YG VISION: 2020 REFLECTION, 2021 ANTICIPATION
At Younger Generation Church, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the year past and getting ready for the adventures ahead.
YG VISION: In this new decade of YG, we aspire to overflow Christ Jesus beyond our four walls, blessing your community, transforming our world.
About this time last year, our vibrant young adult ministry embarked on one of the most ambitious all-church projects ever. Based on the idea and passion of young adult, Kelsey Guerrero, our whole church partnered with World Vision and became the first Seventh-day Adventist Church to participate in #Chosen.
You can read many of the tranformational details by clicking here or the above icon. Know that beyond the Zambian families whose lives were impacted, for us, our whole church, the experience made a profound difference. We were changed by being chosen.
MIRACLES, HEARTACHES, AND HOPE
Literally on the heels of Kelsey and Pastor Allison globe-trotting to Africa and back, and over 100 of our church members being chosen by Zambian children, COVID-19 went from an overseas epidemic to a worldwide pandemic. Our Burton Adventist Academy missionaries were nearly stranded in Peru as borders closed. We saw a miracle emerge on their behalf. As the months moved on, we witnessed miracle after miracle, as well as heartache after heartache, but also hope amidst despair.
Peering back on 2020, we discovered so many things about ourselves. Click the above icon or here to reflect on some of our YG insights amidst the pandemic.
THE PANDEMIC REVEALED PEOPLE PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS
Amidst all the challenges of 2020, we discovered that @ygchurch was not a program contained in a building, but rather YG is a widely dispersed, diverse, loving people passionate about deepening devotion to Jesus in their heart and in our world. The pandemic didn’t close down our church, rather it awakened us to the spiritual reality that—wherever GOD resides in the heart of humans—the Church is vibrant, alive, and active. And during the pandemic @ygchurch showed out.
Generosity: In a year where there was notable economic hardship everywhere and financial fear abounded, you were faithful and generous in your giving to @ygchurch, empowering our ministry to move forward with momentum. Click here for a review YG’s 2020 financials.
Empowerment: In a year where changes were occurring moment by moment, @ygchurch had the dexterity to “roll with the pandemic punches,” and continue to innovate and engage younger generations in the mission of our ministry. Click here for just a few examples of the YG pivot.
Engagement: In a year where community health precautions limited meeting in person, @ygchurch was able to capitalize on having been on the digital landscape for over a decade. Options to meet online grew exponentially as did the worldwide scope of YG’s ministry. 2020 revealed to us that our young adults are mobile and global in “being Jesus, being YG.” Click here for some examples of how YG is overflowing Jesus into our world.
Partnerships: In a year where working together was so vitally needed, YG continued forming lasting partnerships with others including Adventist Young Professionals, Texas Young Adults, Growing Young Adventists, and Southwestern Adventist University to name a few. These partnerships fulfill the vision for @ygchurch, extending our visionary reach into both the real and digital world. Click here for some examples of our partnership endeavors.
Looking back at 2020, @ygchurch showed out.
MOVING INTO THE GREAT ADVENTURE
WHAT WE SEE IN 2021
God’s proven faithfulness in our past is what we hold to in the present and claim for the new year. Here’s a few highlights:
YG Director: Chrissy Gaban takes the helm of @ygchurch leadership and will lean on the YG LEADteam and each of us for the expanding ministry scope of our young adult ministry.
Global Youth Day: Younger Generation Church will worship lead for General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Youth Ministries’ world-wide community service initiative where younger generations of Adventists on every continent will unite to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Coming March 2021.
Deep Calling: Spring Revival: Younger Generation Church invites you to experience the calls of GOD like you have never experienced before. Coming April 2021.
…and so much more. Stay tuned.