5. A u s t r i a :

NEW INITIATIVE FOR MINISTRY IN CATHOLIC WORLD

ONE OF THE world's largest interdenominational missionary groups has launched a new initiative to expand its work among Roman Catholics.
Kerygma Teams has been founded by some Youth With A Mission leaders working in the Catholic world to develop "effective and sensitive ministry" - including evangelism and training - among Catholics who according to one of the coordinators of the new network "are both an enormous mission field and potential missions force".
Developed by YWAM leaders from Austria, Ireland and Germany - where ministry among the predominantly Catholic populations has grown over years - Kerygma Teams has been established as an umbrella "to coordinate work and share resources" among existing and planned YWAM programs.
The new thrust follows a series of international consultations between leaders from YWAM and the Catholic church aimed at looking for ways to work more closely together.
It has been welcomed by Catholic leaders "who feel they now have a group they can work with which is sensitive to Catholic issues, and has some basis of understanding and training in ministering among Catholics", said Bruce Clewett, one of the Kerygma coordinators, who has overseen YWAM's work in Austria for the past 20 years.
Kerygma Teams aims to "help foster the birth of a new missions movement among Catholic laity", provide training and ministry opportunities, and "help spread a vision for true spiritual unity among Christian leaders and groups, and to demonstrate this through collaborative Christian projects that cross national, cultural and church lines".
Programs include evangelism teams working in various Catholic parishes, and special training for young lay-missionaries wanting to work in the Catholic world.
"There are approximately one billion Roman Catholics in the world today, and a growing number of Catholics and Protestants in YWAM have over the years recognized they can play an important part in helping to reach this enormous mission field, as well as training and mobilizing this potential missions force," said Clewett.
"We hope that Kerygma Teams will foster greater understanding between our mission and other groups, and open new avenues of service in the future."
Clewett was also one of the founders of ReLAY, an independent group established to promote reconciliation and unity among European Christians, the re-evangelization of Europe, the mobilization of young Christians for service, and the training of Catholic lay-leaders.
Around 200 leaders from Catholic and interdenominational communities, missionary organizations and youth groups from across the Continent are due to gather in London at the end of this month for the first ReLAY conference.
Speakers will include Cardinal Basil Hume, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Westminster, and YWAM European regional director Jeff Fountain.
"YWAM stands for unity among all who believe in Jesus," said Fountain. "There is growing recognition among evangelical Protestants that what unites us with genuine Catholic believers is greater than what separates us.
"Although the climate may not be ripe for the initiative to be embraced everywhere within YWAM, I believe Kerygma Teams is a significant and welcome development for our mission, especially here in Europe."