“Leadership begins with Listening.” —Scott Cormode

We’re committed to paying close attention to the experience of next generations. We want to empathize with their journey and authentically join them in pursuit of a deeper devotion to Christ Jesus.

LISTENING TO GOD’S CALL Most of Danielle Quaye’s youth and young adult years have been with @ygchurch. In her teens, she approached Pastor Allan asking about ministry as a career. Dani offered most of her young adult life serving in many volunteer capacities with YG, even several years hired as the church’s media director. Graduating from UTA a Terry Scholar, opportunities abounded for her future and she remained determined to listen to God’s call. Challenges and obstacles notwithstanding, her zeal for becoming a ministry professional came to fruition last November as she departed to be a missionary in South Korea. — **LISTENING TO GOD’S CALL**
Most of Danielle Quaye’s youth and young adult years have been with @ygchurch. In her teens, she approached Pastor Allan asking about ministry as a career. Dani offered most of her young adult life serving in many volunteer capacities with YG, even several years hired as the church’s media director. Graduating from UTA a Terry Scholar, opportunities abounded for her future and she remained determined to listen to God’s call. Challenges and obstacles notwithstanding, her zeal for becoming a ministry professional came to fruition last November as she departed to be a missionary in South Korea.

LISTENING TO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS Four years ago, we heard several of our young adults express a desire for fellowship and community building among those out of college and starting their careers. The unique stressors and relational status of those who had not yet started families and were no longer part of collegiate campus life had left many of our young professionals feeling a bit isolated although they enjoyed being part of @ygchurch. This is how Young Professionals @ Arlington began, listening to the hearts of our next generations. — **LISTENING TO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS**
Four years ago, we heard several of our young adults express a desire for fellowship and community building among those out of college and starting their careers. The unique stressors and relational status of those who had not yet started families and were no longer part of collegiate campus life had left many of our young professionals feeling a bit isolated although they enjoyed being part of @ygchurch. This is how *Young Professionals @ Arlington* began, listening to the hearts of our next generations.

Today, Adventist Young Professionals is a global hub focused on the success of Adventist young adults embarking on their career, with thousands of members around the world. In addition to building community with regional gatherings and small groups, they foster inspiration through projects, partnerships, relevant seminars and retreats. — Today, *Adventist Young Professionals* is a global hub focused on the success of Adventist young adults embarking on their career, with thousands of members around the world. In addition to building community with regional gatherings and small groups, they foster inspiration through projects, partnerships, relevant seminars and retreats.

LISTENING TO FAITH’S HEART
At the height of the pandemic, YG leader, Faith Rivera, felt particularly impressed that “we need to do something to appreciate healthcare workers.” In her work with public health agencies as well as her husband being in medical school, she empathized with those on the front lines of the medical community and thought maybe @ygchurch could share some gratitude with these community heroes.

Rallying behind Faith’s idea, @ygchurch volunteers helped her put together hundreds of “care cups” with treats, gifts, and appreciation letters from school children and YGers. The gratitude gifts where shared with nurses, doctors, medical staff, hospital administrators, and environmental services workers — all the hospital workers.

“It was awesome to have YG come by and visit us and our weekend team members during these challenging times,” Carine Moura, manager of strategy and marketing for Texas Health Mansfield, said. “We are thankful for their kindness and support!”

THADDEUS LISTENS TO GOD’S WORD Thaddeus Turner is a 22-year-old collegian who has recently started worshiping at @ygchurch. Previously attending Texas Tech University, he is now returning to his hometown to attend the University of Texas at Arlington. Thaddeus is majoring in History with a minor in Secondary Education with intentions of teaching high school seniors. — **THADDEUS LISTENS TO GOD’S WORD**
Thaddeus Turner is a 22-year-old collegian who has recently started worshiping at @ygchurch. Previously attending Texas Tech University, he is now returning to his hometown to attend the University of Texas at Arlington. Thaddeus is majoring in History with a minor in Secondary Education with intentions of teaching high school seniors.

Thaddeus has seen his love for Jesus grow throughout his life, especially feeling blessed as he has gone through significant health issues in his teen years. Returning to the DFW Metroplex where he was raised, he felt convicted by the witness of a college classmate, Lisa Brandreth, who observed a seventh-day Sabbath. Upon further study of the Scriptures, Thaddeus felt compelled to “try out” a “Saturday church,” and found @ygchurch on the internet. A devout Christ-follower, he didn’t hesitate to jump right in and began to volunteer as a greeter. Next thing Thaddeus knew, he was participating in the YG sermon with Pastor Allan.

LISTENING AND LINGERING Even as a teenager in the Pacific Northwest, Tim Kosaka, had already been attending @ygchurch via their online media broadcasts and social media presence. As he graduated from college, Tim took a GOD-sized leap of faith to follow a DFW job opportunity and to live where he could attend YG in person. “I’d heard so many stories of people leaving the church after college, and I didn’t want to be part of that statistic, so I was very intentional about my walk with Christ.”Tim was indeed very intentional and immediately became involved in volunteering and leading in YG, as well as carefully listening to the heart-felt needs of his peers and colleagues. During this time, he founded Adventist Young Professionals as well as rose to the directorship of his department. He shared an interview with the Southwestern Union Record:“We have a call to share God’s love with the whole world, but in order to stay grounded in our faith, we need to be active, not passive,” Kosaka says. “Active church engagement helps all of us be stronger in our faith. Jesus is coming soon, and we cannot be passive.” — **LISTENING AND LINGERING**
Even as a teenager in the Pacific Northwest, Tim Kosaka, had already been attending @ygchurch via their online media broadcasts and social media presence. As he graduated from college, Tim took a GOD-sized leap of faith to follow a DFW job opportunity and to live where he could attend YG in person.
*“I’d heard so many stories of people leaving the church after college, and I didn’t want to be part of that statistic, so I was very intentional about my walk with Christ.”*
Tim was indeed very intentional and immediately became involved in volunteering and leading in YG, as well as carefully listening to the heart-felt needs of his peers and colleagues. During this time, he founded *Adventist Young Professionals* as well as rose to the directorship of his department. He shared an interview with the *Southwestern Union Record*:
*“We have a call to share God’s love with the whole world, but in order to stay grounded in our faith, we need to be active, not passive,”* Kosaka says. *“Active church engagement helps all of us be stronger in our faith. Jesus is coming soon, and we cannot be passive.”*

LISTENING FOR LIFE
During the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when sheltering in place called for @ygchurch to be exclusively online, our YGers around the world really longed for fellowship and relationships given the amount of isolation and unrest. Where once our lobby spaces, after church meals, and extracurricular gatherings afforded multiple social occasions, the pandemic put a rather abrupt halt to it all.

Listening to the need to “do life together,” @ygchurch fostered a dizzying array of online groups, some of which met daily for months at the peak of the pandemic. In partnership with Adventist Young Professionals, YG co-sponsored nearly 20 groups gathering young adults worldwide. Womens groups, and sundown fellowship groups were also held. As part of a hybrid evangelistic endeavor, Elevate Community Fellowship and Younger Generation Church joined forces to establish eight small groups, gathering people from across the country to follow the deep calling.

Another innovation that came from listening to the needs of YGers was YG LIFE, a “post-worship party” broadcast, following the @ygchurch worship experience. Especially meaningful for the online YG family, YG LIFE is hosted by various YG personalities and leaders, offering their candor and personal touch. Along with sermon reflections, interviews, and announcements, the broadcasts highlight a live online prayer session where the hosts include requests and praises submitted on YG’s social media platforms.

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. —1Samuel 3:7-11 [NIV]WE’RE LISTENING At @ygchurch we continue to listen carefully. To GOD. To each other. To the world. We pray for attentive ears and attuned hearts. At Younger Generation Church, may we be known as servants who are listening. . . — *7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.*
*8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”*
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
*10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”*
*Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”*
*11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.* —1Samuel 3:7-11 [NIV]
**WE’RE LISTENING**
At @ygchurch we continue to listen carefully.
To GOD.
To each other.
To the world.
We pray for attentive ears and attuned hearts.
At *Younger Generation Church*, may we be known as servants who are listening. . .