The Program: The 3rd All India Youth festival was held at the Retreat house, Landsend, Bandra, Mumbai from May 17-19 (3 days). Daily program began with a time of worship after the breakfast at 7.30am. Daily two youth were made leaders each for the morning and afternoon sessions to oversee the program. They lead in worship, help to maintain time, etc.Teaching sessions were from 9am to 12.30 noon, with group discussions in the afternon and sharing testimonies after tea at 4pm. Evening, after diner, at 8.30pm, there was a videofilmshow oneday and presentaiton of talents and cultural items the next day.
Lectures started with repentance and discipleship and then on how to be a winner in life, based on Joseph and David's lives. On the last day, I shared about how to relate to others based on the goldern rule in Matthew 7:12 and then finally, challenged the youth to share in the renewed vision to rebuild the reuined altars based on Elijah's story at Mt.Carmel.
There was a testimony writing workshop on the first day and a questinnaire on communication on the final day.
Evenings after 5pm were spent as free-time to go out to the beach and shopping centre in the city, to refresh themselves.
All my ten books, including my story book, and disciplemaking manual were given at a special discount on the final day. Rooms were provided for all the participants to stay back for the night after the program ended on 19th.

The Participants: After much prayer and publicity (in 3 leading Christian magazines), and through many emails and printed brochures, we got some registrations from some states in India. Though we planned to take upto 50, only about 25 were chosen based on their educational qualifications, age and personal testimony of salvation. Out of these, 16 confirmed and 13 arrived-4 women and 9 men. They came from 7 different places in 3 states in India-A.P., Orissa and Karnataka. Most of them were students, including doctors, techs, graduates of science and commerce, missionary trainer, social worker and motivational speaker. They all shared wonderful experiences of learning new and useful truths for their day to day life. Some of their comments are >>

To God be all the glory for all the great things He has done.
If Lord willig, we plan to hold such youth festivals in various cities in India, to impact the next generation and prepare them as effective witnesses. The participants expressed the interest to have at their own places too.
See the photos of the Youth Festival-3 here

Thank you again for praying and sharing in this dream to see youth equipped with winning skills.

Because of His grace,

A.Othniel
1 Cor. 15:57-58.

Their Experiences:
* The very important things, i.e. living a victorious life and being a disciple and the communication style useful in society. These I have learnt and will soon adapt into my life.

* I learnt so manythings these three days through the lectures, individual presentations and group discussions. I got to know a new thing that we should not see the problem but take it as a challenge and we can be wnners in life. This I will practice in my day to day life. It will also be helpful working in the field as well. I liked the most the lecture on communication skill and the presentation style, giving privilege for leadership.

* I learned how to be a winner, how to communicate and how to be a disciple. Because God is with me, I want to win in each and every aspect of my life. I had learned a nice way of communication and hence I can make new friends. I have learned how to disciple my life in Jesus. Your teaching is excellent, it made me learn what I am and what I can do.

* The lectures were inspiring and giving us a time to think about ourselves. Some of them (examples) were very straight forward but we encourage you also to give some positive examples. We plan to apply these as practical tips for our life and will try to pass onto others. I liked the individual attention where everyone was given a chance to express.

* These words are going to be very useful in my future. I could tell a lot about repentance and discipleship, etc. I want to tell all leaders in our church to follow this. I liked the messages about repentance and I was impressed a lot by the first message in the morning and I liked the jokes that were funny to laugh all the time. Overall it was very good to come here as this is the first seminar which is very good and very different. I think I got the world's best thing in my life. It will be used a lot in my future.

* I had mainly learned your way of managing the conference and even the spiritual food which you had given. I am going to share what I had learned here with my friends. Here I liked the most is your punctuality.

* The art of making disciples is a much needed task essential to be personally trained to impart this to others. Apart from this lecture on being and making disciple, all the other texts, backed by Scripture are very much of use for all believers. The materials, the content are extremely beneficial for everyone who wants to live godly life, the present and eternal. I liked most the content of the lessons, presented with the help of PPT. I take the notes for lifelong use. Thanks a lot for that. Everything is one of its kind!

* The lectures are good and help us to face challenges with courage, determination and to mainly concentrate on salvation, conviction (soul winning), rather than other things. Explanation of David's challenge and problem was excellent. Showing through slides made us to understand clearly. the lecture on communication helps me to draw people closer to me. I learnt punctuality, discipline and mingling with others.

Click to See the Photos here