While many already have gone and more are yet to go before us, the UMYFP remains a strong community of faith straining towards an empowered nation – making history while carrying on the ministry…
The fellowship has stripped off its old skin and created an identity along the years. We see the undying legacy of the great commission through our past and present leaders. Another biennium is soon drawing to its end while anew comes. As we rest on our laurels and set our sights up high, it’s worth looking back onto the footsteps we left behind and realize how far we have gone as a community and a church.
Indeed, the God of Timothy and Jeremiah had blessed us with glorious years that placed our fellowship into where and what it is now. He had chosen leaders from humble and ordinary faces of life to do extraordinary works for the ministry. No wonder that the National Youth Conference was institutionalized to guide the fellowship on its journey and the UMYFP Constitution evolved according to the needs of time.
As we bask in brief relief of having gathered for the 30th NYC, let us glimpse through the pages of its humble history…
Through painstaking works and consultation with youth groups and leaders of the early organization, the “Methodist Youth Fellowship” came into being and was formally inaugurated at the Watch Night Service on December 31, 1941.
It was after the World War II that the proposed constitution was approved and ratified leading to the creation of local, district and conference organizations.
After the establishment of Annual Conferences in some areas in Luzon, the first National Conference of the MYF took place at Guimba, Nueva Ecija on January 2-5, 1951 under the leadership of Rev. F.V. Cabotaje who was then the Area Executive Secretary of the Central Conference Board of Education. Three hundred delegates attended and elected La Verne Mercado as the fist National MYF President.
The organization soon became the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYFP) after several conferences were held. On March, 1976, the 14th UMYFP Convention formally adopted the new Constitution that elected Rogelio Bueno as President for the third time. It was on October 7, 1976 when Bishop Paul Locke Granadosin granted NUMYFP the permission to initiate experimental form of structure within the fellowship. The National Council finalized the New UMYFP Organizational set-up and election code referred to it by the convention.
During the 17th Biennial Convention, the new Constitution and By-Laws was amended by the 1982 Constitutional Drafting Committee. The constitution was them revised and adopted during the 20th Biennial Convention.
A leadership vacuum occurred which yielded no election during the 22nd Biennial Convention on April, 1992. A National Steering Committee had been formed. The Adjourned 22nd Biennial Convention was held on April, 1993 in Capas, Tarlac with electing national officers as its primary agendum. Another Constitutional Convention was called into order by Juvy Manuel on April 9-12, 1997.
After nine years, though constitutional amendment was being proposed for several times, a formal call to hold a Constitutional Convention was done at Iba, Zambales in April, 2006 during the 29th NYC. The ConCon then took place at the historical city of Malolos, Bulacan in July 2007 during the leadership of Mighty Rasing as national president.
This year, the fellowship celebrates its 30th National Youth Conference and seeks to ratify the amended constitution in San Nicolas UMC, San Nicolas, Pangasinan which will surely situate another history in the life of the UMYFP. This year’s conference will also be jovial celebration as it stages the First Awit Kay Yahweh concert featuring original compositions of Methodist youths and Laverne Mercado leadership award in honor of Bishop La Verne Mercado, first NUMYFP president, who exemplified a true spirit of leadership. It will also be a venue of reminiscences for the past leaders of the fellowship who have been invited for the Alumni Night.
God indeed remains faithful to the UMYFP. There is vision in the midst of uncertainties and a clear path in the crossroads of great challenges of this time. After all those glorious years, the history continues…
SOURCE: 25th Biennial Convention Journal
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Posted by Earlie Pasion 
