SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 VOL.3 NO.37
COLLEGIATE PIZZA FEED // WED 7PM // PALIO’S PIZZA CAFE MANSFIELD
All university and college students! Meet up with us this Wednesday for pizza! Sign up at tiny.one/YGstudent and make your way to Palio’s Pizza Cafe, 2200 FM157 STE232, Mansfield September 7th, 7:00PM! We look forward to seeing you there!
MEET UP WITH US AT SWAU!
This Thursday, 11:00AM, @ygchurch will be at Southwestern Adventist University clubs fair being held int the SWAU gymnasium. Would love to meet up with you. Swing by and say “Hi”!
ADVENTIST YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FEATURED ON ADVENTIST MEDIA
Adventist Young Professionals’ (AYP) founder and president, Tim Kosaka, was recently interviewed on Mission 360˚ TV, a production of Adventist Mission, that takes viewers inside the mission stories to explore the lives of missionaries and people serving God all over the world.
During his conversation, Kosaka discussed how AYP started and how it's grown to a global community. He explored the burden God placed on his heart to start this organization, how AYP grew from a social media page to a global community, and the vision and plans for AYP’s future.
As a ministry that fosters Christ-centered community through faith development, authentic connections, and ministry engagement. AYP actively impacts a community of over 6,000 young adults through its online community, local chapters, and virtual groups. Kosaka’s interview, which is part of the “Church Plants and Professionals” episode, airs September 9, 2022 at 9:30 PM CT on Hope Channel, and September 9, 2022 at 10:00 PM CT on 3ABN.
GREAT VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR CHOSEN ENCORE!
Click the above icon, sign up to volunteer for CHOSEN Encore coming September 10th! We need a great team to help us partner again with World Vision and our sister village in Zambia! Sign up today! tiny.one/chosen
YG SPEAKER: RUSTY FUNK
Rusty Funk and Annalisa Munoz Funk [Rusty’s bride/partner] grew up in Arizona, were high school sweethearts, are brand new parents, and currently reside in Chicago. They have a passion for community, advocacy, and for connecting churches in the US to vulnerable children around the world.
Rusty graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a degree in Pastoral Ministry in 2007. After graduation, Rusty moved to Chicago’s East Garfield Park Neighborhood (one of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods in Chicago) to work alongside men experiencing homelessness with Breakthrough Urban Ministries.
In 2008, while still working at Breakthrough, Rusty ran his first marathon for Team World Vision [TWV]. For context…Rusty was not a runner, in fact he was out of shape, overweight and hated even the thought of running. To this day he has now idea WHY he signed up for that first marathon, but training for the race with his church team and fundraising for vulnerable children around the changed his life forever.
In 2011 Rusty officially joined the staff of Team World Vision and since then, he and the TWV staff team, have partnered with over 500 churches and schools around the country who together have empowered over 100,000 individuals to move their feet for the poor and accomplish something they never thought possible all the while raising almost $100million for World Vision’s water projects which has built sustainable lasting clean water solutions for nearly 1,600,000 women and children in East Africa.
God’s use of the ministry of TWV helped spark a movement within World Vision where they started asking themselves how else do they continue to seek God’s innovative spirit and continue to dream His big dreams and come up with new ministries that, like TWV, serve the local church while connecting them to the global poor. Out of that heart God has continued to build even more transformational ministries along the way through World Vision. Ministries like the Global 6K, Matthew 25, and now Chosen to name a few.
Flash forward to today where Rusty’s gets to serve as the Associate Vice President of Church and Ministry Partnerships at World Vision. He describes this role as one of the top joys of his life as he gets to lead and serve alongside 100 staff who (in his words) are the most incredibly talented and incredibly passionate group of people in the world. A staff team who is spread out around the country but who is united through the holy spirit in their common desire is to serve the local church while connecting them to communities in need around the world.
WORLD VISION’S CHOSEN ENCORE // 9AM, 10:15AM, 11:30AM // ARLINGTON ADVENTIST CHURCH
He Lives, O Praise The Name, Jesus, We Love You, All Hail King Jesus #WorshipSet #Sep10 10:15AM CST fb.com/ygchurch.com #chosen #ygchurch
@YGCHURCH will again support our sister village in Zambia and invite the entire church to be CHOSEN. If you would like to volunteer and help with this mission event, contact Kelsey Guerrero.
foundation // sat 1pm // fellowship hall
foundation is a brand new @ygchurch Bible study. we are so excited to spend time together studying the Word of God on Sabbath afternoons.
Are you looking for something more? I know I am. Since it’s beginning, the church has been a place for believers to gather and grow together and I’m very excited to tell you about a new opportunity to do that outside of Sabbath morning.
@ygchurch is starting a new Sabbath afternoon Bible study for young adults: foundation. The meaning behind the name is simple: we want Christ to be the foundation of our lives. Our mission is to grow spiritually through a deeper understanding of scripture and to fellowship with each other. This is an interactive discussion-based study going over what we believe as Adventist Christians. We will be looking at key verses and asking questions, discussing and learning what it means to be a young adult on fire for Christ.
Our next meeting will be in the fellowship hall. Lunch provided at 1 and we will start our study at 2.
For more information please contact Danielle Quaye or check out our Instagram page: @foundation.yg
3X3 BASKETBALL TOURNEY FUNDRAISER // SAT 7:30PM // BURTON HAYES GYM
Come one, come all! Help us support our Senior Class of 2023 as they kick off the year with a basketball tournament Please fill out the survey below to help us be better prepared for the tournament. We hope to see you there! Click icon to register.
PLANT A SEED TO SERVE LOVE
Revive Community Care featured in this issue of Southwestern Union Record.
SECRET SISTERS
Ladies - let's get ready to nurture! Secret Sisters is returning this fall, an opportunity for women to feel supported by and connected with other women in our church family! To sign up, click on the above icon or visit our Secret Sisters page on our website, or pick up a registration form in the foyer. Complete your registration by September 10 - our season kicks off October 1, so sign up today!
COMING ATTRACTIONS
CALLING UP ALL SHINDIG VOLUNTEERS!
Are you ready for some two-stepping, boot scootin, good food, and good times? Do you want to help with the biggest outdoor of the year? Sign-up now for Shindig 2022! tiny.one/ShindigSignup
CREATIVE FAM COLLECTIVE // OCT 21-22 // UGYOUTH @ ARLINGTON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Creative Fam Collective is a creative conference for all artists, innovators, musicians, writers, dancers, enthusiasts, etc to come together as a community and be refreshed in your gifts with other creatives.
Our time together includes Main Sessions with teaching and worship, as well as Breakouts, ranging from creative process, dance, music production, and to other creative themes and topics. Click above icon to register and for more info.
MAVS FAITH & FAMILY NIGHT // SUN, NOV 20 // AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER
Younger Generation Church is going to the Mavericks versus the Nuggets game and wants you to come! Click the above icon to indicate your interest in $15/person tickets for the Faith & Family night coming up in November. tiny.one/MavsGame
PASSION CONFERENCE RETURNS TO THE DFW // DEC 28-30, 2022
It’s going to be incredible! Don’t delay, let us know if you want to join us as we close out the year with Passion. Contact the Castillo family for all the deets.
YG HAS LIMITED DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO AYP CONVENTION!
We are excited to announce that the 2023 AYP Thrive Convention will be in Texas on July 28-30, 2023! Join us for this leadership convention focused on helping young professionals thrive toward the next level of their journey in Christ! YG has acquired tickets and is giving our YGers a great discount. CLICK THE ABOVE ICON to reserve your YG discounted registration. For general convention information, go to AYP.me/Convention for all the deets.
PURSUE GOD
JESUS IS THE WAY TO THE FATHER
Get to know Jesus, and you get to know the Father.
Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!” —John 14:6-7 [Message]
YG SPEAKER: PASTOR JAZZMINE BANKSTON
Jazzmine Bankston is our Chlidren and Family Ministry Pastor. For nearly a decade previously, Jazzmine has been serving as an English and religion educator, vice principal, and spiritual life coordinator. She is passionate about youth and young adult discipleship, as well as developing and empowering the next generation of leaders. Outside of her professional passions, she can be found enjoying a warm cup of coffee, out hiking in nature, or immersed in a good book.
TABLE TALKS: AT THE TABLE WITH JESUS // SAT 10:15AM CST // @YGCHURCH
In a world filled with noise, Jesus invites you to His table. A table of abundance. Peace. Protection.
Join YG in their Summer Series, “Table Talks: At the Table with Jesus,” Saturdays, 10:15AM Central;
In person: 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427; or
Online: fb.com/ygchurch
live.ygchurch.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/YoungerGenerationChurchTv
JESUS IS OUR WAY TO THE FATHER
From author, Louie Giglio:
These next few days are set up to direct our attention to the truth that Jesus is our way to the Father.
In the beginning, God the Father was directly accessible. When sin entered into the picture, it separated people from a holy God. But God gave His people a hope that one day He would grant people the possibility of being in a relationship with Him again. From that point on, God, out of complete grace and a desire to be with His people, allowed a select few to access Him through a temporary dwelling place.
When Jesus arrived on the scene, He revealed that He was the long-awaited hope of the world and the ultimate mediator between people and their heavenly Father. By the blood of Jesus, people once again had access into the Holy of Holies, the presence of God, and relationship with Him.
Jesus is our way to the Father.
So there is no longer a yearly sacrifice.
It is no longer about us doing our very best to try to mitigate all of our failures.
It’s no longer about reliance on a flawed person.
It’s Jesus, Who finished the work, Who gave His life in our place, Who said not just with His words but with His own blood, “I am the way and the truth and life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Jesus is the Way to what we are all looking for–relationship with God our Father. We have access to our Father because Jesus is at the table and He is the Way. Will you join Him?
Take a look at the video above for a deeper look at how Jesus is our way to the Father.
MEET HIM AT THE TABLE
Younger Generation Church wants to support your faith habits and spiritual growth as you strive to #BeJesus #BeYG. To this end, we invite you to join us in the coming days journeying through the devotional, "At the Table with Jesus."
Maybe your journey with Christ has been sporadic, filled with momentary bursts and desert times. It's said it takes about 66 days to form a new habit, so this might be just the time to return to the table Jesus has set to meet up with you.
Our desire and mission is for you to experience a deeper devotion with Christ Jesus, through intimacy, community, and grace. May you take a seat at the table and enjoy some time with Jesus.
Click the above icon for resources to help you spend quality time with him.
A GREAT SUPPLEMENT TO OUR CURRENT SERIES: THE CHOSEN
Come and see what they saw. The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season series about the life of Christ. Click the above icon to see the free show tens of millions of people won't stop talking about.
EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY
foundation // sep 10 1pm // fellowship hall
foundation is a brand new @ygchurch Bible study. we are so excited to spend time together studying the Word of God on Sabbath afternoons.
This name was inspired by the concept of Christ being our One True Sure Foundation. (Isaiah 28:16 “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”)
Personally, this concept stands out to me because there are so many things that society tells young people to rely on: appearances, wealth, education, social media, etc. Even within the church, our focus can be on other things, which are important as well, but I believe it’s time we go back to weightier matters. 2 Peter 1:3 says “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” There are so many young adults trying to live a Godly life without the right tools! Many of us think we have to invent our own or use what the world tells us. He has given them all to us. One prominent way He does this is through the word. --Dani
Click the icon for our IG. Oh and share with a friend who may be interested :)
CUMBRE HISPANA DE CRECIENDO JUNTOS: GROWING TOGETHER
On August 29-30, 2022 the Southwestern Union and its five conferences hosted the first Cumbre Hispana de CRECIENDO JUNTOS (Growing Together Hispanic Summit) on the campus of our Southwestern Adventist University. In fact, it is one of the first Hispanic Summits in the North American Division. More on Growing Together, is in store as YG’s next series, but for now, enjoy this feature article in the Southwestern Union Record.
INTERESTED IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP OR BEING MENTORED?
@YGCHURCH is the leadership laboratory offering younger generations opportunities to learn and grow in servant leadership, ministry formation, and vocational discipleship. We are invested in your success not only in school or career, but also in life. If you have an interest in being mentored, click the above icon to contact Bo Livingston, our YG Elder [center in photo].
YOU’RE INVITED!
Registration is now open for the Online Bible Study of Louie Giglio’s Don’t Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table, in partnership with FaithGateway. Whether you’re stuck in an endless cycle of destructive thinking or desire to embrace your true purpose, you have the opportunity to cancel the lies of the Enemy and restore peace and rest in your life.
Over the course of six weeks, Louie will help guide you with foundational truths rooted in Psalm 23, and provide you with practical tools and discussion points. These weeks in community together have the opportunity to not only be life-giving but also life-shifting as God wants to move in a mighty way. The study begins on September 12th and when you register today, you’ll receive exclusive access to bonus content!
Click the above icon to sign up.
LEADING WITH BRAVE HEARTS
Adventist Young Professionals Convention equips young adults from across North America. Read the feature article from this Summer’s convention, Brave Hearts.
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
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
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR SHINDIG 2022!
Click the above icon, sign up today to volunteer for our annual Texas-size, all-church party! tiny.one/ShindigSignup
DOOR HOLDERS FOR PASSION CONFERENCE
We use the term "Door Holder" instead of the word "volunteer." The term is borrowed from Psalm 84:10, which speaks of being a doorkeeper in the house of God.
At Passion, all volunteers are considered Door Holders — not just those who literally hold physical doors! From those who are serving in the background to those serving from the stage, we all share the same heartbeat to open the door for others to experience Jesus.
There are numerous ways for you to serve the students at Passion 2023. If you’re over the age of 25 and are willing to serve throughout the entire conference, we invite you click the above icon to submit your Door Holder application today!
SUCCESS CLOSET WARDROBE BOX IN CHURCH LOBBY
The Pathways to Success department at Southwestern Adventist University has this exciting program for the Fall semester called the Success Closet. We want to partner with our community to provide young professionals with professional attire. Many times, students at our university struggle financially and for this reason we created the Success Closet. Through the Success Closet our students will be able to receive professional clothing to rock their first interview or create a great first impression. Your donations to the wardrobe box in your church lobby will undoubtedly help students on their pathway to success.
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
THANK YOU ARLINGTON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Our Ukrainian families expressed their appreciation in such a generous way by hosting a luncheon for the whole church. The food, fellowship, and warm sense of community was incredible. Deep gratitude. Much love.
A PROFESSOR TO LOVE
Our Kathy Davis featured in the Southwestern Union Record.
THANK YOU ANTHONY AND VALERIA
For over half a decade you have served and led in Younger Generation Church, we deeply appreciate you! All the best to you all and Cecilia as you begin your new chapter in Tampa, Florida!
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