More than 130 children gathered at Visayan Nazarene Bible College for iLEAD, a 5-day children’s leadership summit. iLEAD aims to introduce selected emerging leaders to leadership principles and equip them to lead, share the gospel, and disciple other children and youth.

The event was organized by Philippine-Micronesia Field Office in partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and led by Jasmine Eugenio, field Children’s Ministries coordinator. The event also included Asia-Pacific Regional Director Mark Louw and all field strategy coordinators on the Asia-Pacific Region.

Summit participants chosen from child development centers attended plenary sessions on Self-Identity and Our Influence in the Community, Transforming Community through Children and Youth, and Child Participation – Mission with Children and Youth. Evening services featured messages from Dan Balayo on holiness, Jackson Natividad on being Christian, and Louw on mission. 

Workshops were also offered on topics such as “Healthy Youth Leader” by Rhonda Ackerman, “Personality Development and Interpersonal Communication in Leadership” by Regil Michael Pallan, “Children Discipling Children” by Jackson Natividad, and “Responsible Use of Media and Technology” by Hadassah Gualberto.

During cultural night, the children presented dances and songs while getting to know each other better. They also had a chance to fellowship on final day of the summit during a tour of Cebu City.

The summit concluded when the participants came up with their own ideas on how to be part of God’s greater plan, which led to the creation of the iLEAD Covenant:

We, the delegates of the iLEAD Children’s Leadership Summit 2017, commit to do the following for God’s glory in the next five years:

EVANGELISM

To share the gospel of Christ to all people by means of sports, technology, stories and testimonies, and other Christlike means deemed necessary to win people for Christ.

DISCIPLESHIP

To nurture the younger generation to be Christlike disciples and be equipped also to intentionally make Christlike disciples, by rooting them in God’s Word – an intentional person to person interaction to reach out the lost, love the least and lead the last.

CHURCHMANSHIP

To fully commit ourselves to God, and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to lead children and youth in the work of compassion and justice, and other ministries of the Church of the Nazarene in expanding God’s kingdom.

ADVOCACY

To be an advocate in protecting the rights of a child, and at the same time teaching children and youth about their biblical responsibilities, thus, instilling love, humility, courage, and respect in the hearts of children and adults alike.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific