LOUISVILLE, Ky. - About 600 young people gathered for the third triennial Presbyterian Youth Connection Assembly (PYCA) where they got a chance to enact "legislation" on issues facing the church and the world.

The youngsters represent Presbyterian Church (USA) and partner churches around the world, according to a news report from PCUSANews. The PYCA, launched in 1997, is meant to equip and empower young people to lead, listen and learn within their faith communities.

Developing a new generation of leaders in response to God's call to the church was a point of emphasis for the Rev. Rodger Nishioka, who delivered the assembly's opening worship service.

"I believe you are called to be leaders of Christ's church," said Nishioka, a professor of youth ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga. "And this call is not dependent upon you, but upon the God who created you."

Nishioka used several biblical figures to illustrate how the faithful carry out God's call on their lives when the outcome is uncertain.

"This pattern is lived out over and over again in Christian history," Nishioka said. "When God calls, we respond with doubt, with protest, with skepticism, with despair…and sometimes with faith. And when we do, like Abram and Moses and Jeremiah and Jesus, great things happen."

He said the notion God calls people of faith a bedrock idea.

"Every one of us here is called by God and invited to be a leader," he said. "God is calling us out in remarkable ways to serve."

The PYCA opened July 30 and continues through Aug. 3. The assembly will elect co-moderators to preside over plenary sessions and chair the Presbyterian Youth Council for the next three years.