Rachel, 17, British Columbia, Canada: Yep, I’m involved in my church. For the 2005 year, I’ve been nominated and I have accepted the position of prayer coordinator. I have, since September, been teaching children’s Sabbath School, for anyone under the age of 16. Other than that, it is just little things, like learning how to make communion bread, and going to visit sick members and volunteering to call to let everyone know that the ABC truck is in town. I should point out though, that one of the reasons I have become so involved in my church is because it is so small. But I hope it helps whoever is asking. God bless!
Atalie, 11, New Jersey, United States: Well, all the grownups, some of them say that I and me friends can’t help until we’re baptized.
Rio, 15, England: Church is wack coz only old peepz runnin it. They only like their own style, which is old skool gospel, sayin church peepz can’t date, or go to the cinema’s, ect.
Chileshe, 27, Lusaka, Zambia: Yes, I am involved in my church. I am a music church chorister, leader or director of our singing group.
Mukumbi, 20, Lusaka, Zambia: I like to work for the Lord, not because I expect Him to bless me nor feel the rewards, but because He has said we should. Currently I am a P.A. operator and technician at our church. My prayer is that what I am doing will be an inspiration to others and inspire them to work for God.
Jonathan, 21, Tennessee United States: I am currently serving as a SM in Auckland New Zealand. So yes, I’m involved in my church. But personally, I feel that unless a church is committed to growing and is willing to focus on that, I see no reason to be an active part of it. Without a commitment to growth, not just of numbers but towards Christ, a church will become boring or at best, mere amusement for soon-to-be ex-Adventists.
Also, I feel that we should focus on getting people involved, but we have to motivate them to WANT to be involved, rather then just asking them to have them grudgingly do it. Begrudging “volunteers” need to be motivated or soon there is not “volunteer” at all.
Christina, 18, Oregon, United States: I am very much involved in my church and have gained such a blessing from the experience! We have a tiny church of no more than 30 people attending every Sabbath, but over the years I have been involved as a praise and worship chorister, pianist, organist, Pathfinder director, deaconess, church librarian, junior Sabbath school teacher, and social coordinator. God had blessed us greatly and I know he will continue to do so if we continue to work for him.
Samantha, 20, Caribbean: A youth in God's hand is like dynamite. It's not just finding something to occupy your time, it's because you have a passion to serve God. I am involved heavily in church, from education secretary to assistant youth teacher. There is no work as rewarding as working for Christ. He has been my passion since and even before baptism. It will be my passion until I die. “I press toward for the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"
Misheck, 29, Kabwe Central, Zambia: I would first congratulate the GC president for bringing this idea. I believe it will impact so much on the youth.I am actively involved in the church of God. I am currently serving as a church clerk, I sing in the church choir, youth singing band and a member of AY. Next year I will be serving as AY leader and as a deacon. I feel there is a stigma in some of our elders who feel being in the AY there is nothing one can offer. This is wrong because youths think fast and can be a driving force in the development of our church if rightly trained. We definitely require total support from our elders.
Saša, 22, Gütersloh, Deutschland: Yes! And I enjoy it a lot! I work mostly with the youth. The most exciting there is to train the youth-leader-team.
Peggy, 22, Lusaka, Zambia: Yes I am. I am in the youth prayer band and I am also an A.Y. member willing to do youth programs.
Jonathan, 18, Texas, United States: Yes, I have had special music at my church when I was in the church orchestra. Right now all I am doing is Pathfinders, but I am teaching some honors. It’s fun, it makes church more worthwhile, knowing you are helping other kids.
Suze, 25, Florida, United States: I am not involved in my church, but I want to do that everyday. I have not found youth my age that I could involve too. Most people in my church are old. Please, pray for me. I want to sing and do more in the church.
Adrian, 24, Entre Rios, Argentina: Yes, I am. This year was so great for me. I started to write songs for Christ. With my friends (we love to make music), we have a music group now. Every Sabbath we sing, I sing with one friend from Columbia and two girls from Germany. It’s great to sing with people from other countries. The music changed my life and we hope to have our first CD out in the next year.
Uche, 18, Ebonyi, Nigeria: I am so much involved in my church.
Franciane, 20, Province, France ( Martinique: Yes, I involved in my church! I participate in church’s activities
Randelle, 18, St. Kitts: I am actively involved in my church. I'm a Sabbath school secretary, I was a deaconess, but I wasn't re-elected for the new year, 2005. I'm also a chorister, an usher and a pathfinder counselor, and I served on both the large and nominating committees for the election of church officers for 2005.
I think it's important for us as youths to be involved in the church, I mean, we are the future of the church. We need to be trained now and get some practice and experience, otherwise when we're in charge, we'll have no idea what to do.
Also, youths are just as much a part of the church as are older persons and we need thus to take part in services, decision making etc.
Kareen, 25, NY, United States: I was heavily involved in church I had three positions at once Assistant AY leader, Music Coordinator, and I thought Primary Sabbath School. I was very over whelmed because I was working full time and going to school full time. So I took the yr off to visit other churches and meet other people my age (23 at the time)
Pablo, 23, Western Cape, South Africa: I love being involved and watch lives changed. I have been an elder, youth leader, ECT…It is de-motivating, though when one tries to do something positive and others look on and say “how nice” and then continue in their state of inactivity. Even worse, when others gossip when you are tying to serve God in the best way you know.
Rodney, 29, B.C. Canada: Yup, I am! I am one of the worship leaders in my church. It is so cool. I love to sing and play my guitar and I get to help lead the whole church! Very cool stuff people.
Zolton, 21, Ohio, United States: I've been very involved with my church since I got baptized, when I was 16. At one point in my life, it was hypocritical. I used to drink a lot, and I hid it from everyone, my friends and family. I didn't hide it from God though, I couldn't. I went through a huge stage of depression in my life, and decided to turn from drinking. Since then I haven't looked back, and have been serving God in any way possible. I'm an assistant youth leader at the Cleveland Hungarian Seventh-day Adventist Church and am organizing the first Hungarian Youth Conference next July with a group of my friends from around the country.
Salvador, 30, New Jersey, United States: Yes, in pathfinders. I just started, but I like to be involved with the kids. Keep putting in more information that we can use. Thanks. God bless and keep it up!
Lucas, 27, Rift Valley, Kenya: I am Lucas, double major student in Theology and B.Ed Guidance and Counseling in the University in Kenya. I am the coordinator of prayer activates in the university and evangelism work. Live as if Christ is coming today.
Kerrilynn, 20 , NSW, Australia: There is a new church starting in my area and I am helping out. It is aimed at young people, outsiders and the local community. It will be unlike the traditional church. I am really excited about the whole. God is really leading! Praise God!
Gowal, 19, Plateau, State, Nigeria: I’m involved in my church, as the youth Sabbath School teacher and a chorister to the glory of God. I think I’m enjoying it.
Adincia, 22, St Martin: I’m involved in my church. I believe that the youth can contribute in many ways to the church just by taking part. I’m very much involved in anything I am allowed to, the pathfinder club, the drum band, and both choirs at church. I share ideas in AY or Sabbath School programs. Whenever I am called to so something, I do it the best that I can because it is God calling.
Javits Jeyaraj Rajendran, 19, Yerevan, Armenia: Well I am an Indian Studying Medicine in Armenia, and I have attended the Adventist church here for the past one and a half year. I was elected as the Youth Director of the church. At first I was afraid of how would I be able to do it, as I my self was young. The youth here have never had any club, pathfinder classes or any other program until now. There are youth in the church older and younger to me, but then it has been a learning experience to teach and serve God, no matter your age
Phyllip Sam, 23, Philippines: I used to form part of the choir. Now the practices have dwindled and the choir members dwindled in terms of number. There used to be a number of young people attending the services. But sad to say, the group also suffered in terms to number. Although I would love to be part of the church program.
Elena, 19, New York, United States: I am currently an usher, a Pathfinder counselor, the assistant Sabbath School teacher for my youth class. I love worshipping the Lord by serving Him. I like to maintain my involvement in my church, enjoying the fellowship with my church family, and trying to be the best influence to my friends. It’s my church and it’s up to me and the rest of the members to keep it running. It has helped me grow spiritually and closer to God.
Emmanuel, 24, Kampala, Uganda: I am of the view that the youth segment of the church needs more attention in Uganda. With more literature specific to the adventurers and earlier teens to help them grow spiritually in this highly immoral world and the AIDS trauma in the sub-Saharan Africa. Can we really have a church resource center for the public to explore the truth as we got prime radio…may the Lord bless you.
Keome, 25, Georgetown/Port of Spain, Guyana/Trinidad: There is nothing one cannot achieve once their will is with Gods’.
Thabiso, 24 years, Gauteng, South Africa: Well I sometimes fell like we have dwelt too much on the past in terms of lessons study. I mean we have learnt so much about the old testament, I reckon we need probably topics or lessons that we will relate fast to them like the one we had last time it was about hope please help me on this one. Thank you God bless
Pynksanbor, 23, Megahalaya, India: I was given many changes and opportunities to take the lesson study and lead song services in my college. Now sometimes I feel lost because I just finished college. But God is good and He has given me chances to spread his love through songs with some of my friends from college, though we are a small group.
Camesha, 20, St. Michael, Barbados: Yes, I am involved. I am currently the Sabbath School Superintendent at my church and I am always willing to help out when I can.
Christina, 17, Oklahoma, United States: Well, I know that I am not active enough in my church. Our church is not that big, and we don't have many youth .
Ruth, 18, Philippines: I go to a non-Adventist college and since then, I have feared learning the ways of the world. I feared learning how to stay away from Jesus. So I decided to be more active in the ministry. In that way, I won’t have time to entertain other act ivies that would keep me away from Jesus. It is really good to be safe in the fold =)
Ebenezer, 22, Ashanti Region, Ghana: I'm really involved with my church. My church is Patasi S.D.A. church in the south Suntreso district in the Central Ghana Conference. I am the music directors as well as the church organist. Also, I am the assistant P.F. Director. I also get involved with all activities of the youth in my district and all music activities in the district and conference as a whole. I really love to serve the Lord in these ways since I'm a student and will not be able to go on crusade trips to preach the gospel to others who have not heard. So through these ways I am able to bring people to the love of God and to realize that God love them no matter who they are. He is ready to receive them if only the will receive him and confess their sins to him for he said if we confess He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse them from all unrighteousness.
Cherise, 18: Yes, I am one of the pianists at my church. I also help lead Sabbath School.
Lungisa, 19, Eastern Cape, South Africa: Yes I am involved. I am a preacher and an evangelist. I'm troubled and I can’t have a rest for I want to be a pastor some day.
Rodel, 27, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, Philippines: Yes I am, by joining different organizations and activities, of our local church and conference, specially in doing mission work to bring the light of the gospel to all people, who have not yet encountered the truth and the unconditional love of GOD.
Julius Chinenye, 20, Lagos State, Nigeria: Yes, I am involved in my church, because I participate and see into the affairs of my local church by making sure that every program from the G.C is totally implemented. I am also involved in my church by making sure that the last message is heard by everyone around the world
Teka-Ann, 23, California, United States: I was very involved in my home church in Jamaica. I was involved in youth ministry and Sabbath school. I am very good at planning, organizing, making things happen, and at public speaking. I was involved because the Lord has blessed me with talents and I use them for His work and His purpose and to enhance His ministry here on earth. It's pointless to have your talents and not use them for the Lord. We are workers in His vineyard. I’m in a new place now and just started going to a new church. Although I am not very involved now it is my desire to be.
Rea, 17, Tacarigua, Trinidad and Tobago: Yes, I’m involved in church. I attend all the functions of the church, chorister, do special music, started a singing group and any time the church asks me to do something once it is possible, I do it.
Ansah, 21, Eastern Region, Ghana: Yes, I was the prayer secretary and an active member of the A.Y.S. and help my youth class and plan activities. Also the Sabbath school coordinator in my class
Lawron, 15, Pennsylvania, United States: Yes I am. I am the only Youth Representative on my Church Board and a female at that. I'm 15 years old and I've already been to a conference Constituency Meeting. I love my religion and my church and I feel that my activity is a way of giving back for what it’s given to me.
Steffi, 16, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany: No, I’m not. It is, because I would like make devotion (Prayer) and the people in my teen group say "no that must make a sermonizer student". Or I make a suggestion, then they ignoring this. It’s not so easy.
Greidy, 25, Monagas, Venezuela: Yes, I’m making the best of me to following God's words and going to the church with passion.
Melanie, 23, Windhoek, Namibia: Yes, I am the church chorister as well as the Sabbath School superintendent. I am the recreations officer for the youth and a captain of one of the youth clubs.
Kaitlyn, 17, Alabama, United States: Yes, I help with my youth class and plan activities.