“Watch to see where GOD is working in the world and join Him in His work.” —Experiencing GOD
![MICHELLE’S STORY Recently I was at Lake Whitney Ranch [LWR] supporting a Texas Conference young adult event, when I was approached by a young lady I had not met before in person. She asked if I was Pastor Allan, and when I confirmed I was, she went on to introduce herself.Michelle is a young professional from Houston and she and her friend had decided to attend the Young Adult Week at LWR. She radiantly shared how very blessed she was by our online ministry. I’m still learning to graciously receive affirmations instead of deflecting, so I awkwardly thanked her for her kind comments and we took a moment to take a photo together. We went on to enjoy the program with the rest of the young adults and leaders before I returned home that afternoon. The following week, imagine my thrill when Pastors Michael and Justin posted photos of baptisms held that weekend. It reminded me, that if we’re serving GOD, that we all play a part in GOD’s work in the world. I’m particularly fond of Paul’s comments to the church in Corinth, and I love the admonishing banter as paraphrased by Eugene Peterson:“Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us—servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God’s field in which we are working.” —1Corinthians 3:5-9 [Message]As you peruse YG’s midyear reflection, I hope you will process it in the context that we’re merely a part of the larger work GOD is doing in the world. What an honor! Be Jesus, Be YG wherever GOD places you, and watch Him work.In the words of author Henry Blackaby, “Watch to see where GOD is working in the world and join Him in His work.”As we head into the second half of 2021 and a new season for Younger Generation Church, I hope you will enjoy these glimpses of GOD’s work in us and through us. —Pastor Allan](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58dc9b01b3db2bd051138ccd/1627428245319-DU1JYCFG8ME6LW74IQRO/1FFF89E9-486D-4184-9DDA-E2D680524576.JPG)
MICHELLE’S STORY
Recently I was at Lake Whitney Ranch [LWR] supporting a Texas Conference young adult event, when I was approached by a young lady I had not met before in person. She asked if I was Pastor Allan, and when I confirmed I was, she went on to introduce herself.
Michelle is a young professional from Houston and she and her friend had decided to attend the Young Adult Week at LWR. She radiantly shared how very blessed she was by our online ministry. I’m still learning to graciously receive affirmations instead of deflecting, so I awkwardly thanked her for her kind comments and we took a moment to take a photo together. We went on to enjoy the program with the rest of the young adults and leaders before I returned home that afternoon.
The following week, imagine my thrill when Pastors Michael and Justin posted photos of baptisms held that weekend. It reminded me, that if we’re serving GOD, that we all play a part in GOD’s work in the world. I’m particularly fond of Paul’s comments to the church in Corinth, and I love the admonishing banter as paraphrased by Eugene Peterson:
“Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us—servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God’s field in which we are working.” —1Corinthians 3:5-9 [Message]
As you peruse YG’s midyear reflection, I hope you will process it in the context that we’re merely a part of the larger work GOD is doing in the world. What an honor! Be Jesus, Be YG wherever GOD places you, and watch Him work.
In the words of author Henry Blackaby, “Watch to see where GOD is working in the world and join Him in His work.”
As we head into the second half of 2021 and a new season for Younger Generation Church, I hope you will enjoy these glimpses of GOD’s work in us and through us. —Pastor Allan
2021 MIDYEAR MEMO
Here are highlights from @ygchurch so far this year…
SINCE JANUARY 2021
YG HAS SUPPORTED & LAUNCHED OVER 30 LIFEGROUPS AROUND THE WORLD
In person, online, and hybrid, Younger Generation Church has innovating ways to connect and build community amidst the challenges that surround us. LIFEgroups have been a tremendous source of fellowship, inspiration, and support for hundreds of young adults and YGers worldwide.
FEBRUARY 2021 • YG EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO FRONTLINE WORKERS
“It was awesome to have YG come by and visit us, and our weekend team members during these challenging times,” expressed Carine Moura, Manager of Strategy and Marketing for Texas Health Mansfield. “We are thankful for their kindness and support!”
“It was so beautiful to serve a community of people that deserve it so much,” said Iryna Brochu, a young adult photographer with YG, “I was honored to be there to capture it!”
“A simple idea of gratitude came to life as a group of young adults at YG acted upon it, expressing their love. How beautiful it is to see how the community pulls together to cheer each other on and lift each other up, through even the most challenging of seasons.” —Kayla Goodman, YG Pastoral Intern
Click the above icon or here for the full Adventist Review article.
MARCH 2021 • YG LEADS WORSHIP FOR GLOBAL YOUTH DAY
A worldwide endeavor of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Youth Department — including the thirteen divisions, MENA Union and the Israel field — Global Youth Day [GYD] featured Adventist young people reaching out to their communities with compassion and acts of service. March 20th, as in years past, the 24-hour period showcased on social media the news reports, testimony videos, and worldwide activity registering millions of digital impressions of next generations being the “hands and feet of Jesus.”
This year, GYD held three “kick-off” programs to launch the start of the “day” in various parts of the globe. Younger Generation Church [YG] led worship music for these GYD anchor programs, broadcasting live from YG. We’re honored to have participated and led worship for thousands of young people all over the world.
“Thank you for making #GYD21 happen here at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists! We couldn’t have done it without you,” heralded the @GCYouth team. “Thank you Younger Generation Church! Thank you for saying “I WILL GO,” and leading us all in worship. . . Many blessings as you continue to empower our youth in God’s mission!”
Global Youth Day has become a highlighted opportunity for the Seventh-day Adventist Church to compassionately reach out to neighborhoods and communities in villages, towns, and cities around the world. In year's past Global Youth Day has mobilized thousands of young people, and this year continued that impact. YG was honored to be invited to join GYD in being the hands and feet, heart and voice of Jesus.
APRIL 2021
YG & ELEVATE LAUNCH CREATIVE EVANGELISM EVENT: DEEP CALLING JOURNEY
This experimental evangelistic approach was led by young adult pastoral interns and involved students from Southwestern Adventist University as well as @ygchurch members. Engaging both the Keene and Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church campuses as well as various social media platforms, Deep Calling Journey has continued through the Summer with a variety of LIFEgroups convening in person and online.
Click the above icon for the official Deep Calling Journey site, and the below icon for the DCJ initiative report.
MAY-JULY 2021 • YG TAKES A “DEEP DIVE” INTO A LIFE OF DISCIPLESHIP
Based on the discipleship curriculum of Dr. Tara VinCross, Deep Calling, YG has spent the Summer giving careful study and rehearsal to the “calls of GOD” through weekend worship, teaching, and LIFEgroups. Click any of the above icons to gain access to the video vault for YG’s Summer series.
AUGUST 2021 • YG’S BAPTISM CELEBRATION CULMINATES SUMMER
You’re invited to be part of the baptismal festivities concluding our Summer! Take the deep dive and declare Christ Jesus as Lord to the entire universe! Click the above icon or here to let us know of your interest to be baptized, re-baptized, or to ask any questions you may have.