Quinta da Boa Vista, one of the Rio de Janeiro's most well-known public spaces, hosted a large gathering of Seventh-day Adventist youth on March 21, 2026, as approximately 7,000 young people came together to mark Global Youth Day.

The event, organized jointly by the Rio de Janeiro, Rio Fluminense, and South Rio conferences of the Adventist Church, brought together youth from across the state for a program that included music, prayer, and spiritual reflection.

Organizers said the gathering also marked the return of large-scale youth events in the region after several years without a mobilization of this size.

“Our dream was to bring back the strength of Rio de Janeiro's youth. That's why we decided to bring together the three Associations and hold this great gathering here to celebrate Global Youth Day. And it truly was a success, to the honor and glory of God,” stated Maicon Galantini, youth director of the South Rio Conference.

Emphasis on unity and mission

For the organizers, the event had a meaning that goes beyond the numbers.

“The impact we hope to generate on Global Youth Day is the unity of all these young people to carry out the mission and truly prepare to see Jesus return,” highlighted Anderson Carneiro, youth director of the Rio de Janeiro Conference.

He also celebrated the positive outcome of a day that required months of planning.

“We saw a crowd of over seven thousand young people praising the name of God. This fills our hearts with gratitude and praise to God for a powerful youth, saved in the presence of God,” he added.

"My Place in the World"

The theme of this year's Global Youth Day, "My Place in the World," took on special significance in Rio de Janeiro.

For Ricardo Alves, youth director of the Rio Fluminense Conference, the theme is a clear call.

"When we think about the theme 'My Place in the World,' it even has a prominent 'M' in our logo, because this 'M' relates to mission, which is the youth theme for 2026. This theme means that young people need to be on mission. Their place is on mission," he pointed out.

Alves explained that the world offers many opportunities for young people, but Adventist youth have a different calling.

“We understand that the place for Adventist youth is in mission work. If their hearts are focused on mission work, they will be in the right place," he said.

Strength in community

Leaders emphasized the importance of gathering young people from different congregations in a shared space.

“Sometimes we have a young person who is the only young person in their church. But when they see a movement like this, they feel part of something much bigger. They feel part of something that really makes sense to them,” explained Alves.

For him, holding the meeting at Quinta da Boa Vista also had a missionary purpose.

“This movement taking place in a public space is so that young people can tell the people around them—in the community, at school, on their street, wherever—that they truly have a message to announce, that they have something to say to people around the world: that Jesus is coming back,” he said.

Four pillars of a generation

Alves further detailed the event's structure, based on four fundamental pillars: mission, relationships, spiritual nourishment, and celebration. "The three of us, the three department directors, got together and thought about organizing a joint event so that young people can focus on mission, relationships—which is extremely important and crucial for their lives—so they can nourish themselves spiritually, and so they can worship and celebrate," he explained.

“God has been very good to us, it was a special day, the day is beautiful, our young people came, they embraced the idea and the outcome is highly positive. We leave here with our hearts full of gratitude, happiness and especially gratitude to God for allowing us to experience such special moments as this,” added Pastor Maicon Galantini.

A call to commitment

José Venefrides, youth director for Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, and Minas Gerais, emphasized the purpose of the gathering for the thousands present.

“It’s important that we celebrate with young people so they understand a few things. The first is that their church cares about them. The second is that they take advantage of the opportunity to make a deeper connection with God, renew their commitment. It’s also an opportunity for them to see old friends, make new friends, but it’s also an opportunity for them to be challenged,” he said.

"God doesn't just want servants. Some see Jesus only as a savior, they never saw Jesus as Lord of their lives. And the moment a young person understands that Jesus is Lord of their life, then nothing else belongs to them anymore. Their agenda is not their agenda, it is His agenda. Time is not their time, it is His time. Their body is not their body, it is His body," he emphasized.

Participant reflections

For those who participated, the event was memorable. Veterinarian Kessia Carvalho, communications director in Tanguá, summed up the feeling.

“Being a young Adventist means being different, it means leaving a mark on the world. You don't need to say it, people recognize it when you live it. And having the opportunity to be with brothers and sisters of the same religion, from all over the state…”, Kessia Carvalho, a participant from Tanguá.

"My place in the world is where God is. God is with me. If I can spread His message, whether in the square, on a bench, or in a gym, then I can make a difference where I am. My place in the world is where God tells me to go," she added.

About Global Youth Day

Global Youth Day is an annual initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that encourages young people worldwide to participate in community service and outreach activities. The program is held simultaneously in multiple countries and aims to promote faith through practical service.

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