on Youth Spirituality Revival

Seven years ago, a group of students in Boston decided to take an initiative, consulted with pastors who cared to see the youth movement thrive; they initiated the “General Youth Conference” (GYC).

London youth, mostly students from the University of Western Ontario, had been attending these conferences for the past 4 years.  I had a privilege of going to Minneapolis two years ago, taking Stepan, and his spirituality has never been the same.  At that time we did not even “risk” to ask for a church sponsorship action on the initiative.  I communicated the importance of this effort, because it was perceived as “divisive” and “opposing” the “official” structure of “not-happening” youth ministry. 

This year another group of students and youth from London are away from their families for the New Year, spending December 30 – January 3^rd all the way in Louisville, Kentucky, at their own expense, without church sponsorship, just because they want to stay connected with the movement rising within the Adventist Church for greater spirituality among youth!

Earlier this year a Canadian branch was opened as ECYC, meeting in Markham at the end of August.  The Adventist Review chief editor Bill Knott ran an editorial article about this event in the December 24^th edition, starting with these words: “Call it a movement. Call it a “confederation of possibilities.” Call it a Spirit-inspired meeting of minds and hearts. Or just call it GYC—Generation of Youth for Christ. The eight-year-old young adult organization has grown from a handful of idealistic college students to a powerful force for Bible study, evangelism, and mission service in the life of North American Adventism—and now around the world.”

Some of you had been watching the Live broadcasts for a few days from this Conference.  Tonight GYC is on 3ABN live at 6 pm.  If you do not have the “church dish” show up at home of those who do.  Or just come over to pastor’s home – we’ll have pop-corn, and connect with what God is doing among our youth. Then go on-line, and check their website for archived sermons from previous years.  You will be blessed!