On a continent where 75 to 80 percent of Seventh-day Adventist church membership is under 30 years of age, a youth conference was held for youth leaders Jan. 31 to Feb. 5 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Baraka Muganda, youth ministries director for the world church, said holding such a conference, which attracted some 200 youth pastors, directors, leaders and those interested in youth work, was “very important.”

Some topics discussed included: the philosophy of Adventist youth ministry, how to empower young people, health and the spread of AIDS, and the structure of youth ministry. The conference also offered certification in youth ministries.

Muganda said one thing he wanted youth leaders in South Africa to know is that it is okay to challenge young people to become Bible-based Christians.

“A strong youth ministry is not about babysitting and entertaining young people,” he said. “We’ve got to create opportunities for them to participate in the mission of the church.” 

Muganda said he made it clear in his nightly messages that youth leaders who try to keep young people in the church solely by entertaining them will lose them. “[Young people] come to church because they are tired of what is out there,” he said.

The key is to challenge them, Muganda explained: “You have to challenge young people to read the Bible. Challenge them to witness. Challenge them to pray. Challenge them to stand up in the last days for Jesus Christ. And challenge them to develop Christian principles.”

The Adventist church in South Africa has more than 95,000 members.