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GETI students spoke with members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order, WCC central committee, WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, and United Bible Society.
GETI participant Stephannie Joy Mayores, who co-moderated the conversation, said that GETI students were able to see how faith, scholarship, and ecumenical spirit have been laid in one table. “Listening to these different voices has both inspired and challenged me,” she said. “Inspired because there is a deep sense of hope in hearing that the youth are recognized as the future of the wider ecumenical movement.”
Mayores said it was affirming to know that the GETI students’ efforts, energy, creativity, questions, work, and ways of knowing and doing are seen as vital contributions to the continuing journey for justice, peace, reconciliation, and unity.
“Challenged on the other hand because as I listened and reflected, I could not help but to ask a deeper question: Have we, the current leaders, structures, and systems in the ecumenical spaces, intentionally and truly considered giving space not only in the future but in the now?” she asked. “It is one thing to affirm the youth to be the future leaders, but it is another to intentionally make space for them.”
Mayores said that broadening the table means allowing the voices of youth to contribute and even shape the present ecumenical imagination.
“Perhaps the challenge right now is how are we adding more seats in the table – not only for the youth but also for those who were systemically excluded in the ecumenical spaces,” she said. “Adding to this, we are also asked not only to prepare the youth for future leadership but also to reimagine leadership itself – not only intergenerational but also one that is inclusive of different realities and radically transformative.”
H.E. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian, vice moderator of the WCC central committee, deeply appreciated meeting with the GETI students.
“I saw the future of WCC is going to be in good hands—and they are our future,” he said. “This was a good opportunity to tell them what I have been doing for the last 50 years in the ecumenical movement.”
Aykazian reflected that the GETI students have many opportunities ahead of them.
“I hope they will be serious—that they will take care of the needy, poor homeless, they will struggle against injustice, and they will be the voice of the voiceless,” he said.
