On March 15, 2025, thousands of young people around the world took part in Global Youth Day (GYD), a special annual initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that mobilizes youth to serve their local communities through acts of kindness, compassion, and faith-sharing.
This year’s theme, “Transformed Communities,” encouraged young people to follow the example of Jesus by meeting people’s practical needs before inviting them to follow Him.
Across Paraguay, Adventist youth left their churches and took to the streets with a message of hope. In dozens of cities, they organized health fairs, food and clothing drives, prayer initiatives, and outreach events—demonstrating their commitment to loving their neighbors through tangible service.
“We are very happy for the youth movement on their special day,” said Eduardo Neto, Youth Ministries director in Paraguay. “They left their churches to impact their communities by talking about well-being, health, family, purpose, and hope. They are always involved with church projects and dedicating themselves to God to reach more young people who need hope.”
Hope Along the Asunción Waterfront
In Asunción, Paraguay’s capital city, more than 150 young people gathered on the busy Costanera waterfront, a popular location that attracts hundreds daily. The youth began the day with a Sabbath closing meditation, then formed small groups to offer spiritual support and encouragement to passersby.
They prayed with people, distributed missionary books, and sang praise songs as a form of outreach. A free Christian book fair was also set up, allowing visitors to explore spiritual materials and connect with local church resources. As a result, several individuals expressed interest in learning more about the Adventist Church and were given directions to nearby congregations.
Serving in Paraguay’s Northern Cities
In Pedro Juan Caballero, near the Brazilian border, young Adventists organized a range of charitable activities.
“At a district meeting, the youth organized a clothing and footwear fair that cost 0 guaraníes, providing support to those most in need. They also delivered food, visited the Pedro Juan Caballero Regional Hospital, and provided companionship and support to nursing homes, sharing a message of love and hope,” said Patricia Barreto, one of the volunteers.
Health and Mission in Ciudad del Este
In Ciudad del Este, the One Year in Mission (OYIM) team joined forces with local youth to host a health fair at Kilometer 7. The event offered basic medical care and wellness information, while also creating space for community interaction and spiritual support. Plans are underway to establish a church at the same location, which would serve as both a spiritual center and a community hub for the area.
Sunset Outreach in the South
In Encarnación, located in the southern part of the country, Adventist youth gathered on the Encarnación waterfront for a district-wide meeting. After a sunset worship service, they handed out copies of the 2025 missionary book of the year, along with a sweet treat to brighten the day of those walking by.
A Day with a Purpose
Global Youth Day is more than a one-day event—it’s a global movement designed to equip and inspire Adventist youth to live out their faith through service. Its core mission reflects the example of Jesus, who met people’s physical and emotional needs before calling them to follow Him.
“Come, follow me,” was His invitation—and through their actions, young people across Paraguay responded by living out that call.
Each prayer, book, conversation, and act of kindness served a greater purpose: to plant seeds of hope and help communities begin to heal and grow. As Adventist youth reaffirmed their role as agents of change, they left behind more than smiles—they left lasting impact in the lives they touched.
Every small act of love leaves an eternal mark that transforms communities with the same spirit of service as Jesus.
The original article was published on the South American Division Spanish news site.
