The Mongolia District gathered for its 6th annual Holiness Gathering outside Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia, 15-18 August 2024. The Holiness Gathering was a four-day spiritual retreat that gathered Nazarenes from across the district for worship, biblical teaching, and fellowship.

This year, 170 adults, youth, and children gathered in the name of Jesus, exploring how they are invited into God’s story and being equipped to share their own stories of God’s transforming grace with others. They experienced the “Living Water” together—the infilling of the Holy Spirit—as they studied the story of the Samaritan women’s encounter with Jesus in John 4. Speakers reminded attendees that no matter their current situation, Jesus is making himself available —the Living Water, who satisfies, cleanses, and sends people to communities to share about the Lord.

People experienced many moments of breakthrough and transformation as God worked among them, like one young girl learning that God loves her and she is not forsaken and a recently widowed women finding acceptance in Christ and the church rather than being subject to addictions. The week of gathering ended with participants committed and commissioned to continually live Christ-centered lives.

More than half of the participants were youth and children. The district sought to intentionally equip the next generation of leaders during the Holiness Gathering. Instead of being the recipients of ministry, they were challenged to join in the ministry.

Partnered with an eight-member Maximum Missions Team, the youths were responsible for planning, leading, and teaching the children. The youth leaders and the Maximum Mission Team arrived a few days early to prepare for the camp and to grow together as a team.

The team experienced a deeper level of God’s love as they worshipped and fellowshipped together. This is a great example of the partnership people enjoy in the Church of the Nazarene.

“My experience joining Maximum Mission in Mongolia has helped me embrace and value other cultures,” said member Girle Ann Dado. “I am amazed by how people worldwide are so diverse and have many differences, yet God loves us all the same. When God is present, people can work together despite their differences.”

Mongolian youth were challenged to go beyond their comfort zone by leading and being the foremost translators. The experience of worship and serving together was moving, and the youth agreed to continue to pursue Christ together.

“I did not think [I could] be [a] translator,” Anu* said. “I was afraid, but God helped me a lot, and I found that it would not be hard work if I fully depended on him. I saw some youths serving [kids wholeheartedly], and their team kids enjoyed [the youth's] caring hearts. I am so happy to be here with all the leaders, and God is leading us to learn more about him. I want to be with youth and leaders for the Mongolian Nazarenes.”

*Full name omitted for privacy

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific