She took time to reflect on how Bible engagement is changing among young people, and on the outcomes of the summit. How do you think Bible engagement is changing among young people? Rev. Puimera: When I looked at the Patmos Youth Report, I was deeply encouraged to see that many young Christians still consider the Bible an important part of their lives. The report also explains how perspectives on the Bible and patterns of Bible engagement differ across various regional clusters. Today, many young people have not abandoned the Bible. In fact, many still prefer printed Bibles. However, we also want our Bible engagement to be integrated with our mobile and digital lives. Since the digital environment has become such an essential part of daily life for young people, we appreciate tools that help us track and support our spiritual journey digitally as well. As many young people today belong to Generation Z, I believe digital ministry and digital discipleship play a very important role in supporting their faith journey. Most importantly, churches and para-church organizations should not see young people merely as objects of research or participants in surveys. Instead, young people need to be actively involved in Bible engagement itself, not only being taught, but also being given space to learn, explore, and practice the Bible in ways that are meaningful and relevant to our everyday lives. From your perspective, what are the major outcomes of the Patmos Bible Summit? Rev. Puimera: From my perspective, one of the major outcomes of the Patmos Bible Summit is its effort to help us better understand the influence of Bible reading culture and Bible engagement in the daily lives of Christians around the world, especially through the different regional clusters presented in the report. This is very helpful for churches, Bible societies, and Christian organizations in identifying both the strengths and the challenges within each region that need greater attention and support. The summit also highlighted the importance of Bible engagement in the life of Christians, beginning with the credibility of Christian witness, access to Scripture, and the provision of Bibles that are not only widely distributed, but also accessible to people with disabilities and available in local and indigenous languages according to the diversity of tribes and communities. Another important outcome is the strong concern of the Patmos Bible Summit for the next generation. This is very encouraging for us as young people, teenagers, and children, because we are reminded that we should not only inherit the Bible physically, but also carry it in our hearts and lives. The summit was not only about the Bible as a book, but also about how we live out God’s Word in our daily lives. The Bible becomes something that empowers and encourages us to live more Christ-like lives, so that we can bring the spirit of God’s Word into prophetic voices that promote justice, reconciliation, and unity. What would you like share from the unique perspective of the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia? Rev. Puimera: From my perspective as a young pastor in the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia, reading and engaging with the Bible is already an important part of our daily church life. We have many kinds of worship gatherings, including Sunday services, family worship every Wednesday, and fellowship meetings for different age groups from children to the elderly, as well as men’s and women’s communities. However, in many of these gatherings, I sometimes feel that our practices can become routine and heavily scheduled. While the activities continue regularly, they may at times feel less warm, less inclusive, and less connected to the real struggles that people are facing in their daily lives. In this sense, the frequency of worship does not always guarantee the depth or quality of faith. There can be feelings of uncertainty, exhaustion, or spiritual emptiness that are not answered simply by having more programs or activities. What is needed is not only quantity, but also quality in how people experience faith and Scripture. From the Patmos Bible Summit, I learned the importance of valuing both frequency and quality together. Both matter, especially for young people. Consistent engagement with the Bible is important, but it should also be meaningful, relational, and connected to the realities of people’s lives. How will you share your experience with young people? Rev. Puimera: I feel truly grateful to have met people from various organizations who are deeply committed to Bible engagement among young people. Through this experience, I have learned that young people are not merely numbers or investments for the future of Christianity. They are the face of the church today as well as the future of the church. I would like to share this experience by continuing to create spaces for young people that are welcoming, inclusive, and relevant to their lives, while also accompanying them in their spiritual growth and faith journey in Christ. For me, young people still need guidance, and that is why discipleship must also include mentorship. Meaningful mentorship can only happen when mentors themselves know Christ personally and build an intimate relationship with Him. When mentors introduce young people to the Christ who has transformed their own lives, that testimony becomes authentic, relatable, and impactful. This experience has encouraged me even more to proclaim Jesus, who has transformed my life, and to invite young people to live authentically in Him and continue depending on God in their daily journey of faith. What will you incorporate from the summit into your work with the World Council of Churches? Rev. Puimera: From this summit, I realized once again that we cannot separate ourselves from the love of God that is revealed to us through biblical literacy and Bible engagement. The Bible remains an inseparable part of the life of Christians and the church. In many ways, I believe the World Council of Churches is already practicing Bible engagement, although through an ecumenical approach through mission, humanitarian work, campaigns, and companionship. Bible engagement, for me, is not only about personal reading practices, but about becoming more deeply rooted in Christ as our greatest companion in this journey of life. In my work with the WCC, especially with young people, Bible engagement is very important because we are not only raising youth voices or responding to youth issues. Rather, we are moved by the Word of God to use our talents, wisdom, and compassion to embrace and accompany young people. Although our approach is not always centered on personal Bible study alone, I believe that what the WCC does through mission, campaigns, advocacy, and companionship is also a form of Bible engagement within our shared pilgrimage of justice, reconciliation, and unity. As you return home, what can we pray for you as you carry forward the momentum from the summit? Rev. Puimera: As I return home, please pray for me as I continue to keep my commitment as part of the church not only to read the Bible, but to let God’s Word become the meditation of my heart. I pray that it will continue to guide me in raising a prophetic voice for justice and peace, living with the prudence and wisdom of God, and having the strength to live out God’s Word faithfully in my daily life. Please also pray that through my presence and ministry, I may continue to share God’s love with others and reflect Christ in the places where God has called me to serve. Learn more about the Patmos Initiative | 
