Over 1,700 Seventh-day Adventist young people from across Panama met for the church’s first nationwide youth congress to pause, examine their spiritual lives, and jumpstart their relationships with Jesus. Dozens of youth from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia also attended the three-day event in Panama City, Panama, on August 18–20, 2023.

“You are here to make the most of the experience that this congress provides, to learn more about Jesus and connect with other youth from all over the country and beyond,” said Pastor Jose De Gracia, president of the Panama Union. The congress, themed “Jumpstarting,” had been planned ever since the union was organized in 2015, but the event was delayed when the pandemic hit, he said.

Jumpstarting a Connection with Jesus

Jumpstarting a life with Jesus is just what church leaders had in mind when assembling so many youth to the congress, said Pastor Misael González, Youth Ministries director for the Panama Union and main organizer of the congress. “Young people were looking forward to this event—an event that was meant to train, encourage, and motivate young people to embrace the mission of the church with their skills, talents, and spiritual gifts in service to God and their community,” said González. The congress also provided biblical principles they can apply to their lives to deepen their commitment to Jesus and His church, he said.

Young people took part in general sessions and seminars on mental health, leadership development, digital discipling, youth society leadership, Bible journaling, mission service, lettering, and more; they also engaged in prayer sessions, special concerts, and community impact activities.

“Our young people were 100-percent engaged in every part of the event,” said González. Young people were eager to donate blood to save lives for dozens of people, distribute food, share literature, prayers, and hugs with people across plazas, streets, and communities, among other activities, he added. The congress also saw hundreds of young people take part in a 5K walk throughout the city early on Sunday before the morning sessions took place on August 20.

The Past Remains in the Past

Keynote speaker Pastor Arnaldo Cruz, of the Southeastern Conference (Florida), urged young people to wake up from spiritual death to a life with Jesus. “Whatever happened in your life, it’s in the past,” said Cruz. “Jesus wants to slow down ‘your funeral’ and jumpstart your life in Him. No one can minimize what God is doing and can do for you.”

Pastor Andres Peralta, associate Youth Ministries director of the General Conference, encouraged young people to cling to Jesus as they navigate through the challenges they face. “Jesus can give you peace during the storms that you are facing,” said Peralta. He also encouraged young people to fill their lives with the Word of God so they can better fulfill the mission of sharing the Gospel as they lead youth society meetings, community impact events, and other youth gatherings.

In addition, Primera Fe, a musical group from Chile, sang and led praise and worship during the youth congress.

Blessing Other Young People

For Tanysha Grenald, getting to the congress was not easy. She traveled by boat from Bocas del Toro at the southern tip of Colón Island in northern Panama, then rode in a car for nine hours to get to the youth event. “Getting here was a challenge because we had to raise funds to get here, but thanks to God, it has been an unforgettable experience and a true jumpstart for my spiritual life,” said Grenald. “I came here not wanting to miss anything, with a heart willing to be moved by the Holy Spirit, and had an exceptional experience with greater conviction to help and care for young people who are the most vulnerable—who feel judged and sometimes rejected.”

Commitment, friendship, and restoration were some of the key things Eira Rivas took from the youth congress. She traveled from the western part of Panama and basked in the packed activities that helped her meet other young people from across her home country and beyond. “This to me has meant a new beginning and has helped me understand that when we work for God, we are working for the greatest Boss, and it doesn’t matter how much we have stumbled on our journey. God is always ready to help us to overcome any challenge,” said Rivas. “God lifts you up every day, and it’s not just here that we can jumpstart our lives, but every day, we can jumpstart with Him.”

Young people spread messages of hope at traffic lights in the city, held musical concerts across malls and plazas, spread cheer, and shared acts of kindness.

The youth congress and its activities were covered by national television, radio, and print media in Panama.

Deepening a Connection with God

Eight young people, representing each of the conferences and missions across Panama, were baptized, adding to the dozens more who were baptized after hundreds of youth evangelism campaigns were held in local churches and congregations two weeks prior to the congress, said González. “This [congress] has been incredible. We were able to see the hand of God moving in the lives of young people. Their commitment to God and their responsibilities in the church and the mission were very visible.”

Church leaders in Panama are already setting their sights on the next youth congress to take place in 2025, González said. “Our church has more than 10,000 active young people, and we want [to] be able to welcome more than double the youth congress delegation we had.”

Tomas Hils contributed information for this article.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division website.