Some 2,500 young people joined in a mega Sabbath worship program at Montemorelos University Church in Mexico via the Internet. And many more viewed the program as it was broadcast live on Adventist Television Networks' Esperanza TV and Nuevo Tiempo, as we
Some 2,500 young people joined in a mega Sabbath worship program at Montemorelos University Church in Mexico via the Internet. And many more viewed the program as it was broadcast live on Adventist Television Networks’ Esperanza TV and Nuevo Tiempo, as well as A.D.venir Network. At the church alone there were 2,000 gathered.
The May 6 event, coined by organizers as “Mega Youth Sabbath,” focused on instilling in the young people of Inter-America a stronger commitment to the mission of the church and their communities.
The five-hour program featured appeals, prayers, musical numbers, a drama performance all presented by students of the university and a baptism. Speakers encouraged young Adventists to become actively involved in church life.
“Do something,” urged Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the global Seventh-day Adventist Church. “I want you who are young to be involved in the life of the church, become involved, do not become an observer in the church. Come in.”
Pastor Paulsen reminded young people that, just like them, the Christian movement has always been led by youth from the time of Christ’s disciples until the early pioneers in the church. Pastor Paulsen also challenged the young assembly to try a closer walk with Jesus.
“Please make Jesus Christ part of your plans for the future,” he said. “If you want to have a future, a good future, He must be a partner in your life.”
The event was the brainchild of Pastor Bernardo Rodriguez, youth ministries director for the church in Inter-America. He thanked church leaders throughout the territory who embraced the idea of the first Mega Youth Sabbath. The program is part of a larger strategic plan of the Youth Ministries department to use technology to empower the young people of Inter-America.
“Our vision is for a happy youth sure of their salvation in Christ Jesus,” said Pastor Rodriguez. “We hope that during this quinquennium we can enter into a permanent service to the community, and we hope that each Adventist young person can be a follower of Christ through service.”
The afternoon program included live interviews with Adventist leaders who answered questions about the initiatives, incentives, and resources available for young people throughout Inter-America during the coming years.
During an interview with Pastor Israel Leito, president for the church in Inter-America, he said the key to youth being involved in the mission of the church is to lead a Christian life.
“We should remember that the life of a Christian is the most important part,” he said. “It is the most important element that we have at hand to share with the world, the way that we live and the youth that live the life of Christ in their university, at work, in the train, bus, just living that life, giving testimony is an essential element to [going] forward.”
“Young people should not feel that they do not have anything to contribute,” Pastor Leito continued. “The church is open so they can contribute with what they have for the advancement of the mission of the church.”
“Our young people are obsessed with sports, technology and other things,” said Pastor Rodriguez, “so we have come up with the five-year theme of Obsessed with Jesus: Experience Him and Share Him.”
Part of the Obsessed with Jesus theme is to involve as many of the more than 1.5 million young Adventists of Inter-America in evangelistic efforts. The goal is for each to bring at least one person to know Jesus.
The live event included a live Internet chat room with dozens of users who also sent in their comments and questions. The program was viewed in more than 20 countries.
Pastor Rodriguez says a second Mega Youth Sabbath is planned for next year during the Inter-America Youth Congress to be held in Medellin, Colombia. The event promises to gather 5,000 youth leaders from the territory for training programs and community service activities throughout the city.