FEBRUARY 8, 2022 VOL.3 NO.7
COHORT WELCOME WEBINAR // TUESDAY 2:00PM CST // ZOOM
We are thrilled that our Lewisville Campus is among the churches in the Southwestern Union Conference appointed to participate in the Growing Together Cohort this year!
They begin a year-long digital experience alongside other local churches across the division. Together growing and learning six research-based core commitments, Lewisville campus will innovate relevant practices to implement intentionally in their context. Trained and supported by Adventist coaches, researchers, and practitioners, they want to reap the benefit of convenient training and ongoing mentoring throughout the learning journey.
If you are a member of any of our Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church campuses, feel free to peek in at today’s Growing Together Welcome Webinar at 2:00PM. Click the above icon for the zoom room access.
A diverse team of Lewisville campus members, including Pastor Eugene Kitney will connect and engage the church in the cohort process as well as several of our YG young adults and young professionals. Here’s our delegates included in the Lewisville campus team:
Oddie Olazaran has recently been installed as the Campus Pastor for Burton Adventist Academy. Having extensive exprience in youth and young adult ministry, Oddie continues to focus on mentoring the next generation. He is soon finishing his MDiv with Andrews Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary with a concentration in Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Both he and his wife, Madeline, enjoy outdoor adventures such as rock climbing, backpacking, and hiking.
Gabrielle Harris is a licensed youth & young adult evangelist, motivational speaker, and an aspiring actress that currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas. Gabbie was born with Cerebral Palsy, however throughout the course of her life, she has faced many obstacles and challenges, but with God’s grace she has beat the odds, and has done almost everything she has set her mind to do.
Gabrielle enjoys being an advocate for people of all ages that have various disabilities. She believes that people with disabilities can conquer anything they put their mind to, she feels that people can be inspired by her story and the miracles that God has performed in her life, and for that she is ever so grateful to God. Gabrielle enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, shopping, she also enjoys meeting people in all walks of life, in her eyes no one is a stranger. She is always excited to tell others of the miracle and blessings God has bestowed upon her. She feels her purpose is to encourage young people and adults to love others, and to not give up, as we are all here for a purpose. Check out more details about Gabrielle at www.gabbieharris.com
Nick Snell is the pastor for everyone considered young at the Chapel Oaks Seventh-day Adventist Church in Shawnee Kansas. He is excited about empowering discipleship, heartfelt worship, creativity, and family. He was born and raised around Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan; He met his wife, Deanne, in August 2008 in his hometown after both of them had finished their student missions experiences. Life changing experiences include: Adventist education, Benton Harbor Street ministries, colporteuring, task-force student missions, church planting, worship leading, working with incredible leaders across the NAD and being married with three children whom he adores. Nick serves in the Kansas-Nebraska Conference right in the middle of the country.
HAVE YOU AUTOMATED YOUR ONLINE GIVING TO YG CHURCH?
If you have, following YG, please meet up with Pastor Allan in the lobby and receive a small token of our appreciation for your faithful support! To learn more about donating to YG, go to waystogive.ygchurch.com
ANCHORED: 2022 ATLANTIC UNION GODENCOUNTERS // FEBRUARY 11-13, 2022
The Atlantic Union GODencounters is a young adult life-changing experience. Young Adults (age 18-35) across Atlantic Union, and beyond, as well as, those who support Young Adult Ministries are invited to join us for an intimate experience with God. Join the fellowship under the theme, 'ANCHORED'.
Click the above icon or here to make your registration and lodging arrangements.
LOVING PEOPLE • LOVING GOD // YG CHURCH // SAT 10:15AM CST
Won't Stop Now, Believe For It, Church Song, Available #WorshipSet #Feb12 10:15AM CST fb.com/ygchurch #PeopleLoveGOD #ygchurch
Join your worship with ours as we Biblically analyze our mission in light of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” --Matthew 28:17-20 [Message]
Join Younger Generation Church in their Love Month series, “Loving People • Loving GOD,” Saturdays, 10:15AM CST, live.ygchurch.com #PeopleLoveGOD #ygchurch
3RD SORT OF ANNUAL CHILI COOK OFF // SATURDAY 6:30PM
Come out to enjoy a night of chili, bonfires, games, and fun with your Arlington church family on February 12 at 6:30pm! Enter your chili in the contest to see if yours is the spiciest, the most original, the best overall…or maybe you just take home the prize for the best looking booth! Be sure to bring a full pot so that everyone has a chance to get a taste. Whether you enter a chili or not, be sure to come with a couple extra dollars in your pocket to buy drinks and baked goods from the Pathfinders as they raise money for their club needs. To enter your chili, click on the image above or visit arlingtonadventist.com/chili - we look forward to seeing all y'all there!
THE LOVE POTLUCK // FEBRUARY 13 // 4:00PM CST
We can all agree that COVID has affected our social lives tremendously. Remember the days when we could meet new people at our church's potluck? Now with the pandemic, you can forget about having haystacks. Before you throw 2022 down the drain, there is something that might change your mind.
The Love Potluck brings virtual speed dating to the Adventist community. On February 13th, you will get the opportunity to meet some awesome people that all share the same beliefs as you.
When you hop on, you will first be welcomed by the host. They will start by breaking the ice and getting everybody comfortable. After the introduction, the actual speed dating begins. You will get to talk 1-on-1 to a different person of the opposite sex. You will be guaranteed to talk to at least 7 people and a maximum of 14 people.
This event is for the ages of 21-45. Click the above icon to learn more.
WORK AS WORSHIP RETREAT // FEBRUARY 17 6:30PM CST
Join us as we join thousands of young professionals from across the globe and explore how to make an impact in the workplace! For AYP’s February Career Development Center event, we will be hosting a LIVE broadcast of the world-renown, Work as Worship Retreat. There, the speakers will explore eight tenets of work as worship and as an AYP community, we’ll facilitate our own discussions via our Zoom room! Click the above icon to register.
SWN: SO WHAT NOW?
If you are inspired by a song, a scripture, or a sermon in YG, we want to encourage you to take it to the next step.
James 1:22 shares, “Put the word into action. If you think hearing is what matters most, you are going to find you have been deceived.”
The Voice paraphrase includes this commentary about this passage in James:
”God the Father is the giver of all things and is looking for every opportunity to bless us. But many people have difficulty trusting and receiving good things, even when those things come from God. The problem is that we not only have trouble trusting God’s work in our lives, but we also don’t always respond to God’s voice. People often hear the Scriptures but don’t really listen. People store truths in their brains but never put them to use. For James, the only good religion is religion lived out every day.”
To support your next steps in acting on the Word of GOD, YG’s linktree features an array of take home and take action resources. Click the above icon or here to access YG’s linktree.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
AYP CANADA BIBLE JEOPARDY // FEBRUARY 25 // 7:00PM CST
Join our AYP Canada team as we welcome the Sabbath through our Winter 2022 Canada meet up - a virtual and interactive Bible Jeopardy gathering! Meet fellow Adventist from across the AYP network as you learn new fun Bible facts! Visit AYP Canada’s website to reserve your spot and access the link!
AWAKEN CONFERENCE // FEBRUARY 25-27 // NOSOCA PINES RANCH
AWAKEN is a 3-day conference at Nosoca Pines Ranch, designed to equip young adults for the next step in their journey to spiritual revival. Click the above icon to register.
NIGHT AT THE MEYERSON // FEBRUARY 27 6:00PM
Southwestern Adventist University’s (SWAU) 29th annual A Night at the Meyerson concert will be hosted on February 27, 2022, at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in downtown Dallas, Texas. The concert is the finale of Southwestern Adventist University’s Music Festival which brings talented high school musicians from across the United States together each spring for vigorous music education and performance. The music festival features a mass choir, symphony orchestra, and guest artists.
During the festival, the students learn a variety filled repertoire featuring musical masterworks in addition to new compositions. This marks the fifth year that the festival has partnered with a composer to write a commissioned piece to be premiered during the concert at the Meyerson. Following Ēriks Ešenvalds, Kim André Arnesen, Craig Courtney, and Dr. Brandon A. Boyd, this year’s festival will feature British composer, Philip Stopford, world renowned for his beautiful choral music. Stopford has an impressive musical background and a reputation as a fun, engaging and meticulous choir trainer.
The goal of this annual concert is to promote musical achievement among young musicians and provide scholarships that will enable students to thrive as they engage in music while pursuing their college degrees. This wonderful tradition continues because of the many sponsors that support this event; we are grateful for their generosity. This year, the university seeks to raise $100,000!
IF:GATHERING 2022 WOMEN'S CONFERENCE // MARCH 4-5, 2022
Ladies, we would like to invite you to join us for IF:Gathering 2022 Women's Conference! IF:Gathering 2022 is a two-day event where women all over the world can gather together and discover the next step in their calling! Sessions begin March 4 from 6:15 pm - 9:30 pm & Saturday, March 5 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. All sessions will be virtually broadcast at the REVIVE Community Center.
This event is funded as a YG Shark Tank initiative and further sponsored by Revive Community Care and the Arlington Women's Ministry. Register by February 19 for a free ticket! Free spots are limited so register soon!
Register for IF:2022 Women's Conference Here
Click Here to Contact Your Local Host: Kelsey Guerrero
UNBROKEN: A NIGHT OF WORSHIP // MARCH 5 7:00PM CST // KEENE CHURCH
You’re invited to Unbroken: A Night of Worship, Saturday, March 5 at 7:00PM, at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church, 114 S Fairview, Keene, TX 76059. May your praise rise unbroken! Join fellow young adults from across the metroplex as we lend our voices in praise and worship to God. This night of worship will elevate your spirit and nourish your soul. Sponsored by Elevate at Keene Church.
GET DISCOUNTED TICKETS WHILE THEY LAST!
Just a few more weeks remain for you to reserve your discounted 2022 AYP Convention tickets! Visit the link below to learn more and DM Jazzmine Bankston or email Jazzmine.bankston@ayp.me with questions!
"Besides the amazing icebreakers, breakout sessions, dynamic speaker, and praise music, one of my favorite moments during the convention was dissecting a passage from Scripture Sabbath morning and allowing God to speak to me in a new way. There were several memorable moments as we got a chance to get our portraits taken professionally, sing karaoke, have an opportunity to network professionally, and make new friends! I am forever grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with God and others and look forward to seeing what God has in store for AYP." --Janina Irving
SAVE THE DATE // PASSION CONFERENCE DFW // DECEMBER 28-30, 2022
If you have interest in going as part of Younger Generation Church, let Pastor Allan know! amartin@ygchurch.com
PURSUE GOD
NEVER CHANGING GOD, EVER CHANGING WORLD
Sermon by Burton Academy Campus Pastor, Oddie Olazaran
"Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.' So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?' Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them." —Hebrews 13:1-9 (NLT)
BAA CAMPUS PASTOR: ODDIE OLAZARAN
Having extensive experience in youth and young adult ministry, Oddie continues to focus on mentoring the next generation. He is soon finishing his MDiv with Andrews Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary with a concentration in Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Both he and his wife, Madeline, enjoy outdoor adventures such as rock climbing, backpacking, and hiking.
SO WHAT NOW? TAKE STEPS IN WEEK SIX OF 2022
1. NEW TO YOU: Who is someone new to you [at school, work. or church], that you can show some extra hospitality to? Work up your courage, introduce yourself, and extend some kind gesture of welcome to them.
2. MENTORS: Who is someone who inspired you, mentored you, or befriended you early on in your Christian walk? Reach out to them and let them know the impact they made in your life.
3. ROCK SOLID: What characteristic about Jesus do you most appreciate, especially since His character is unchanging and solid. Pray a prayer of praise to Him for being Who He is.
Don’t complicate or hesitate. Keep it simple. For context check out @ygchurch on YouTube, https://youtu.be/09EDaO8NAqU #LoveGODpeople #ygchurch
DEVOTIONAL: LOVE WITH SKIN ON IT
Click the above icon for a devotional reflection on Hebrews 13:1-3 by Pastor A Allan Martin.
WALKING ALONG SIDE YOUNG MEN // A RUGGED JOURNEY
Erica Jones is very excited to announce that the “partner site” for gorgeous2god—a mentoring platform for young men—has been launched! Much time and prayer and input from many wise colleagues has gone into this project. We were receiving so many questions from young men via gorgeous2god that it became readily apparent we needed the same outlet for guys. Young men can ask us anything (and they do!), and they are answered by a mentor with compassionate advice. Click the above icon to check out www.aruggedjourney.org
EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY
ARE YOU A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL? ARE YOU AN ADVENTIST?
If the answer is yes and yes, we would love for you to join Adventist Young Professionals! Membership is free.
RIGHTNOW MEDIA VIRTUAL LIBRARY
As a YGer you have access to RightNow Media—the world’s largest streaming library of video Bible study resources. This extensive library has more than 20,000 videos from leaders like Francis Chan, Jennie Allen, Matt Chandler, Dr. Tony Evans, and many more. These Bible study videos can be used as part of a group study or for personal devotions, and many series include free discussion guides and handouts.
RightNow Media has videos for everyone in your family on a variety of topics like marriage, parenting, personal finances, mental health, and more. There’s even a library just for kids with over 2,000 safe, entertaining videos. Click the above icon or click here to gain access to our digital library!
INSPIRE HOPE // SHARE GRACE
SERVE WITH OTHER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS!
Adventist Young Professionals wants to reach out and let you know that we have a few roles on the AYP team that we are prayerfully looking to fill! We’re wanted to ask if you might be interested in joining the team or if you might be able to suggestion someone whom I could reach out to regarding one of these roles? Click the above icon or here to check out all the opportunities to serve!
REVIVE COMMUNITY CARE: WE ARE HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER
Inspire those around you with the hope of grace by volunteering with Revive Community Care! Participate and refer those in need, revivecommunitycare.com
LEGACY RENEWAL PROJECT
We’ve been in the middle of a construction zone at church for months now. Although it’s hard to tell at times, we’ve actually made quite a bit of progress! Thank you so much for your patience, but most of all, thank you for your support as we work our way through the details and the frustrations of the construction world.
Over the next several weeks as we finish out the project our goal is to post periodic updates so that you have a better idea of what has already happened, what you can expect from week to week, and how you can support the project to its completion. We’ll post progress pics and the occasional video walk-through with Mindy. So stay tuned! There’s more to come...and it’s going to be great when it’s all finished!
To read the updates, click here or on the picture above. You can support by giving to “Building Fund.”
WHAT’S YOUR IDEA?
The @burtonadventistacademy 5th Grade Class proposed making blankets for the homeless as their @ygchurch Shark Tank project. Mentored by their teacher, Mrs. Debbie Bernet, they intend to partner with @revivecommunitycare to distribute to those in need. Pastor Allan was delighted to present them with support from YG for their idea! #YGSharkTank #BeJesus #BeYG
In addition to young adults, students and families are all invited to submit ideas for sharing Jesus and His love! Pitch your idea today! tiny.one/SharkTankPitch
TEXAS YOUNG ADULTS
Click the above icon or here for all the latest updates from Texas Young Adult Ministry!
YOUR GENEROSITY MAKES @YGCHURCH GROW, GLOW, & GO
We invite you to support @ygchurch financially. As you bless YG, our young adults overflow that blessing into our community and into the world. Your tax-deductible donation helps YG grow, glow, and go. Thank you. Click the above icon or here for ways to give.
How does your support overflow into the world? Click here for @ygchurch stories of overflow.
GRATITUDE
GRATEFUL FOR THE GROWING TOGETHER COHORT
The 2022 #GrowingTogether cohort launched this week! Super stoked for the 34+ churches that will be journeying together for this year! Grateful that our Lewisville campus is part of this great adventure!
VIRTUAL 10-MINUTE PARTY
Thanks to everyone who showed up online for some fellowship and prayer! So great to see YGers from across the country and across the Metroplex! Can’t wait for our next party, in person!
Younger Generation Church is the vibrant young adult ministry of the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.YG's mission is to deepen our devotion to Christ Jesus through:
• Pursuing INTIMACY with God
• Experiencing COMMUNITY with each other
• Inspiring those around us with the hope of GRACE