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Youth Conferences Bursting Out!
Larry Kirkpatrick, August 10, 2004 (updated October 3).
A renewed vigor is gripping Seventh-day Adventist young people. For years, our youth have grown more and more nauseous at the slick and painfully transparent attempts to keep them in the Church through unsound methods. Christian “Rock-n-Roll” (there is no such thing, whether it is called CCM or whatever), theatrics and drama, competitive sports, and the long list of tired gospel gimmicks, do not attract. They repel. Many of the Lord's precious young people want to do serious work. They want to reach out in ministry, give Bible studies, teach present truth, evangelize, and move toward closure of the great controversy war. As Israel Ramos called out at the first youth conference meeting in 2002:
The sad news is that in a sincere effort to reach our youth, many of our messages have been watered down, our standards lowered, and our outcomes discouraging. The good news is that today, there exists an army of dedicated youth who yearn to show leadership like the wise and godly Nehemiah, integrity like steadfast and unmoving Daniel, the vision for evangelism like the powerful and passionate Paul, and the love for souls of our Savior towards young people and adults alike. For we are that army of young people on a mission to proclaim the three angels' message to the entire world in our generation (Israel Ramos, “General Youth Conference Opening Address,” December 18, 2002).
This army continues to marshall itself for battle at an ever accelerating pace. The energy after the first meeting was so great that in the 2003 annual meeting, break-out groups organized into regions and plans began to be made for regional meetings as well. The time has come to make people aware that three Youth Conferences are coming up soon, and you will want to attend!
The idea of Youth Conferences is to take advantage of changes in our situation that empower young people through communication, and enable them to more readily network together, to organize for service. This is something that Israel Ramos and the young people of GYC accomplished very well in the annual meetings of 2002 and 2003.
Separate from the General Youth Conference in structure, yet aligned in similar direction, are new regional Youth Conferences.
NorthWest Youth Conference
The NorthWest Youth Conference is meeting from Thursday, September 2 through Monday, September 6, in Anacortes, Washington. Main speakers include Theology Professor Dr. Ronald du Preez, Amazing Facts Revivalist Pr. Dennis Priebe, and Iona Research Institute Director Peter Gregory. You don't want to miss it! Click through to their website for detailed information.
Northeast Youth Conference
The Northeast Youth Conference holds its first meeting in September also, on the weekend of September 17-18, at Greater New York Conference's Camp Berkshire, located in Wingdale, New York. Speakers for this meeting include “Know Your Bible&rdquo Radio Ministry's Pr. Kevin D. Paulson, President of Greater New York Conference, Pr. Dionisio Olivo, President of GreatControversy.org and minister of the Mentone Church, Pr. Larry Kirkpatrick, and Ouachita Hills College Youth Revivalist Alistair Huong.
Consider Participating
Now is the time to arise and shine. Serious Adventists, God is calling you. Be on the cutting edge, and become involved in the phenomenon of Youth Conferences. You will be immeasurably encouraged. God's hand is still on the wheel. His truth is marching on. Jesus is coming and our day to follow the Lamb is here. Mark your calendars!
