Nazarene Youth Conference Africa 2016 kicked off 14 December 2016 at the Good News Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. More than 500 people filled the auditorium for a night of music, spiritual dance, spoken word, and a message of encouragement from Nazarene church member and retired Major League Soccer player Shaun Bartlett.

Throughout the event, themed Chosen to Change, NYC participants attended workshops on various topics from leadership to missions to women in ministry. The workshops were led by African leaders and a few international visitors who shared their insights with the youth. Nazarene speakers such as Africa Regional Education Coordinator Gabriel Benjamin, Pastor Phumzile Phago, Nazarene Theological Seminary (USA) President Carla Sunberg, and more shared the Word with the young people during each of the six worship services. 

Each participant was also able to enjoy times of fellowship in the meal tent, including opportunities to play games and win prizes, and during the daylong service project in the greater Johannesburg community. Participants were divided into smaller groups before visiting Churches of the Nazarene on the Republic of South Africa Gauteng District to complete service projects and conduct evangelistic outreaches in local communities.

Serve Day became a highlight for many young people from outside South Africa as it gave them a chance to see everyday life in South Africa.

Another highlight was the fact there was a participant from a creative access area who was able to experience the Nazarene family even though, at this time, he is the only Nazarene in his country. He said the event was "very different from anything I have ever seen in my country." 

The next NYC Africa will be held in Accra, Ghana, in 2020.

--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa