It’s Global Youth Day Week of Prayer! Young people all across are excitedly organizing how they could once more significantly influence the lives of others through this initiative. The theme this year encourages every church member to be an inspiration in their own field of influence. By small acts of compassion, we can have a long-lasting effect and remind our localities of who Jesus is.
Those joining Global Youth Day for the first time have a lot to catch up on! These ten important facts will allow you to grasp the core of this worldwide movement and support your understanding of this greatly awaited annual mission.
1. Global Youth Day, which started in 2013, seeks to underline Adventist young people as a vibrant movement actively involved in service. Through deeds of kindness, it enables young people to share the everlasting gospel, therefore reflecting Christ's love and readying the earth for His soon return.
2. Global Youth Day (GYD) encourages young individuals to embody Jesus by stepping out of the church pews and into their local communities. Young people are expected to be the sermon by actively performing acts of kindness and service.
3. GYD is a worldwide event bringing together millions of Adventist young people from many nations, cultures, and background. This is not a local event. Under one goal, it brings young people together to reflect the love of Jesus via service.
4. Though GYD occurs once a year, its influence goes much beyond one day. Serving is only one aspect; another is inspiring a way of life marked by ongoing mission activity. Many activities starting on GYD become long-term community service programs.
5. There are many ways to get involved—from planning blood donation campaigns to feeding the homeless to visiting the sick and elderly to maintaining public areas clean and tidy. Little deeds of compassion as well as larger ones help to share God's love.
6. GYD has used digital channels from its inception to convey the love and compassion message. By means of approved hashtags #GYD, participants are urged to share their experiences via images, films, and live streaming, so inspiring others and generating a global ripple effect.
7. One of the most lovely features of GYD is witnessing young Adventists from many backgrounds serving side by side. It reminds us that Christ's mission cuts across language, color, and country.
8. Jesus stayed on Earth tending to others, curing the sick, feeding the hungry, and giving the brokenhearted hope. GYD presents a chance for young people to share His love in useful ways and follow His example.
9. Supported by church leaders all across the globe, Global Youth Day is an endeavor headed by the General Conference Youth Ministries Department. The Seventh-day Adventist Church's aim is to equip and empower young people for service; hence, it is a natural part of things.
10. Although GYD is a wonderful celebration, young people should help their communities at other times as well. GYD is really about motivating a daily lifestyle of compassion, kindness, and purpose.
How You Could Get Involved
Here are some steps to get ready should one like to participate in this worldwide project:
• Pray for direction; ask God to let your heart and intellect open to perceive the needs all around.
• Ask for information from your local young leader. Get involved and search for announcements of forthcoming Global Youth Day events and activities for your church. Plan significant events by working with your neighborhood church or youth organization.
• Invite others to help you to change the world: friends, classmates, or relatives.
• Document and share! Show people the value of small deeds of kindness using social media.
Global Youth Day is a movement, not only a celebration. It's an invitation to remind the world of who Jesus is and live the gospel. Whether your acts are simple compassion to a stranger, consoling the lonely, or feeding the needy, keep in mind that they can transform life.
Are you therefore prepared to bring about change in your local area?