Loving the Lord Jesus, I promise to take an active part in the youth ministry of the church, doing what I can to help others and to finish the work of the Gospel in all the world.
YOUNG ADULTS
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YOUNG ADULTS
CREATED BY YOUTH FOR YOUTH: MAKING DISCIPLES FROM ADOLESCENCE TO YOUNG ADULTS.
The story of the Adventist Youth Society, now titled Young Adults (YA), began over 125 years ago along a dusty country lane in Michigan with two young boys kneeling in prayer. Today that dusty lane has become a world-wide web of highways that links over 10 million Seventh-day Adventist young people in nearly every political entity on every continent of the globe. This story comes in every hue of the rainbow; it is filled with extremes of exhilaration and mountaintop experiences, as well as deep sadness and unfulfilled dreams. This is the story of God’s leading a fascinating army down through the battles of the great over arching conflict that is life as we know it now.
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YOUNG ADULTS
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AY MISSION
AY AIM
AY MOTTO
AY PLEDGE
OBJECTIVES
BIBLE STUDIES
AY MISSION
The salvation of youth through Jesus Christ. We understand youth ministry to be that work of the church that is conducted for, with, and by young people.
AY AIM
The Advent message to all the world in my generation.
AY MOTTO
The love of Christ compels me.
AY PLEDGE
OBJECTIVES
“To save from sin and guide into service:” this true and only motive, so complete and impressive, was adopted during the 1926 General Conference session. To obtain the salvation of the youth it is necessary to give them every possible opportunity to participate in all Adventist youth activities. By keeping youth actively preparing for more efficient service, they are protected from evil. It is necessary to place them in some activity as soon as they are ready. “Seeking the good of others is the way in which true happiness can be found” (Counsels on Stewardship, p. 24). The enemy will not prevail against youth who are actively engaged in the things of God.
That the youth may work for:
- Other youth
- Their church
- Their fellow men
This triple purpose that God has outlined for His youth is really the second part of the objective presented in a practical sense: “guide into service.” From the time youth missionary work first began, this triple purpose has been put into practice. The goal is to save each Adventist youth who faces the battle against sin, striving to rescue more and more souls for the kingdom of God. In 1947 the dynamic slogan “Share your Faith” brought new emphasis to soul-winning around the world.
That the youth may work for other youth. Educate the youth to help the youth; and in seeking to do this work each will gain experience that will qualify him to become a consecrated worker in a larger sphere” (Messages to Young People, p. 208).
“He [Satan] well knows that there is no other class that can do as much good as young men and young women who are consecrated to God. The youth, if right, could sway a mighty influence. Preachers or laymen advanced in years, cannot have one-half the influence upon the young that the youth, devoted to God, can have upon their associates” (Messages to Young People, p. 204).
“Young men and women, God calls upon you to work, work for Him… You can do a work that those who minister in word and doctrine cannot do. You can reach a class whom the minister cannot affect” (Messages to Young People, p. 207).
That the youth work for the church. The youth should work for the church, and for “those who profess to be Sabbath-keepers.” Faithfully attending the services of the church, the prayer meetings, and the missionary meetings; helping in the Sabbath School and in the AY Society, and participating in the missionary activities of the church, they encourage and strengthen the church. “Loyalty to Christ demands the faithful performance of church duties” (Education, p. 269).
“The church is languishing for the help of young men who will bear a courageous testimony, who will with their ardent zeal stir up the sluggish energies of God’s people, and so increase the power of the church in the world” (Message to Young People, p. 25).
The youth may work for youth not of the faith. “Time is short. Workers for Christ are needed everywhere. There should be one hundred earnest, faithful laborers in home and foreign mission fields where now there is one. The highways and the byways are yet un-worked” (Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 488).
There is need for those who would work from house to house. “The Lord calls upon our youth to labor as canvassers and evangelists, to do house-to-house work in places that have not yet heard the truth” (Messages to Young People, p. 220).
“The Lord calls for decided efforts to be put forth in places where the people know nothing of Bible truth. Singing and prayer and Bible readings are needed in the homes of the people” (Counsels to Teachers, p. 540).
“They [the youth] can form themselves into bands to do Christian help work… They will find many opportunities to use the talent that God has given them in carrying melody and sunshine into many lonely places darkened by sorrow and affliction, singing to those who seldom have church privileges” (Counsels to Teachers, p. 547).
Companies should be organized and thoroughly educated to work as nurses, gospel visitors, and Bible readers, as canvassers, ministers, and medical missionary evangelists” (Counsels to Teachers, p. 546).
The AY Society that keeps these three purposes in mind will become a dynamic and spiritual influence of the church, and this is what it should be. The success of every AY Society depends on the faithful fulfillment of these purposes and the way in which the members apply the spirit of the AY Pledge to their lives.
“When the youth give their hearts to God, our responsibility for them does not cease. They must be interested in the Lord’s work, and led to see that He expects them to do something to advance His cause. It is not enough to show how much needs to be done, and to urge the youth to act a part. They must be taught how to labor for the Master. They must be trained, disciplined, drilled, in the best methods of winning souls to Christ. Teach them to try in a quiet, unpretending way to help their young companions. Let different branches of missionary effort be systematically laid out, in which they may take part, and let them be given instruction and help. Thus they will learn to work for God” (Gospel Workers, p. 210).
BIBLE STUDIES
In all of history no one has been more masterful in changing lives than Jesus Christ. But how best can we know Him?
This site is dedicated to providing resources that will assist in the study of His Word, the Bible. A study of the Bible will help answer any questions you may have. It is also our hope that the material provided in this site will give you clearer insight into who God really is, His will for your life, and encouragement to explore the Bible on your own or share the experience with others. The Bible—changing you from the inside out! Click here for online Bible.
PRAYER TIME. HANGING OUT WITH GOD.
Personal spiritual growth is very important to making any ministry a success. Your ministry will grow as you grow. People will observe you and want to aspire to be closer to God because of the example you set by your lifestyle.
A prayer journal is an exciting way to experience God in a new and fresh way. It is also a great way of tracking your requests and God’s answers to your prayers. There are different ways to create your prayer journal. There is the electronic prayer journal where you store request on a computer. Then there is the prayer blogging, where you invite others to join your prayer group and you create a blogring. And, of course, there is the tried and true, more traditional way, a book./journal. In any case, whatever you chosse to do, just do a prayer journal. It will prove to be one of the best decisions you ever make.
SPEND TIME WITH GOD. SEEK HIS FACE.
Consider this:
But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he couldn’t get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob’s hip out of joint.
The man said, “Let me go; it’s daybreak.”
Jacob said, “I’m not letting you go ’til you bless me.”
The man said, “What’s your name?”
He answered, “Jacob.”
The man said, “But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it’s Israel (God-Wrestler); you’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through.”
Jacob asked, “And what’s your name?”
The man said, “Why do you want to know my name?” And then, right then and there, he blessed him.
Jacob named the place Peniel (God’s Face) because, he said, “I saw God face-to-face and lived to tell the story!”
Genesis 32:24-30 (The Message)
AY SILVER AWARD
AY GOLD STAR
AY SILVER AWARD
AY SILVER AWARD PLAN FOR PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL EXCELLENCE
CHALLENGE AND ACHIEVEMENT
The AY Silver Award is a prize worth striving for. It brings together core aspects of physical, mental, and spiritual vitality. It presents a clear plan and encourages young people to be well-rounded, fit individuals, by excelling in all three areas. By encouraging physical fitness, good health practices, life skills, and more, the AY Silver Award is an ideal way to develop strong character qualities, clear thinking, and keen spiritual perception that will prepare youth for life here and for eternity. Now, as never before, we need an army of youth rightly trained, to carry “the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Savior . . . to the whole world!” ( A Call to Stand Apart, p.67
I am pleased to endorse the AY Silver Award plan of the General Conference’s Youth Ministries Department and encourage our youth everywhere to strive for this high achievement.
Ted N.C. Wilson, President
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF ADVENTISTS
AY SILVER AWARD
Did you know that Daniel the prophet earned an AY Silver Award? OK, maybe not, but only because the award didn’t exist back then but Daniel definitely took care of his body was greatly rewarded for it. Despite the fact, he was daily temped to ruin his physical, spiritual and mental health with the king’s food and drink, but this young man determined in his heart to honor God instead, by treating his body like a temple! As a result, God blessed Daniel and his three friends to the point that they were ten times better looking and ten times smarter than the other young people! This Special AY Silver Award is a reminder that God still blessed young men and women who determine in His strength to honor God with their bodies.
Gary Blanchard, Director, Youth Ministries
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF ADVENTISTS Documents
AY GOLD STAR
AY GOLD AWARD PLAN FOR PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL EXCELLENCE
AY GOLD AWARD
The AY Gold Award is presented to Young Adults under 31 years of age who have completed the Silver Award and who have demonstrated exceptional qualities of physical, mental and cultural development.
Sponsored by the Youth Ministries Department, the plan gives Young Adults an opportunity to find satisfaction in worthwhile achievement. Membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church is not a prerequisite.
The sincere effort and perseverance required to qualify in the various activities will develop qualities of character much needed in today’s generation. The AY Gold Award recipient will be better prepared to take his place as a constructive member of his church and community.
In these last days of earth’s history, demands upon God’s people will become increasingly intense. Only those youth who have a firm foundation on the Word of God and have chosen a moral platform which reflects the purity of Jesus Christ will be able to withstand the withering attack upon Christian standards. Good health, clear thinking, and keenness of spiritual perception are closely linked together. The AY Gold Award has been introduced to give strength to these important elements of life. Youth who earn the AY Gold Award will be youth of true distinction.
TESTS, AWARDS, AND RECORDS
The conference/field or on each college or university campus an AY Gold Award committee shall be appointed by the AY/ Young Adult executive committee to direct the AY Gold Award plan. The union conference Youth Ministries Director is a member ex officio of this committee. This committee appoints a supervisor of testing and at least one qualified examiner for each category.
An accurate record of the candidate’s completion of each requirement is to be filed with the AY Gold Award Committee. This record must include (1) the date each requirement was completed, (2) score (where indicated), and (3) certification signature of a qualified examiner authorized by the AY Gold Award committee.
PRESENTATION
Application for the AY Gold Award to be presented to candidates who have completed their requirements is made to the union conference Youth Ministry Director. He will arrange for a special presentation ceremony when the award can be presented in an impressive way. Church and civic officials should be invited to the occasion. The presentation of the AY Gold Award should be the principle event on the program and should not be combined with a Pathfinder/Adventurer Investiture service.
The AY Gold Award medal and ribbon will be treasured by all who receive it. The name of the recipient should be etched on the reverse. (No AY Gold Awards should be presented which do not have this personalized inscription.)
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL!
Life is a precious gift, as is health. We all wish to be strong and healthy – especially when we admire the rippling, sculpted, and powerful muscles of the well-trained athlete. We may desire to be strong and agile, but desire is not enough. There must be the choice to get fit and to develop our total fitness and strength.
Successful living requires choices and the cultivation of healthy habits. It is necessary to give priority to the important and exclude or discard what will not contribute to success. This means we should have a plan and follow it. We need to budget and use our time wisely. We are multidimensional beings, created in the image of God. The AY Silver Award requires not only physical fitness, but mental, spiritual, and emotional wellness and wholeness (as wholistic beings). Each dimension of health must be carefully developed and nurtured, and sacredly guarded. We need to exercise, but we also need to rest. We need a balanced, nutritious diet, and lots of pure water. We must avoid harmful substances and behaviors, and live balanced lives.
As we strive to add speed to our strength and endurance to our agility, let us ever keep our eyes upon Jesus. As we feed on His Word, we will learn to know Him, and speak with Him as to a friend. He came in order that we may have life and live it to the full (John 10:10). In His strength, and by His Spirit, physical exercise, spiritual commitment, emotional stability, and mental sharpness can all come together in purpose, service, and a fulfilled life. The goals of the AY Silver Award Winners will thus be fully attained, and in turn, many others blessed by these lives of healthy service.
Peter Landless, M.D. Director, Health Ministries
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF ADVENTISTS