Indigenous Youth Being Baptized!
Jacob and Rachel Hwang have been serving full-time as Fellowship International missionaries at Ahousaht, (on Flores Island) off the west coast of Vancouver Island, for the past ten years. Within recent years, they (by the grace of God) have also launched a second ministry in the nearby city of Port Alberni. Living at Ahousaht First Nation with their six children, their ministry focuses on raising up Indigenous leaders and building a sustainable, multiplying community of believers through disciple-making.
They have seen a wonderful response to the Gospel among First Nation youth who now make up a substantial demographic in their ministries at Ahousaht and Port Alberni! One definite key to that growth among young adults has been their active participation in the AYC (Aboriginal Youth Conferences) held every spring and summer since 2018—when only three youth attended!
This year’s Spring AYC (March 24-27) was a powerful time of spiritual renewal, discipleship, and emerging youth leadership attended by more than 200 aboriginal youth including 51 youth, young adults, a support team, and chaperones from the Hwangs’ two ministries! They engaged in extended times of worship, prayer, and biblical teaching, with a special highlight being when the Ahousaht and Port Alberni youth worship team led a morning service and presented a skit entitled “Reborn”, illustrating the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of camp there was a baptism ceremony in the ocean waters of Nanoose Bay and six young people from Ahousaht and Port Alberni were baptized!
Beyond the camp, Jacob and Rachel are continuing to walk closely with these youth through ongoing discipleship and mentoring, helping them grow in faith, character, and leadership within their own cultural context. Their goal is not just spiritual growth, but also multiplication as these young believers seek to disciple others in their First Nation communities!