Young adult leaders, local pastors, and church members gathered October 24–25, 2025, at the Raleigh ARC recreation center for a Young Adult LIFE Tour stop hosted by the Southern Union Conference and supported by the Carolina Conference. Organizers said the weekend focused on strengthening young adult ministry at the local church level through worship, discussion, and practical training.

“In my life, so many distractions had arisen that kept me from a relationship with Jesus, blinding me to what I was missing,” confessed Andrew de Jesus, a third-year neurology medical resident from the University of Tennessee. “At the Young Adult LIFE Tour, Jesus spoke to me and helped me to see the hidden motivators in my life that were keeping me from Him and from even noticing that I had drifted away. Through the tour experience, Jesus drew me back into a daily walk with Him.”

Organizers said the Raleigh program included panel discussions, spiritual reflections, and informal opportunities for conversation, including fellowship time around a bonfire. Several attendees described the event as timely and helpful for leadership development.

“I didn’t even realize how much I needed this,” said Stesha Rampersad, a director of nursing and Sabbath School leader at Pursuit Worship Church in Charlotte, NC. “It taught me a lot about myself as a leader, but also how to empower other young adults to step up and serve.”

Jordan Davis, a student at Union Adventist University and young adult leader at Calhoun Church in Georgia, said the Young Adult LIFE Tour helped him see how God is actively working in young adults’ lives.

“It was a blessing to be on the panel, make new friends, and learn more about how God leads us,” he shared.

The gathering brought together a diverse mix of backgrounds and church experiences. For Emmanuella Goureige, an OT technician and vice president of the South Atlantic Conference Haitian Adventist Youth Federation, seeing other young adult leaders in action was especially meaningful. “It was a joy to be part of something where I could learn from others and also see God’s work in different communities,” she said.

The Raleigh stop was among the concluding events in a multi-year Young Adult LIFE Tour initiative launched by North American Division (NAD) Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Organizers said the tour was developed to support churches seeking practical ways to begin or expand ministry with young adults, built around four priorities: Leadership Impact, Intergenerational Relationships, Faith Development, and Everyday Compassion.

“The joyful atmosphere of all who were there demonstrated a sincere desire for community and connection to the family of God,” said Leslie Louis, president of the Carolina Conference. “It was a special blessing.”

“In young adult ministry, it is super important that we continue to innovate forward and not just continue doing what we have been doing,” said Tracy Wood, D.Min., NAD Youth and Young Adult Ministries director. “We must keep pushing outward beyond our natural limits to connect with young adults in ways that will speak their language and connect in their world.”

“It was a great time to meet other leaders and share about our ministries,” said panelist Samar Ojha, a data analyst and young adult leader at the Raleigh Church, noting he wished there had been even more time for collaboration.

Raleigh Pastor Ross Knight shared, “It was a blessing to see so many young adults gathered for the purpose of learning best practices in young adult ministry,” he said. “My prayer is that they take what they’ve learned and use it in their home churches.”

Organizers noted that a new division-wide gathering—the Young Adult LIFE Experience—is scheduled for January 23–25, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky, bringing together young adults, ministry teams, and mentors for worship, training, and community.

“Walking hand-in-hand with Jesus is what we are all called to,” affirmed Andrew. “Through the Young Adult LIFE [tour] experience, Jesus drew me back into a daily walk with Him, and I highly encourage everyone to attend with an open heart.”

Young Adult LIFE Experience (YALX) will gather from January 23 to 25, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, to invite Adventist leaders and their young adults to envision mission and experience discipleship together. Sponsored by North American Division Youth and Young Adult Ministries, registration is free for Adventist leaders (i.e. pastors, teachers, elders, directors, administrators) and young adults who sense the calling of leadership.

Registration and information available at youngadultlife.com. The original article was published on the North American Division news site.