Justin’s opening talk emphasized the importance of the local church, and working in it and with it. He emphasized the importance of the mission in your own community, and making a real difference in practical ways in your local church and your neighborhood. Did you learn anything in the group sessions on Sabbath afternoon that you will be able to put into practice in your church?

As they prepare for next year’s conference in Seattle, I would encourage close collaboration between local pastors, the conference, and GYC leadership.

What does Seattle need? How can GYC impact the city in a positive way? How can GYC involve local members, pastors, and conference officials in the planning and the conference? I would urge them, do all you can to connect the conference with the churches of the host city and the local conference and let the flavor of the local church make this conference unique.

Pastor Bill Cork, Houston, TX

What is the World Conference on Youth & Community Service?
The World Conference on Youth and Community Service is sponsored by the General Conference Youth Ministries Department. Our aim is to develop global unity and to set up a model for youth ministry in Discipleship, Community, and Mission for young people, 16-35 years old.

The WCYCS comprises two phases:
During the first phase (1-6 July)  South Africa will be saturated with service projects like orphanage visitation and improvements, construction, HIV Aids awareness and prevention, school developments, community beautification projects, health expos, sports training, as well as evangelistic meetings. These will be all carried out by participating groups from all over the world in partnership with local youths.

The second phase (8-13 July) will bring all service project participants as well as others to Pretoria for a celebration of what God would have done through our youth in the first phase and for the development of global community through small groups, Discipleship, focused mission training, and worship.

For more information, visit http://impactgcyouth.org/

Such were the sentiments of many young adults who attended the 2011 GODencounters Conference, held September 15-17 in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex of north central Texas.  Over 1500 attendees from across the country convened at the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church to give focus to living lives in sync with Christ, His grace, and His Sabbath.

“GODencounters challenged me to have a real relationship with God in the midst of my hurried life,” offered Kris Bryant, a 26-year-old licensed professional counselor from Oklahoma City, OK. “I am learning what it means to live and breathe the rhythms of grace.”

“Before GODencounters, I didn’t know too much about the whole grace thing,” admitted Danielle Quaye, a student from Kennedale, TX. “[The conference] taught me to stop trying to be perfect, focusing on my mistakes, but rather focus on who Christ really is. It made me a lot closer to GOD.”

Dr. Matthew Gamble of Vagabondservant International was the featured presenter joined by recording artists Maria Long, Elia King, and the Younger Generation Church worship band.  Including the international viewing audience of the live online broadcasts, conservative estimates suggest over 3500 in attendance.

“Matthew Gamble and GODencounters were an amazing blessing in my life,” remarked Danny Coello, a local small business owner. “Matthew’s biblical ability to bring an effective and meaningful twist to familiar subjects was outstanding. I’m appreciate how GODencounters is helping me, personally, in my spiritual journey.”

Registered nurse, Lisa Foster spoke of her husband, Rob, and her experience, “We loved it because GODencounters presented straight from the Bible and made it so clear…The impact it had on our relationship with GOD was to make it more REAL!”

“Matthew Gamble was such an awesome speaker,” echoed Diane Trujillo. “I learned so much from him and he put things in such a simple way that even I could understand it. He made me stop and think about the way I view my relationship with GOD.”

Following the worship sessions, the encounters café afforded attendees a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy meaningful conversations, inspiring music, and opportunities for building relationships.  Additionally, a highlight of the conference was an experiential prayer room called KNEEL. It was open around-the-clock during GODencounters, and attendees arrived at all hours to share sacred time with GOD in prayer.

“The KNEEL prayer room was a blessing worth going through,” shared Diane, “Taking time to commune with GOD in the quiet was more spiritual than anything I’ve experienced before.”

“KNEEL was a huge blessing!” exclaimed 37-year-old Kari Huffman, who was in the midst of a battle with cancer during the time of the conference. “Very Spirit filled, and it allowed me to express my love for GOD in different and unique ways.”

“When I was in KNEEL, a realization that I was not satisfied with my relationship with GOD hit me like a ton of bricks,” confessed Jascilyn Same, a 17-year-old high school student from Arlington. “The impact that it’s made on my life has changed the way I treat every situation…I thank GOD for allowing the opportunity for this wonderful conference.”

Culminating the conference, recording artist Kristian Stanfill held a worship concert, of which Kari commended, “I felt the presence of GOD through Kristian’s music…it was the perfect ending to my Sabbath!”

Yet GODencounters strives to not end at the conclusion of a conference.  It aspires to be a vibrant, ongoing movement of new generations seeking a 24/7 experience of the living GOD.  Through online media like facebook [www.facebook.com/GODencounters] and Twitter [www.twitter.com/GEtweets], the movement continues to offer young adults ongoing ways to walk with Christ.

Beryl Quaye, biology major at the University of Texas at Arlington, put it powerfully:

“GODencounters was a great experience. It was an eye-opener for me. I was baptized several months ago, but in my walk with Christ, I still yearn for more, for a deeper relationship. During GODencounters, one of Matthew Gamble’s messages highlighted the fact that Paul, one of the greatest men of GOD of all time, called himself a wretch and the chief of all sinners. Upon hearing this, I had an epiphany. I suddenly realized that on my own, I am horrible. I am evil. I am sinful. I fail at all my attempts to be good and to keep the law. But with Jesus and the grace HE can bring into my life, I can be full. And as His grace changes me, I will begin to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Now, I am indeed seeking a 24/7 experience with GOD, asking Christ to come into me and change things dramatically for the better. Largely because of the messages I heard at GODencounters, my prayer today and every day now is for Jesus to become everything to me.”

More on the GODencounters movement can be found at www.GODencounters.org, and expressed in a Pacific Press published book, GODencounters: Pursuing a 24/7 Experience of Jesus [www.PacificPress.com/GODencounters].

A. Allan Martin, PhD, CFLE is the Young Adult Ministries Coordinator for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists and teaching pastor of Younger Generation Church [www.YGchurch.com].

Continuing my effort to provide a practical response to the request “How To Start a Young Adult Ministry,” I wanted to offer you three more very helpful resources you can use, and I would encourage you to share with your network of ministry practitioners.

1. SHARE & USE:  Young Adult Ministry Starter Pak 2
These young adult ministry starter packets can be used by anyone, novice or ministry professional, at any level [local church/campus, conference, union, division]. Starter Pak 1 was released Summer 2011 and is available at, http://db.tt/ox6r3T4.

This second pak gives focus to RELATIONSHIPS [http://db.tt/FWSDeI4S]. This is a crucial pak that will predominate your work in young adult ministry.  In addition to building authentic relationships with young adults, your leadership role affords you the responsibility of fostering relationships with adults who can champion new generations if given insights as to how to foster meaningful relationships with them.  The folders in the pak conveniently offer separated items from the appendices for easy ministry use, sharing, and printing.

Young Adult Ministry Starter Pak 2: http://db.tt/FWSDeI4S

2. ENLIST & INVITE:  Young Adult Ministry Advisory [YAMA] on facebook
Over 360 strong, the NAD Young Adult Ministry Advisory [https://www.facebook.com/groups/NADYAMA/] is a collection of practitioners, professionals, and enthusiasts sharing resources and support to local young adult ministry while also giving feedback and counsel to the NAD Youth/Young Adult Ministries Department.  There is no obligation or fee to be part of this facebook group, and it is a live and current assistance to young adult ministry efforts locally and regionally.  I would encourage you to join and to invite your peers who share interest in young adult ministry.

NAD Young Adult Ministry Advisory group on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NADYAMA/

3. IGNITION:  Best of the Web–YouTube
Over the last decade, the face of online communication and creativity has changed.  It is vital that you begin to learn the new forms of online media and discern the impact it has on the culture of new generations.  Further, we need to discover the ways by which these online innovations can help us with young adult ministry endeavors. Here is a presentation I’ve been doing called, “Best of the Web: YouTube,” which gives one of many examples of how these online forms are impacting the communication media of new generations.

IGNITION: Best of the Web—YouTube: http://db.tt/RimPpj0

I hope these three items are of help to you and your valued ministry.  Please share freely with your colleagues and those for whom you provide oversight.

This current generation of young adults [aka:  The Millennials or Generation Y] is said to be the largest generation in the history of the world.  I am honored and humbled to work alongside you, making a Kingdom-size investment in these young adult lives.

Recording artist, Kristian Stanfill will be live in concert, Saturday, September 17th, 7:00 PM, at the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX  76017.  Doors open at 6:30 PM with local worship group, the Younger Generation Church band to open.  General admission tickets are $15.00 and are available online at www.YGchurch.com

A recognizable fixture on the worship line up of the Passion Conferences, Kristian Stanfill is a rising Christian musical artist from Atlanta, Georgia. His 2011 album, Mountains Move, reached #64 on the Billboard 200, and is characterized as a collection of songs “ready to give voice to the praise of people and churches all over the world, recognizing the tumultuous conditions we live in today.”

“These songs are about having faith in God,” Stanfill notes, “and believing that God is who He says He is, no matter what our circumstances are…The situation might seem impossible, really bleak and dark right now, but remember how big our God is. Remember His promises. That gives you hope.”

The Stanfill concert is open to the community and is hosted by Younger Generation Church, the vibrant young adult ministry of the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.  For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.YGchurch.com or order your tickets online directly from www.iTickets.com.

A. I define young adults as men and women ages 18-35, whether single or married.

B.   Goals of young adult ministry:

• Evangelize young adults
• Nurture their spiritual life
• Connect with community
• Involve in mission
• Prepare for leadership

C.  Ministry with young adults may be coordinated by a staff member or by young adult volunteers. Young adult ministry is done with young adults rather than for them; thus there should be opportunity for developing collaboration and leadership skills. Give them resources and let them go!

D. First steps:

• Get a small core team of committed people
• Have initial social event with food (“If you feed them, they will come”) to get an idea of what people are interested in
• Build around a regular, consistent event
• Seek a balance of spiritual, social, and service activities
• Plug into city-wide events.
• Don’t get discouraged!

D.  Ministry with young adults should aim at integration of young adults into all areas of church life and leadership, not simply the establishment of a young adult group.

E.  Where appropriate, young adult ministry should include specific outreach to college and university students and faculty, and the establishment of chapters of Adventist Christian Fellowship.

F. Communication is critical

•  In some churches it is hard to get “pulpit time” for oral announcements.
• Young adults don’t tend to read the bulletin, even when you get something in it.
• Social media and personal invitations

In response to an overflow of requests as to “How To Start a Young Adult Ministry,” I wanted to offer you three very helpful resources you can use, and I would encourage you to share with your network of ministry practitioners.

1. SHARE & USE:  Young Adult Ministry Starter Pak Series

I’ll be releasing a series of FREE starter packets that can be used by anyone, novice or ministry professional, at any level [local church/campus, conference, union, division].

This first pak gives focus to RESEARCH [http://db.tt/ox6r3T4]. Although not glamorous, I believe it provides a solid foundation on which to build your young adult ministry. And I affirm that it is a required step, not to be bypassed.  In subsequent quarters, look for the next starter pak to be posted in our Young Adult Ministry Advisory group on facebook.

Young Adult Ministry Starter Pak 1:  http://db.tt/ox6r3T4

2. JOIN & ENLIST:  Young Adult Ministry Advisory [YAMA] on facebook

Over 350 strong, the NAD Young Adult Ministry Advisory [https://www.facebook.com/groups/6637337173] is a collection of practitioners, professionals, and enthusiasts sharing resources and support to local young adult ministry while also giving feedback and counsel to the NAD Youth/Young Adult Ministries Department.  There is no obligation or fee to be part of this facebook group, and it is a live and current assistance to young adult ministry efforts locally and regionally.  You and others of your team involved in young adult ministry are welcome to join.

NAD Young Adult Ministry Advisory group on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6637337173

3. IGNITION:  Young Adult Ministry Training

Over the last decade, we have provided young adult ministry training across the NAD and beyond.  Under the branding of IGNITION, we have seen several local conferences continue this training in their context, giving special emphasis to helping local leaders disciple those post high-school through pre-parenthood.  We applaud these local efforts and direct you to our continued division-wide efforts to educate and equip [Look for young adult seminars at the coming NAD Festival of the Laity and the NAD Just Claim It 3: Prayer Summit].

We encourage you to establish an IGNITION for your constituents.  Our blog site [http://ignitionblog.wordpress.com/], offers us an online space to advertise and alert others to your young adult ministry training events.  Also find there helpful resources and dialogue.  It is exciting to see many leaders, beyond youth ministry professionals, seeing the importance of mentoring new generations and beginning in earnest to train and equip to that end.

IGNITION Young Adult Ministry Training:  http://ignitionblog.wordpress.com/

I hope these three items are of help to you and your valued ministry.  Please share freely with your colleagues and those for whom you provide oversight.

This current generation of young adults [aka:  The Millennials or Generation Y] is said to be the largest generation in the history of the world.  I am honored and humbled to work alongside you, making a Kingdom-size investment in these young adult lives.

Trey was among a great constellation of ministry professionals, lay leaders, educators, parents, and young adults who convened in Arlington, Texas, April 4-6, to receive training in young adult ministry at IGNITION Summit 2011.  General sessions by Drs. Tim Elmore and Hyveth Williams, best practice workshops, Habitudes leadership training, and a service excursion to the North Texas Food Bank were among the array of experiences afforded the 120 attendees from across the North American Division and beyond.  Registrants came from all over, including Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and internationally from Mexico and the Virgin Islands.

Dr. Tim Elmore, president of Growing Leaders, Inc., shared revealing insights about Generation iY, those born since 1990.  Elmore also equipped attendees in the “habits and attitudes of leadership” based on the Habitudes curriculum he has developed.

“The thoughts and concepts Tim Elmore presented excited me about leading myself and helping others become leaders,” noted Kyle Martsching, an academic coach from Lincoln, Nebraska. “My vision and desire to lead in all aspects of my life were renewed at IGNITION. I was blessed.”

“IGNITION Summit has opened my eyes to the dire need for young adult leadership training,” asserted Pastor Isaac Heath, from Nacogdoches, Texas. “The Habitudes revealed to me the importance of training new generations in leadership now.”

Various young adult ministries, including Revive Street Ministry, Younger Generation Church, and T.R.U.T.H. [To Render Unconditionally to Him], offered best practice workshops.  Sheri Denny, an administrative assistant from Alvarado, Texas, was delighted to attend a worship-leading workshop.  She lauded, “It was extremely relevant to my current involvement and I found it very helpful and enjoyable.  What an awesome team of young adults you have assembled, they have such a heart for God!”

Sponsorship by AdventSource, Faith For Today, North American Division Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Southwestern Adventist University, and Texas Conference Young Adult Ministries made provision for fellowship through meals and evenings at encounters café, affording attendees opportunities to build relationships and support each other.

Pastor Chris Jones, from Byram, Mississippi, said, “I was encouraged by meeting with others, and the fellowship fueled me to go back to my part of the vineyard and work for Jesus.”

“It was very inspiring to know there are young adult ministries around the world that share the same struggles, but also the same passion!” expressed Zamuel Gutierrez, a business communications consultant from Monterrey, Mexico.  “Our team came from all over Mexico to IGNITION and found it inspiring and very useful.”

Dr. Hyveth Williams, professor of homiletics at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, highlighted the evening worships by sharing her encounter with GOD and it’s transformative impact on her life.  Denny chimed, “Hyveth is a ball of energy and inspiration! Her testimony is beautiful.”

“The presentations fed my soul and spurred my personal need for GOD,” offered Desmond Smith, a psychology major from the Virgin Islands. “IGNITION strengthened my passion for young adult ministry and my faith to step out and reach them where they are.”

IGNITION points to young adult ministry training across the United States, Canada, and Bermuda.  The next division-wide IGNITION training is slated to coincide with Just Claim It³, March 7-12, 2012, in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Details to be released at www.adventistyouthministries.org

As for this year’s summit, IGNITION sparked a leadership revolution and faith revival for those who attended. Gutierrez raved, “We felt the Holy Spirit empowering us through you all.  Thanks for everything!”

“This is my beginning of looking at young adult ministry in a different way,” revealed Pastor Jaime Mendez from Dallas, Texas, “It has ignited a fire in me to disciple new generations and strengthened my relationship with God.”

“IGNITION Summit 2011 has given me an opportunity to reflect on my ministry with young adults and how I might enhance that ministry,” echoed Professor John Matthews, from Andrews University. “More than that, it has been an opportunity to deepen my commitment to GOD and His mission for my life.”

Many times, we as leadership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church get caught up in the routine of our ministries and theological pursuits. With commentaries to peruse, conferences to attend, sermons to preach, initiatives to push, and contacts to followup on, it is all too easy to miss the startling reality that exists within our own congregations. In short, there is a lost generation of young Adventists seeking a home to call their own – even as they shake your hands at the door every week after service.

This realization hit me like a tidal wave this week as I read the blog post of a friend of mine. There is a generation of lost individuals in our church today. They’re lost sitting in your pews. They are lost listening to your sermons. They are lost because they are not the loud liberal left writing blogs, or the outraged reserved right making speeches. They are not lost from the gospel…yet. They are simply lost in the middle of Adventism wondering just what is going on around them. They are my friends; they are my family. They are your children; they are your church “members.” They…are the silent majority. And every so often, when we pause to listen, we might just hear their voice.

Meet Julie. Julie is a friend of mine. Julie’s name is not really Julie, you could insert the name of your son or daughter instead. I haven’t seen Julie since I cheered her across the graduation stage at one of our fine Seventh-day Adventist universities to finally live life in the “real world.” Julie moved away from our Seventh-day Adventiat institution to a town near you, and she’s not just a statistic from your latest book on youth ministry. Actually, Julie and her husband probably go to your church…for now. Julie is taking a break from Adventism. I asked her if it would be okay to share her recent blog to you all in hopes that the silent majority might gain even a small voice. Here is her confession:

“Taking a Break From Adventism

Many may think the title is for shock value to get you to read the blog post. While that may be somewhat true (in my desperation for blog hits), I’m blogging to document my struggle to define my faith.

I’ve been struggling with my religion for a few years now. It all started at [an] Adventist University, of all places. I became burned out of religious programming – between going to vespers, worships, convocations, and performing for many church services, my religious life became routine. It got tiring and I lost sight of my religious sincerity.

I’ve never been much for individual Bible study or prayer. It seems like I become conveniently religious when I feel I most need God, and then go right back to being conveniently independent until the next life challenge presents itself.

This combination of religious situations in my life has led to my questioning everything, not just being a Seventh-day Adventist.

I am not really sure what I believe at this point. I am not satisfied with my current religious state. Church annoys me. Honestly, the entire SDA religion is getting on my nerves at this point.

I have decided to quit Adventism. This is not necessarily for good. I have some real issues with the church right now, such as: the reaffirming creation fiasco, the “holding pattern” or stalemate the religion is in waiting for Christ to return, how judgmental Adventists can be, hating homosexuals, and Ellen White’s status as a prophet/lesser light. This isn’t an exhaustive list, I’m sure there are more things I have problems with.

I am quitting Adventism to examine the Bible objectively. I know that will be relatively difficult to do now that I am familiar with religious doctrine, but the SDA church teaches “sola scriptura” and I think I’ll be fine deciphering the Bible at face value. I want to know what the Bible says and base my Christianity on those teachings. I want to learn the details of the stories by reading it on my own and not relying on what others teach me or what they add to the stories.

In my opinion, the heart of the life of a Christian is love. I think that is the simplest way to sum up the duty of a Christian – show love to God, others, and yourself. I think Adventism has lost sight of this.

I think we’ve lost sight of the true purpose of church. Now, much of this could be attributed to my attitude currently, but church annoys me. It’s a show, a routine, a series of steps one must go thru in order to complete the church service. I don’t know how others feel about this, but this is my opinion. I feel that church should be a time to study in small groups and really have a deep discussion by delving into the Word, and not necessarily a sermon. I feel we should be allowed to talk, sing, etc. as long as we want together. It is hard to connect to one another sitting silently in a pew.

I also feel we should use church to focus on ministering to others outside of our denomination. Take church time and go feed the homeless or do something else to show love to others. There is a fine balance, though, between focusing inwardly and outwardly.

One thing that’s always bothered me has been how Sabbath is supposed to be a day of rest, yet for some, it is the busiest and most stressful day of the week (pastors, etc.)

Back on topic.

I am quitting Adventism to define my spirituality by discovering what God teaches about being a Christian by reading his Word. I am quitting Adventism to discover if this church really is as consistent with scripture as it preaches. I am quitting Adventism to reconnect with God.

I am going to continue to attend my regular SDA church. I believe that you cannot be the body of Christ alone.

I want to know if Adventism really does have it together and if what SDAs believe is in line with what the Bible says. If, at the end of this, I find the two to be consistent, I will return to labeling myself as an Adventist. And if not, I am confident that God will lead.

So begins my journey of spiritual rediscovery.”

by Kasper Haughton, Jr.

Previously serving as a worship leader and youth pastor in the South Pacific and North American Division, Kasper Haughton, Jr. is currently a graduate student at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University.  You can view his blog and website links at about.me/kasperjr.

Young adults and those who minister with them are invited to IGNITION Summit 2011, a young adult ministry training event, slated for April 4-6, 2011 at the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX  76017, located conveniently just minutes from the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport [DFW].  Register today!

Based on the series Habitudes®: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes by Dr. Tim Elmore, this five-sensory leadership development training is a primary feature of the summit. It is an interactive training experience using images, video, music, interviews, small groups, games, dramatic sketches, and a personal debriefing time––equipping emerging leaders to be more effective. Habitudes is a ground-breaking way to teach leadership in a sticky fashion to emerging leaders.

Dr. Tim Elmore, the creator of the Habitudes series, is the founder and president of Growing Leaders, an Atlanta-based non-profit organization created to develop emerging leaders. Through Growing Leaders, he and his team provide public schools, state universities, civic organizations and corporations with the tools they need to help develop young leaders who can impact and transform society.  Elmore has worked alongside internationally recognized leadership expert Dr. John Maxwell for the past 25 years. According to Maxwell, “No one teaches leadership better than Tim Elmore.”

Elmore is among a powerful array of coaches to be featured at IGNITION focusing on young adult leadership development with experiences, training, worship, and intensives intended to equip and empower registrants.  IGNITION is sponsored by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists [NAD], and endorsed by the NAD Young Adult Ministry Advisory [YAMA].

Registration is $99.00 per person. Group rate for five (5) or more registering together is $75.00 per person.  For more information, follow http://ignitionblog.wordpress.com/