Bible looks like, and more.