Last Saturday marked the 10th anniversary of Global Youth Day (GYD), an initiative launched by the Seventh-day Adventist Church on March 13, 2013, ‘with the support of GC Administration, the 13 Division youth directors, MENA Union and the Israel field’.
The vision of GYD is to engage and empower Adventist youth to go out and be the hands and feet of Christ, partaking in the great commission given to Christians by Jesus.
So what do the youth do on GYD?
Some youth groups organise service activities, to give back to the communities around them. Others take part in leading their local church program that Sabbath and others hold special youth rallies or gatherings.
Below is a look at what some of the youth groups in Australia got up to this GYD.
Victoria
Warrnambool SDA Youth
Warrnambool had 14 of their youth, ranging from the ages of 15 to 40 years old, come out to their local aged care facility, Lyndoch Living. There in the Swinton wing, they played their ukuleles/guitar and sang 12 songs, some choruses, and hymns, to the residents.
One of their fondest memories of their service there was: “Seeing memories being revived when some residents were singing along to the hymns. It was uplifting to be uplifting, as our presence and singing were bringing joy to their afternoon, it was a blessing to be able to do that!”
A bonus was that the nurse in charge was pleasantly surprised at how good this group of youth was, being as this was their first-ever performance together.
Werribee Youth
Werribee youth, also went out into their community. They handed out encouragement cards at Williamstown Beach and the Botanical Gardens. The group of about 9 youths ranging from the ages of 13 to 22 years old, had an arts and crafts day the weekend before to create their cards in preparation for GYD. Their highlight from the weekend was their devotion after their service, which was led by one of their youth on the topic of ‘what it means to love as a verb’.
Western Spanish Youth
The Western Spanish Youth had a grand group of 18 youth members. Who like the previous two groups went out to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They handed out free water bottles to the public at Sunshine station and plaza.
In addition, they had an activity for the public to partake in which involved a mirror in a box. When people looked inside the box they would see their reflection and the point of it was for them to know their true value and that they are loved. They also like Werribee youth handed out cards with motivational quotes.
One of their memorable moments was the shock on people’s faces when they told them they were giving out water for free, “it’s like they were surprised that in these times when everything is expensive we were giving out water, especially on a very hot”. Also, when people would look inside the mirror boxes “it was beautiful to see their smiles as they would see themselves, this was definitely the highlight of the day”.
Gilson Collge
The youth from Gilson College had a full program from the 17th to the 19th of March. Their Friday consisted of a vesper to open up the Sabbath, with the word shared by Dr. Mau Tuaoi on the topic of ‘Love is a verb’.
On the 18th they had church in the morning and worship service at night. This night also involved them packing goodie baskets to hand out the following day. Sunday morning was all about giving back to the community, the youth accompanied by their chaplains, went out to deliver their goodies baskets to the service providers and front-line workers in their area. After all the baskets were distributed they ended their GYD weekend with a BBQ at the Willows Historical Park.
Western Australia
Victoria Park SDA Youth
VicPark youth fellowshipped together on the 18th of March, as they held their first youth picnic of the year, at Burswood Park.
South Australia
Prospect Youth
The youth at Prospect SDA International Church held their first youth meeting and social for this year on GYD.
New South Wales
Sydney
The Greater Sydney Conference ran a youth rally and sports competition for their youth over the GYD weekend. The youth rally saw youth from all over the city come and worship together on Saturday, it was a packed house. The sports competition was a two-day event, starting after the Saturday night program, and continuing on Sunday.
Global Youth Day launched the official Youth Week of Prayer. The last day of YWP is this Saturday, 25th March.