Evening fringe programs featured youth music and
dance groups from many different countries.
“This conference is wonderful for me,” said Maira
from Myanmar. “We have had a great experience and
we saw many cultures and many people from around the
world – all of God’s creation.”
Not only did attendees learn more about the different
cultures and traditions of Baptists around the world, they
also learned a great deal about Germany and the work of
German Baptists. During the opening celebration, German
Baptists presented a moving video accompanied by a
string group, singers and a mime that took the audience on
a journey through German history, including the Protestant
Reformation, the Holocaust and the Communist period.
Those gathered learned about the important role
Christians in Leipzig played in the peaceful revolution that
led to the fall of communism, a testimony to the power of
prayer.
On Saturday, participants brought the youth conference
out of the Trade Fair Center and into the city of Leipzig.
Music groups performed at three stages throughout the city
in the afternoon, and in the evening the youth and persons
from the community gathered in the square for “Leipzig
Live,” a program of music and interviews of prominent
persons in Leipzig’s history.
The 15th Baptist Youth World Conference was a life-
changing experience for many who attended. Youth were
strengthened in their spiritual journey, encouraged by their
new friendships, and emboldened by the knowledge that
there are Baptist young people living for Christ all over
the world.
As Elias from Finland said, “Seeing that there are
other people who are Christian…that will continue to
inspire me.”

(Photos: The mass choir, made up of singers from various countries,
performed during the fi nal session which was broadcast live on
German television; Matt and Juls Hollidge and their band led worship
during the week, leading youth into enthusiastic adoration, praise and
commitment; A group of youth from the United States who attended
the BWA Youth Conference in the city of Leipzig in Germany.)
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