General Assembly 2008: Youth for Christ

General Information

Safety at General Assembly

There have been concerns surrounding the recent unrest and violence in South Africa that has been reported in the world news over the last few weeks. We have been in contact with our YFC staff in South Africa and continue to monitor the situation. We will continue to rely on the input and wisdom of our YFC staff on the ground knowing that they are our best resource on the issue of safety for the YFC General Assembly.

Please click to see a statement from Brian Helsby, Board Chairman and Rolf Weichardt, National Director, Youth for Christ South Africa:

Dear Friends,

We are sure that many of you have heard that there has been unrest in South Africa around displaced Foreign Nationals. South Africa is home to over 5 million displaced people who have fled political unrest and poverty in various African nations. It is difficult to differentiate between illegal immigrants and those who are genuine refugees. The unrest has taken place in the poorest informal settlements, i.e. our poorest ghettos, where foreign Africans have settled. They are perceived to be a threat to the survival of struggling local South Africans. The violence and unrest is not in our cities/suburbs and most certainly not in Magaliesberg (the location of General Assembly 2008). The unrest also does not affect foreign Africans not living in these poor communities. YFC have Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals on our staff who are not in any danger at all.

However, we would very much appreciate your prayers specifically at this time for the nation of South Africa and the displaced foreigners as the last few days have been very sad indeed. In this time of evil the response of the church in South Africa has been fantastic.

We want to assure all international visitors to our country that you are not in any danger or at risk due to the current tensions in the poorest of the poor communities in our land.

Yours in Christ,
Brian Helsby
Rolf Weichardt
On Behalf of Youth for Christ South Africa

We also want to assure all those attending General Assembly of the following safety and security measures:

Our transportation system (with oversight from our YFC staff in Johannesburg) will pick you up at the airport (there will be YFC airport greeters as well as an information table set up clearly marked Youth for Christ) and transport you to the YFC office in Johannesburg. From the YFC office you will be transported by bus to the YFC Training Centre – CYARA. Throughout this entire transportation process, you will be accompanied and hosted by South African YFC staff and volunteers.
A reminder, as mentioned by Brian and Rolf, the YFC Training Centre-CYARA is located in Magaliesburg which is 60 – 90 minutes outside of Johannesburg.
The YFC Training Centre – CYARA is in a very safe and secure location. The normal hired security for the Centre will be increased the week of General Assembly to insure continued safety and security.

Dates:

General Assembly 2008 will begin with dinner and an opening session on Friday the 19th of September 2008 and will conclude on the morning of Friday the 26th of September. The registration deposit is US$100 per person.

Location:

YFC Training Conference Centre CYARA in Magaliesburg, South Africa. Located 90 minutes northwest of Johannesburg. » MAP

Who Will be Attending:

Young Leaders selected by each nation, Areas Leadership Team, National Directors, Board Chairpersons, Key National Leaders (Prayer, Ministry and Training Coordinators), Spouses, YFCI Board members, Alumni, and partners of YFC.

Costs:

Young Leaders:	US$500*
National/Area Directors:	US$500**
Board Chairperson:	US$250
Non-voting Delegates:	US$500
Spouse:	US$250
Child (0-3yrs):	US$0 No child care available.
Child (4-18yrs):	US$250 No child care available.
Alumni, Partners, & Friends of YFC:	US$500
1-Day Pass:	US$100
Extra Nights:	US$50 per person. Cost may be higher if an accommodation upgrade is requested.

* This US$500 is your Young Leader Development and Empowerment Process fee.

** Subsidies and travel assistance may be available for National Directors/Coordinators if needed. If you want to be considered for financial assistance, please contact your Area Director.

The registration cost includes:

The US$100 deposit was due by 31 March, 2008. The deposit must accompany your registration to secure your space so please get it in as soon as possible.
20 meals from the evening of the 19th of September through breakfast on the 26th of September.
Accommodation at YFC-CYARA for Friday the 19th of September through the night of Thursday the 25th of September, unless otherwise noted. There will be an additional cost to those who choose to upgrade their housing.
Ground transportation from/to Johannesburg on the 18th, 19th, and 26th of September.

The registration cost does not include:

Travel
Visa
Extra nights
Hotel Upgrade

Registration Deadline:

The registration deadline has passed and the deposit has increased to US$100 per person.

Housing:

The registration cost includes housing for all attendees at the YFC Training Conference Centre CYARA. YFC-CYARA accomodations are dormitory style, from 4 to 9 per room. Only some dormitories have bathrooms en suite. These housing assignments will be made by the General Assembly Office on a first come-first serve basis. Roommate requests should be made on your registration form.

Housing Alternatives
If you are a National Director/Coordinator, National Board Chairperson or a non-voting delegate and would like to upgrade your accommodation, you may do so. However, you will be charged an additional cost during registration. Note: Young Leaders must stay at the Training Centre, so they are ineligible for an upgrade. Alternate Accommodation Options:
Shuttle service to and from these accomodations will be provided. Sign up for alternate accomodations using the YFC Registration system, not directly through them.

Nutbush Boma (3 star) > Pricing
Valley Lodge (4 star) > Pricing

Safety:

Every effort is being made to ensure the safety of those who attend General Assembly. The GA meeting and accommodation venues are located in a secure area of the scenic Hekpoort Valley near Magaliesburg. Also, delegates will be met in Johannesburg and transported to the GA venue near Magaliesburg, about a 90 minute drive northwest from Johannesburg.

Travel:

General Assembly Delegates:
You are responsible for your own travel arrangements to South Africa. Please arrive in Johannesburg by 15.00 hours (3:00pm) on Friday, 19 September. You may schedule your departure for anytime on Friday, 26 September.

If you are flying to South Africa, please book your flight into the Johannesburg International Airport. If you will be arriving by bus or train, please note on your registration.

National Directors/Coordinators who need assistance with travel, please contact your Area Director.

Young Leaders:
If you are involved in the 2-year Young Leader Development and Empowerment process, your travel arrangements will be coordinated through the General Assembly Office. Please submit your travel plans and needs as early as possible so that the office staff can negotiate group fares.

Visa Requirements:

Some delegates will be required to obtain a visa before entering South Africa. Be sure to check the Visa Requirements Summary. For further information, review the South African Department of Home Affairs website or contact the South African Consulate in your nation to determine if you need a visa. Please note that visa costs are in addition to the registration. If traveling from countries within the Yellow Fever belt, you will also need certification of Yellow Fever vaccination.

Note: If you are flying through multiple countries on your way to South Africa, you may need to obtain additional transit or visitor's visas for nations where you have a stopover. To research these requirements, check with your airline or the nation's consulate.

Ground Transportation:

Transportation will be provided between the Johannesburg International Airport and the General Assembly venue on:

Thursday, 18 September
Friday, 19 September
Friday, 26 September

If you are scheduled to arrive before 18 September or depart after 26 September, transportation will be at your own expense.

Information regarding transportation for those arriving by bus or train will be provided at a later date.

Post General Assembly Trips:

After General Assembly, attendees are free to explore more of South Africa. Somoho tours is happy to work with you if you would like to head to the Cape town area.

Youth for Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ and commitment to social involvement. » Learn more on the YFC website

Vision Statement:
As part of the Body of Christ, to see that every young person in every people group in every nation has the opportunity to make an informed decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ and become part of a local church.