There were about 500 of them. They were young, passionate and Christian. And they marched through the streets of downtown Atlanta, Georgia in the United States with drums and signs promoting a Christian lifestyle. “They” were Seventh-day Adventists ranging in age from 15 to 35 years old. They were also rallying against the chains of drug addiction, sexual promiscuity, family decline, spiritual decline, and drug addiction.

The April 22 parade was only one out of a series of events designed to motivate, inspire and challenge young people in North America. It was a part of the United Youth Congress, held from April 19 to 23, which is geared toward providing young Adventists with a unique learning experience through leadership development and education.

This was the eighth convention in United Youth Congress’ 30-year history. This year’s theme was “No More Chains.”

Claude Harris II, chairperson of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association (BAYDA), the parent organization of the United Youth Congress, and director of youth ministries for the Adventist church’s Allegheny East Conference explained the theme. He said “No More Chains” refers to things that can hold youth back from a full relationship with Christ.  Specifically targeted were the chains of sexual promiscuity, family decline, spiritual decline, drug abuse, and gangs.

“The purpose for the United Youth Congress is to increase awareness of the needs of youth within our community and to equip them with the tools to break the shackles that stifle their potential,” Harris added.

The United Youth Congress held every five years serves as focal point of BAYDA’s ministry. The mission of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association is to promote the spiritual, physical, academic, moral and cultural development of the youth of the North American region. BAYDA’s members include youth leaders of the regional conferences of North America as well as youth leaders in Southern, Southeastern, Central, and Northern California Conferences, North Pacific Union, Bermuda and Ontario Conferences.

Held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, organizer’s say that along with the 5,200 registered candidates more than 38,000 non-delegates gathered for the Sabbath services on April 23 with some estimates placing the number at more than 50,000.

“We are doing it for our youth who we feel really need an opportunity to not only learn more about Jesus Christ but to develop their characters. We believe that Jesus is coming soon and we want them to have them prepared for that,” said Harris.

This year’s Congress attracted attendees ranging in age from 15 to 35 and provided educational workshops, social interaction, spiritual speakers, and the opportunity to perform community service.

More than 30 workshops were held for participants on a wide variety of topics including single parenting, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS awareness, employment, family and spiritual decline, gangs, homelessness, community and financial empowerment and sexual promiscuity.

For Matthew Winslow from the Mountainside Church in Atlanta, Georgia, the best part of the Congress was the seminars.  “In the seminars, you understand what they’re talking about; it’s not like a boring sermon where you go to sleep,” he said.

At this year’s Congress, organizer’s intentionally planned outreach projects into the Atlanta community to build on what the youth were learning in the seminars.  A total of 14 projects ranging from feeding the homeless to constructing a beautiful outdoor garden complete with a mural at a local nursing home gave youth the opportunity to put their faith into action.

“This is so important,” said Deborah Drain, who coordinated the outreach projects.  “We need to teach our young people that it’s not just about us individually but that it’s about helping. So if we come here and learn to volunteer hopefully they’ll go home and do the same thing.”

The Congress ended with a Mega Gospel and Concert Choir Festival. Adventist youth choirs from Dallas, Texas, Berrien Springs and Detroit, Michigan won cash prizes for their performances.
From East to West, North to South, youth directors from around North America said the United Youth Congress changed lives.

19-year old Oakwood College student Johnwilly Osuji said the speakers were powerful.  “I learned a lot, about my responsibilities as a youth, as a Christian, as a Seventh-day Adventist, all those things,” said Osuji.  “It reminded [me] that there are some things that I need to be taking care [of] as a youth.”

Following the parade and rally 30 young people were baptized into the Adventist church.