MARCH 3, 2026 VOL.07 NO.08

Welcome to GODencounters

At the turn of the century, young adults passionate about pursuing a 24/7 experience of GOD called the emerging generations to recklessly seek an authentic, wholehearted relationship with Christ Jesus. Today that passion continues with the GODencounters Conference, inviting all to spend the whole Sabbath worshiping in Spirit and in Truth. ***Welcome to GODencounters.***
March 6-7, 2026, Opening Friday Night 7:00PM [Central]
Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427

TIME TABLE

FRI 7PM — Session 1: Rooted Not Rushed
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. –John 15:4 [NLT]

SAT 8:30AM — Breakfast Bar in Lobby

SAT 9:00AM — Session 2: Unhurried
One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. . . –Luke 13:10 [NLT]

SAT 10:15AM — Session 3: Enter the Story
Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. –Luke 10:33 [NLT]

SAT 11:15AM — Refreshment Break in Lobby

SAT 11:30AM — Session 4: Sacred Monday
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. –Romans 12:1 [NLT]

SAT 6:00PM — Doors Open

SAT 7:00PM — HALAL: The Praise Continues
Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. –Psalm 111:1 [NLT]

PRESENTER: PASTOR PETER CASILLAS

Peter Casillas is a space creator passionate about cultivating intentional environments where meaningful connections can flourish and people can wrestle honestly with Jesus. He holds a BA in Theology and a Master of Divinity, has completed two Clinical Pastoral Education residencies, serves as faculty at Resilience University. He has worked as Director for Church Planting and Evangelism at the Potomac Conference, focusing on church revitalization, planting, and contextual mission. He is the Lead Pastor of Canyon Creek Project Church, and most importantly, a husband who loves Allison Casillas.

HALAL: THE PRAISE CONTINUES

**ENJOY THE HALAL SET LIST & PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR WORSHIP!**
Find the evening’s worship set list on **Apple Music** [*click above icon*] or/and on **Spotify**.

**GODENCOUNTERS GEAR & HALAL MERCH AVAILABLE SATURDAY NIGHT**
Following ***HALAL: The Praise Continues***, take home apparel, momentos, and/or souvenirs to keep your worship witness going! *Click the above icon to donate to @ygchurch covering merch cost.*

*So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you:* ***Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.*** Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. –Romans 12:1-2 [Message]

COME EARLY STAY LATE

**BREWED FOR COMMUNITY: COFFEE & CONNECTION // MAR 7 // CHURCH LOBBY**
A simple space to pause, talk, laugh, and grow together.
Just coffee. Just conversation. Just us.
#CoffeeAndConnection #BrewedForCommunity #FaithAndFellowship #GODencounters

**SEEKING GREAT VOLUNTEERS!**
March 6-7 we are looking for awesome people to be part of our GODencounters volunteer team. If you are 16 years old or younger you will need an adult to volunteer alongside you. **Our all volunteer orientation is Friday, 5:00PM at the church Fellowship Hall.***Click the above icon to sign up*.

LET’s DO LIFE TOGETHER

**NEW LIFEGROUP: UNCOVERED // OPENS MAR 14, 11:30AM // ROOM 7**
Questions about the Bible or what God tells us? Join us as we uncover the answers to our personal curiosities within God's Word! *Click the above icon to submit your questions!*

**ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AT UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ARLINGTON**
Click the above icon to find out more about your ACF Chapter at UTA!

**PRAYER MEETING // WEDS, 6:30PM // ARLINGTON ADVENTIST CHURCH**
*FORMED BY THE WORD, SHAPED THROUGH PRAYER* Join us for a midweek gathering where we return to the Sabbath sermon, reflect on Scripture together, and respond in guided prayer. This is a pastor-led space for teaching, listening, and praying as a community—no prior experience required.
**Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm, in the sanctuary.**

*“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you..." —Colossians 3:16*

Looking to put some spring in your step and your conversations? When you join an AYP Group, you can connect with other young professionals and have meaningful discussions that are sure to encourage you. Check out AYP.me/Groups to learn more and join a group today!

**FOUNDATIONS // SAT, 10:15AM // ROOM 6**
Join us **Sabbath mornings at 10:15 a.m. in Room 6** for a new pastor-led Sabbath School class centered on Scripture, spiritual growth, and meaningful community. *Foundations* is a welcoming space for visitors, new members, and anyone seeking to deepen their faith, ask questions, and grow together as disciples of Jesus.

**BECOMING YG [BYG]: DEEP ROOTS // RESUMES MARCH 14, SAT, 11:30AM // ROOM 6**
***Due to GODencounters, BYG will not be meeting this Sabbath.***
Resuming March 14th, all are invited to an open LIFEgroup launching this Sabbath in Room 6. BYG [Becoming YG] is for anyone but especially those who want to learn more about @ygchurch. We’re starting off with a study/discussion based on Dr. Tara VinCross’ series, *Deep Roots*. Come check us out this Saturday at 11:30AM.

**YG FREE ACCESS TO 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

Serving as a volunteer is a great way to get involved and meet new people. We encourage every YGer to find some way to participate in our church. Volunteering is a great way to #BeJesus #BeYG

Here are a several service opportunities to consider:

**YOUR MISSION STARTS HERE! HESAIDGOXP // MAR 12-14 // SWAU**
He said GO! and we’re answering the call. Join us March 12–14, 2026, at Southwestern Adventist University for a weekend full of connection, growth and impact. *Click the above icon to* *register*.
HeSaidGoXP is a high-energy, three-day experience crafted to spark passion, purpose, and a heart for service in the next generation of leaders—especially college students and young adults from across North America. Through hands-on XP Labs, compelling speakers, and interactive sessions, participants will discover how their unique gifts and passions connect with both global and local mission opportunities. But this isn’t just about volunteer recruitment—HeSaidGoXP is about cultivating a missional identity. It’s a space where stories, skills, and spiritual callings collide to shape bold, faith-driven leaders ready to impact the world with compassion and conviction.
**Who Should Attend**
College-aged mission/service minded young people, returned student missionaries or taskforce volunteers, University mission coordinators, chaplains and Spiritual Life VPs, University Presidents, NAD Conference and Union Administrators, NAD Conference and Union Youth and Young Adult Directors, International Division AVS Leaders, leaders of mission minded SDA institutional organizations and departments that are providing service opportunities or resources for volunteers.

**GOT YOUR OWN IDEAS? PITCH IT TO YG SHARK TANK!**
At YG we love to support your ideas to #BeJesus #BeYG! Click the above icon to find out more about YG’s Shark Tank and complete a proposal online!

**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

EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY

**SLEEPER AWAKE**
“Salvation is not a destination or your identity —it’s a Person.
So, I leave you with the question the Spirit asked me:
What are you doing with your salvation?
Are you awake?”
At @NADpastors eHuddle, Deirdre Rivera-Martin, BSN, RN, in candor confessed to sleepwalking in her salvation until the Holy Spirit roused her during the pandemic. Awakened to a renewed love affair with GOD, this admitted introvert was coaxed by the Holy Spirit to not only deepen her heart exploration of the Scripture, but to do the unthinkable — spark a LIFEgroup revolution in her church and community.
@stryder_rn introduced FLOURISH at eHuddle and its mission to foster discipleship pathways for Bible literacy and Heart intelligence. She testified to the life changing bonds curated on the digital landscape and Jesus’ desire for all to experience Him beyond head knowledge.
Baptism is not the end goal, but that “yes” opens the pathway to an eternal love affair. Deirdre elaborated:
“The goal is simple but radical:
To live beyond the “yes” — a life of continually falling in love with Him.
Not just instruction… not just encouragement…
Rather practical, hands-on guidance that turns head knowledge into a heart living out their ‘YES.’”
Find Deirdre’s presentation on @nadadventist YouTube:

**SEEKING OUR COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY STUDENTS**
YG is looking to connect with all our students in college, university, and trade school. We want to pray for you, cheer you on, and we’re hoping to send you a care package from home next semester. Click the above icon to share with us your contact info.

*If you are a parent, grandparent or relative of a student, we could use your help to connect with your collegian, trade school or grad student.* *tinyurl.com/YG2025students*

PURSUE GOD

LOVE IS IN THE AIR: LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE // SAT, 10:15AM [Central] // @YGCHURCH
God I'm Just Grateful, Made For More, Touch Of Heaven, King Of Kings #WorshipSet #Feb28 10:15AM [Central], https://tinyurl.com/yglivestream #ygchurch #LoveMonth

YG ELDER INDUCTION
In the Bible, an elder (Hebrew zaqen, Greek presbyteros) refers to a spiritually mature, respected leader responsible for overseeing, teaching, and shepherding a local congregation or community. They are tasked with protecting the church from false teachings, administering spiritual care, and setting a godly example.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” –1Corinthians 13:12-13 [NIV]

We are mesmerized by the reflections of love in our relationships. What can we learn about our GOD who is the best definition of Love? Join Younger Generation Church in their February 2026 series, Love is in the Air: The Greatest of These is Love. Saturdays, 10:15AM [Central], https://tinyurl.com/yglivestream

LOVE IS IN THE AIR: LESSONS THAT OUTLIVE CHILDHOOD // SAT, 10:15AM [Central] // @YGCHURCH
Jehovah, One More Day, Mercy, Trust In God #WorshipSet #Feb21 10:15AM [Central], tinyurl.com/yglivestream #ygchurch #LoveMonth

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” –1Corinthians 13:12-13 [NIV]

We are mesmerized by the reflections of love in our relationships. What can we learn about our GOD who is the best definition of Love? Join Younger Generation Church in their February 2026 series, Love is in the Air: The Greatest of These is Love. Saturdays, 10:15AM [Central], tinyurl.com/yglivestream

YG SPEAKER: RUBEN NAJERA
Pastor Ruben Najera is a senior theology major at Southwestern Adventist University. He was raised in California but came to Texas as fast as he could. His passion is ministry, especially working with the youth. Pastor Ruben is happily married to Heather Najera Cruz, and they have 4 wonderful kids. We’re delighted to have Pastor Ruben as one of our YG Pastoral Interns from SWAU. He shares, “My goal in ministry is to show the love of Jesus with everyone I encounter.”

COMING EVENTS

**QUIET HOUR MISSION TRIP // JUN 15-29 // MAUN, BOTSWANA**
You are invited to join a mission to Botswana and see how God can work through you and other young adults to share His saving grace. Day assignments include helping at health clinics and visiting in the various neighborhoods along with the gospel workers who have started Bible studies in advance of our meetings. In the evenings, we will present a sermon series and a children's program. It is always rewarding to see the people we first meet at a clinic come to the nightly meetings and perhaps make a life-altering decision for Christ.
Located along the Thamalakane River, Maun has grown rapidly from a rural cattle ranching town into the second-largest village in Botswana. Among the modern stores and safari operations, you will see local entrepreneurs selling from carts along with wild donkeys and goats that roam freely on the streets. Visit the QHM website for more information: qhministries.org

**ADVENTIST YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CONVENTION // AUG 20-23 // AUSTIN, TEXAS**
Next year’s AYP Convention promises to be great, so don’t delay to get your best price on the convention registration. Click the icon above!

**GATHER CONFERENCE // SEP 11-12, 2026 // ARLINGTON ADVENTIST CHURCH**
Gather is a Christian women’s conference rooted in God’s Word and centered on authentic community and spiritual transformation. It’s a space to worship, grow, be encouraged, and step deeper into your relationship with Christ.

To the woman who wants more. More depth, more truth, more connection. Highschool and up, every generation is welcome in the room. We can’t wait to gather again🤍

*Click the above icon to register.*

DIGITAL RESOURCES

**YG MEDIA ARCHIVES: THOUSANDS OF SERMONS & SERVICES ON DEMAND**
For inspiration and/or discipleship, on your own or with a group, take advantage of this vast collection of worship experiences and sermons from Younger Generation Church. Click the above icon to gain access to the YG Video Vault.

**YOUNGER GENERATION CHURCH ON YOUTUBE**
*Click the above icon for Younger Generation Church on YouTube*

*Click the above icon for your* *free subscription*.

DEFINING DOOR HOLDER

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:

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” —Psalm 84:10

Door Holders at Younger Generation Church have been on the inside and have experienced God’s glory, and therefore consider it a privilege to stand on the outside and hold the doors for others to come in and experience Jesus. In fact, they would rather hold the door than be anywhere else because their heartbeat has shifted away from themselves and is set on preparing the way for others to have a powerful experience with Jesus.

At Younger Generation Church, all faithful contributors are considered Door Holders — not just those who literally hold physical doors! From those who are serving in the background, to those who provide consistent financial support, to those serving from the stage, we all share the same heartbeat to open the door for others to experience Jesus.

HOLDING THE DOOR OPEN IS HOW WE WORSHIP

At the core of being a Door Holder is faith in the One we are serving that shifts the focus off of us. It’s not really about our comfort, our experience, or even us getting any recognition or acknowledgement. No task is too small, and no ask is too big. As Door Holders, we place others’ needs and experiences above our own because we believe that God can use us as His instruments as we see others encounter Him. We are wired to worship Jesus, and serving others, especially next generations, is in our DNA.

GRATITUDE

**CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 YG ELDER INDUCTEES**
So grateful for these influential young adults who have accepted a ministry leadership role at Younger Generation Church!

**WE’RE NOT LEAVING IT UP TO THE VILLAGE PEOPLE**
I am so deeply inspired in the wake of the 2nd installation of @ygchurch elders. I’m overflowing with gratitude for the faithful adults who have poured GOD’s goodness and guidance into the emerging generation of servant leaders for YG. Trying to capture this moment, I’m coining a new proverb:

***“It takes a Church to raise a young adult.”***

Parents are the first pastors of their child, along with the embrace of grace from mentors, peers, members, teachers, coaches, elders, family, and ministers, we as the body of Christ endeavor to Be Jesus in that young life. Why?

Because we know if we are faithful to train them up, they will not only stay true to the path, but they will also lead the way.

Congratulations to all our YG Elders! And thank you Church for being THE Church!
#ThisIsTheWayTheTruthTheLife #YoungAdultLIFE #BeJesus #BeYG

**NAD EHUDDLE**
The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists annually holds **eHuddle**, a strategic gathering of church leaders, administrators, evangelists, and best practice ministries, setting the vision for the entire territory of the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Micronesia, and Guam.
We were so grateful that our Deirdre Rivera-Martin had the opportunity to be a best practice presenter for this event held in Houston last week.

Deirdre said this about the opportunity, “I would like to share my gratitude with the eHuddle team. This was my first time to participate in such extraordinary event and caliber of leadership and speakers. I did not have a complete understanding of the role and importance of this gathering. What an honor and privilege to participate. . . I walked away enriched and for the better. My heart is full.”

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