2020 So Far . . .

At this point each year, we like to review where we have been as we pray and plan for where we are going. At this exceptional point in history, January feels like it was about five years ago. <G> Notwithstanding the challenges of the past quarter, I look back over 2020 and am reminded of GOD's goodness to Younger Generation Church, the vibrant young adult ministry of our church; In particular the dreams and passions of our members who help us all deepen our devotion to Christ Jesus.

IT STARTED WITH AN IDEA One of our YG social coordinators, Kelsey Guerrero, last year felt an impression that she needed to "do something" to help those in need. From those initial promptings and with Kelsey's leadership, our whole church found its… — **IT STARTED WITH AN IDEA**
One of our YG social coordinators, **Kelsey Guerrero**, last year felt an impression that she needed to "do something" to help those in need. From those initial promptings and with Kelsey's leadership, our whole church found itself immersed in World Vision's CHOSEN initiative, being one of the first Adventist churches to partner with a village in Zambia affording hundreds of children to choose our members as sponsors for education, nutrition, and discipleship. Kelsey's idea sent her to the other side of the world to meet, Joyce, the child who chose her and to represent Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church with our new found loved ones in Africa.

When the pandemic was declared, the situation of the food insecure in our community became one of many ways Revive Community Care needed to adapt and meet the needs of our neighbors. Our awesome members, including Kelsey, jumped into the fray to hel… — When the pandemic was declared, the situation of the food insecure in our community became one of many ways Revive Community Care needed to adapt and meet the needs of our neighbors. Our awesome members, including Kelsey, jumped into the fray to help us care for double the amount of families we had typically served with our food pantry.
Being a good neighbor here in the DFW Metroplex or across the world in Zambia, Kelsey is one of many of our YGers who are inspiring those around us with the hope of grace.

TELLING THE DEVIL, "NOT TODAY." Seth Wallack was among the over 60 Burton Adventist Academy missionaries who nearly got stranded in Peru as the worldwide pandemic had governments shutting down their borders. With literally minutes to spare, he and … — TELLING THE DEVIL, "NOT TODAY."
Seth Wallack was among the over 60 Burton Adventist Academy missionaries who nearly got stranded in Peru as the worldwide pandemic had governments shutting down their borders. With literally minutes to spare, he and his classmates saw GOD work a miracle on their behalf. But Seth's service for GOD transcends short term mission trips as important as those may be.

When the pandemic hit the United States, many of our churches closed their in-person worship services with no other means to meet the ministry needs of their members.  Thanks to our media ministry which has been serving Arlington Seventh-day Ad… — When the pandemic hit the United States, many of our churches closed their in-person worship services with no other means to meet the ministry needs of their members. Thanks to our media ministry which has been serving Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church for over a decade, we easily and swiftly shifted to exclusively online ministries. Seth is among a great group of volunteers have have faithfully served throughout the pandemic affording thousands of viewers around the world access to our worship experiences. Pandemic? No problem.

But Seth's pursuits to serve don't stop with being behind the scenes of our worship services. He's been willing and faithful to participate as a guitarist in not only Younger Generation Church but also in our Mosaic worship experiences. His passion … — But Seth's pursuits to serve don't stop with being behind the scenes of our worship services. He's been willing and faithful to participate as a guitarist in not only Younger Generation Church but also in our Mosaic worship experiences. His passion to serve GOD is hard to contain, and his being a high school student hasn't impeded his influence. Recently Seth was invited to be part of YG's LEADteam. Any wondering as to his response? <G> Clearly Seth is adamant about worship, pursuing intimacy with GOD whether at BAA, in Peru, or through our church. Any chance of stopping Seth? Not today.

BEING YG While at Union College, Chrissy Gaban along with other YG young adults developed "The Well Worship," fostering a YG-esque discipleship experience at the College View Seventh-day Adventist Church. She has served "The Well" as financial dire… — **BEING YG**
While at Union College, **Chrissy Gaban** along with other YG young adults developed "The Well Worship," fostering a YG-esque discipleship experience at the College View Seventh-day Adventist Church. She has served "The Well" as financial director and most recently as their director this past year. Graduating this Summer, she has returned to YG and jumped in to involvement including helping with the 2020 Grad Party, and being part of our Pivot panel this week. We're delighted to have her join our YG LEADteam, while she pursues her MBA. Chrissy will be involved in innovating community-building and hospitality for YG. Whether in Nebraska or Texas, we love that Chrissy is consistently "being YG."

EVERY MEMBER A MENTOR She may be petite, but that doesn't hold back Princess Demiar's powerful influence. You've likely been blessed by her energetic worship leading in YG, but you may not know she and her brother Michael also musically serve a var… — **EVERY MEMBER A MENTOR**
She may be petite, but that doesn't hold back **Princess Demiar's** powerful influence. You've likely been blessed by her energetic worship leading in YG, but you may not know she and her brother Michael also musically serve a variety of DFW protestant churches when they are not at the helm here at our church.

Princess serves YG as an associate music director, and has also taken to heart our cultural value of "every member a mentor." She along with several of our young adults also serve as mentors and ministry leaders with UNDERGROUND [UG], our youth mini… — Princess serves YG as an associate music director, and has also taken to heart our cultural value of "every member a mentor." She along with several of our young adults also serve as mentors and ministry leaders with UNDERGROUND [UG], our youth ministry. Her discipleship has nurtured many UG musicians and she is a regular personality hosting UG Talks. She has plans to spend part of her Summer at Camp Yavapines in Arizona. Young adults like Princess and Chrissy, give further evidence to our church being more than a building, they are committed to "Being Jesus, Being YG" wherever they go, extending our community beyond a place or a time.

THE PANDEMIC REVEALED OUR PASSION Those are just some of the faces of YG, that now span around the globe. Innovators like Tim with Adventist Young Professionals; Worship leaders like Ian with Canyon Creek Project; Pastors like Oddie at the Seventh-… — **THE PANDEMIC REVEALED OUR PASSION**
Those are just some of the faces of YG, that now span around the globe. Innovators like **Tim** with Adventist Young Professionals; Worship leaders like **Ian** with Canyon Creek Project; Pastors like **Oddie** at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and **Jonathan** at Chapel Creek; Fronliners like **Deirdre Rivera-Martin**; Arlington LIFE producers like **Mark Grove**; Bloggers like **Lisa Brandreth**. . . and there are hundreds, if not thousands more, that are, *"Being Jesus, Being YG."*
The pandemic revealed what we already knew about *Younger Generation Church*, we are passionate about deepening our devotion to Jesus through intimacy, community, and grace. So if the days gone by of 2020 are any indication for what lies ahead, I'm hopeful and excited.
*About viruses? About inhumanity? About suffering?* . . . not exactly.
I'm excited about the faces of YG being the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus no matter what comes our way. I'm thankful for **you** being YG and being so generous in so many ways for the cause of Christ. That's my view of 2020 so far, and I prayerfully look forwards to the exciting days ahead.
It truly is my honor to minister alongside you.
#BeJesus #BeYG
*--A Allan Martin, PhD*
Teaching Pastor, Younger Generation Church
ygchurch.com