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BY SARAH HIDEY

Imagine a room full of 100 youth and young adults speaking languages from around the world: English, German, Swahili, French, Portuguese. Imagine those young people from the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa all gathered together as one body of Christ.

People had traveled for days in December to arrive at the Global Young People?s Convocation and Legislative Assembly of The United Methodist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa.

I was one of the delegates for the Northeastern Jurisdiction (NEJ) of the United Methodist Church in the United States. The Baltimore-Washington Conference had significant representation in the NEJ group: The Rev. Melissa Rudolph of Leetown, W.Va., and Malcolm Davis were also delegates.

My desire to be part of this gathering sprang from my passion for Africa and my work in the international development field, currently with World Relief. In each country where I have worked - India and Zambia - I have always met inspirational young adults who are truly making a difference in their communities. I?ve always wanted other young people to experience the same resilience and faith that they have.

Dozens of students from Africa University in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, attended the conference, and it was a privilege to hear about their studies in peace, good governance and ministry. More than any other time, I truly saw the future leaders of Africa. It is my sincere hope that all the conference delegates had the opportunity to engage with these brothers and sisters in Christ.

One of the highlights was the worship, led by the Africa University Choir. It was amazing to praise God with them in Zulu, Swahili and Shona. It was a great reminder that we truly worship a global God - not an American or 'western' God - but one who lives just as much in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout Africa as in Baltimore.

God is building up and strengthening young leaders in The United Methodist Church all over the globe. It is obvious that they are not only the future of our world and the church, but the present as well.

Although the conference included representatives from African and Asian countries, I was disappointed that it was still largely western dominated. Central Conference participants were not proportionately represented in the voting process, which raises a concern that the legislation passed was not truly global. Rather, I believe the legislation was largely representative of the interests of American and European young people.

It is my prayer that the next Global Legislative Assembly will address the lack of voting delegates from Central conferences so that the voting really is global.

At the end of the convocation, Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of the Zimbabwe Area, gave an inspiring message, asking conference participants to reflect on why they came to South Africa. I came because I

wanted to see young people united in their commitment to make disciples and spread the love and justice of Christ in the world. I believe many young adults and youth were encouraged in this way.

After the Global Convocation was over, I had the opportunity to travel to Mutare, Zimbabwe, on behalf of Bel Air UMC. Pastor Lloyd Nyarota, mission project coordinator for the Zimbabwe Area, showed me many projects that the Baltimore-Washington Conference has funded throughout the years. Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with the Munyarari community leaders to discuss the construction of the medical clinic that Bel Air UMC and the conference are funding together.

It was such a blessing and joy to see how God is at work thousands of miles across the ocean. It was an honor to represent the jurisdiction, the conference and Bel Air UMC in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Sarah Hidey is a member of Bel Air UMC. She works for World Relief, the international development agency that has taken her to Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo.