ASPIRE stands for ASia Pacific In Responsible Evangelism. It is a term we have used for our successful, Asia Pacific area-wide training initiatives. It was YFC's desire to lead the young people who came to ASPIRE down a pathway to long-term ministry leadership. Through the lives and stories of some of the most experienced and effective international youth ministry leaders, we challenged these emerging young leaders about committing their lives to full-time ministry. We opened their minds and hearts to their innate potential and allowed them to listen to God's call on their lives. We put in place opportunities that would open doors into mission and initiated programs that provided the support and nurture they required in the early years of ministry.

The IGNITE plan calls for regional ASPIRE's each year in different regions. These repeat every 3 years. Over time, the national programs in each region take over the responsibility for the funding.

The first regional ASPIRE was ASPIRE South Asia in October 2006 held in Bangalore, India. The second regional ASPIRE was ASPIRE Central Asia held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in January, 2008.

We are anticipating two regional ASPIRE's in 2009--ASPIRE Pacific in August 2009 held in Fiji and ASPIRE South Asia in February, 2009 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The regional ASPIRE's focus on equipping our staff and volunteers and challenging them to commitment and mission to reach the young people of our world. Each regional ASPIRE will be coordinated by the local nations within the region and will take on the needs and style of the local region.

The regional ASPIRE conferences have four main overall objectives:

• To instil a commitment to youth evangelism and discipleship.
• To impart leadership skills and develop leadership potential.
• To train and equip leaders to be more effective in youth ministry and youth evangelism.
• To challenge the participants to mobilize mission teams in order to bring the Gospel to new people groups in their country and surrounding countries.