The BRB Mané Garricha Arena, in Brasília, Brazil, is hosting the largest event for young leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the world. With the theme “Maranatha,” the Youth Ministry Leaders’ Convention is a movement that celebrates, inspires, motivates, and empowers youth leaders to develop a process of integral growth in each participant. The idea is for the public to have a unique experience with God and others in a multicultural environment. 

The word Maranatha has Aramaic origins and means "Lord, come". For Seventh-day Adventists, it is an expression of the hope that guides the mission of the Church: the return of Jesus.

From May 29th to June 1st, 2024, the is set to welcome 20,000 young people from eight South American countries: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Guests representing countries such as Mexico, Dominican Republic, Russia, Canada, Spain, Philippines, and Lebanon, among others, will also participate.

Schedule 

The event features 38 hours of in-person programming, eight hours of live podcasting, and more than 12 hours of live broadcasting of the arena's programming.

To receive all participants, a structure with 18 thousand tents in an area of 36 thousand square meters was prepared for a camp. During the event, around 40 tons of food will be prepared in the two restaurants that will serve it, more than 50 thousand meals per day.

Seminars and Workshops

The semi-plenaries will take place in the stadium's central arena. The themes aim to inspire young people in the mission and discuss the Youth Ministry's new discipleship plan in South America. In addition, more than 20 workshop options will be available, covering topics such as volunteering, social networks, urban ministries, music and new generations, mental health, and creativity.

Expoleader

Participants will have access to space for visiting stands, a mission and project fair, stages with short lectures, exchanging ideas, and networking. The various activities created will provide the public with an immersive experience and young people will be able to visit and learn about the work of Rede Novo Tempo de Comunicação , Museu de Arqueologia Biblico (MAB UNASP) , Superbom , Serviços Voluntário Adventista (SVA) , ADRA Brasil , Peru Project , and others.

Maranatha

Preparations for the youth convention began two years ago, and the idea is to consolidate the vision of leadership with the Youth Ministry through capacity building and training of leaders, promote integration with opportunities for growth and exchange, and launch the youth discipleship action plan (2025 to 2030) across South America. More than 700 participants will officially take over as youth leaders after meeting the requirements and competencies of the Leadership Development Program (PDL JA). The new leaders will participate in an admission ceremony called investiture.

“We want young people to understand their purpose and call to discipleship so they can move forward with the gifts and talents that each one received from God and thus carry the message that the Lord is coming soon”, highlighted Carlos Campitelli, Youth director for the South American Division. 

The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese website.