World Evangelical Alliance Appoints New Youth Commission Leader
“Since WEA's vision is to disciple the nations, and since over 50% of the world is under 25 years of age, we feel an urgency to establish and support effective Youth Commissions in every nation”
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) appointed a new leader for its Youth Commission – one of six specialized ministries that help facilitate the activities of the alliance.
Paul Fleischmann co-founder and president of the National Network of Youth Ministries in the United States, was unanimously chosen to lead the WEA Youth Commission by his fellow commission members at their annual meeting in Orlando in January, according to the WEA. However, the recommendation was not made final until the International Council reviewed the nomination and confirmed it in March.
“Since WEA's vision is to disciple the nations, and since over 50% of the world is under 25 years of age, we feel an urgency to establish and support effective Youth Commissions in every nation,” said Fleischmann upon hearing of his appointment.
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The WEA Youth Commission strives to serve the Alliance’s 123 national affiliates in a way that could help them more effectively reach, equip and mobilize young people to “disciple communities and the world for Jesus Christ”, according to WEA.
Currently, there are 39 established national Youth Commissions around the world with another 21 countries in the formation process.
Fleischmann hopes that in his tenure, he could help build strategic partnerships across regions.
“First, we want to impart a vision to the church in each region and nation for reaching every young person for Jesus Christ—discipling them and mobilizing them to reach their communities and, ultimately, to go to the world,” Fleischmann explained to the WEA.
“Second, we hope to stimulate the planting of youth ministry networks in every area—in order to facilitate youth prayer movements, positive relationships and communication between youth workers, and increased effectiveness through strategic partnerships.”
In the past four years, the Commission held training consultations in Africa, Europe, Latin America, Asia and the U.S. This November, the Evangelical Fellowship of India will host the Youth Commission’s next training.
Prior to his new appointment, Fleischmann served on the WEA’s Youth Commission as the North American representative from 1999 to 2002 and as the Vice Chair for three years thereafter.
Paul is the co-founder and president of the National Network of Youth Ministries in the United States. Formed in 1981, this partnership of youth organizations and denominational youth ministries unites a coalition of 250,000 youth workers and 100,000 churches serving in every U.S. state and 600 local communities. Paul and his wife Toni have two grown sons and live in San Diego, California.
