AN INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN youth event bringing thousands of "tomorrow's leaders" to the birthplace of the civil rights movement - under the banner of reconciliation - has been endorsed by one of the country's most influential politicians.
Target World '96, expected to gather up to 7,500 young people in Atlanta, has been commended in a letter by US House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich for "challenging, motivating and equipping...leaders of tomorrow."
Sponsored by Youth With A Mission's King's Kids movement, Target World '96 will bring the participants together for a week-long conference and celebration before sending them out in small teams to work alongside local churches in Atlanta and other cities across North, South and Central America.
Organizers believe that by sharing their faith through performing arts, sports programs, practical help projects and multi-cultural activities, the international youth groups will be able to leave a message of hope for the future in some of the urban areas troubled by crime and racial tensions.
Already almost 5,000 are registered for the event, with 60 countries represented among the 150 teams of ten- to 18-year-olds - with hopes that Gingrich's support may help swell the number of overseas participants.
"We have found that for schools in some parts of the world, the dates" - from July 8 to August 4 - "are difficult because school has either not finished, or a new term is starting," said Target World's spokeswoman Lisa Fields.
"We hope that this commendation might underline the significance of the opportunity of being part of this event."
Youngsters signed up for Target World have been working hard to pay their way to Georgia, with a young South African girl selling homemade greetings cards to raise the money, and two teenagers in the Middle East saving all their baby-sitting money.
"We know that for some the sacrifice involved in getting here is considerable, but you can't really put a price on the impact - on the participants themselves, and the people they will come into contact with - of having young people from so many different backgrounds united in their faith in Christ," said Fields.
Following the first week's Target World Celebration - to be held at Sun Valley Beach, a leisure resort outside Atlanta - teams will disperse to scores of outreach locations but link-up again, by video and radio, on July 27 for the Hope For The Americas rally which will see them gather for prayer in city centers.
Target World '96 is the second of three major youth missions gatherings being organized this decade by King's Kids - YWAM's discipleship and evangelism ministry for pre-teens and teenagers, and families.
The first Target World took 3,000 participants to Barcelona, Spain during the 1992 Olympics, with a third event planned for 2000.
To contact the Target World coordination office: 75713.1577@compuserve.com
Last updated: 1996, May 31 /pf