At the end of the divine service for Pentecost in Vienna, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider announced the motto for the International Youth Convention, which is taking place in two years time. It is going to be “Here I am”.

“The motto states that we want to be at one with God in the future which lies ahead of us. God is there for us, and we will place ourselves in His service”, is how the Chief Apostle put it, as he invited the youth worldwide to Düsseldorf.

The key visual is revealed

As the title of the motto was revealed so also was its graphical image. It was displayed on a screen at the end of the service. The complete design is dominated by the word tag “Here I am”. Added to this is the key visual of two hands reaching out toward each other. They symbolise the idea of giving and receiving and the nearness of God.

Put together, the text and image combine harmoniously with the logo of the New Apostolic Church and its corporate design. Blue, as the central colour of the design, reinforces the recognition value of the New Apostolic Church. The colour development creates dynamism and variety. The result, together with the additional text, is a harmonious overall design, which can also be applied to other products.

Great responsibility

“’Christ – my future’, the motto of the European Youth Day 2009, left a strong impression behind it”, summarised District Apostle Rainer Storck, head of the New Apostolic Church in North Rhine-Westphalia and thus also host of the International Youth Convention 2019. Therefore, the planning team were very aware of choosing a motto which the youth could take with them over the next two years, throughout the festive weekend itself and could accompany them further in the future.

“’Here I am’ is short, fresh, active and concise”, was District Apostle Storck’s verdict. It could be interpreted in various ways and is thus attractive for the varied activities of the Youth Convention.

Biblical basis

The addressee remains undefined with the statement “Here I am”. It could be God, Jesus or the congregation. The message also has a biblical context. It has references in the Old and in the New Testament; for example in 1. Samuel 3:4, “That the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, ‘Here I am!’”

A further reference can be found in Acts 9:10, “Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’”

Possible broadcast via the internet

“I am aware that not all the youth will have the opportunity to travel to Germany in 2019,” said the Chief Apostle, as he revealed the motto. The Church is currently working on the possibility of broadcasting a selection of events to the youth via the internet. He wasn’t able to make any promises, but the aim was to make such a broadcast available

“I look forward to 2019 and to making many acquaintances at the International Youth Convention, and I wish much joy and God’s blessings in all the preparations,” concluded the Chief Apostle’s motto presentation.