Many young adult leaders, parents, and adult members are eager to discover ways to engage and empower young adults in ministry and create meaningful bonds with local church life. So often, they are at a loss as to where to start or how to begin building relationships. The Young Adult LIFE Tour intends to bring insights and relevant, doable steps toward building young adult ministry now. The tour affords an introduction to Young Adult LIFE, the NAD’s young adult discipleship framework giving focus to: Leadership Impact, Intergenerational Relationships, Faith Development, and Everyday Compassion.
LOS ANGELES YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOUR
Hosted by the Eagle Rock Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastors Geoff Sewell and Randy Hill, facilitated the weekend featuring Dr. Steven Argue as the principal trainer and Sabbath morning speaker.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOUR
Hosted by the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastors Benji Ferguson, Eddie Heinrich, and Randy Hill, facilitated the weekend featuring Dr. Steven Argue as the principal trainer and Sabbath morning speaker.
The weekend included great conversations Friday evening, meals, socials, and a young adult panel discussion for Sabbath School.
ARIZONA YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOUR
Hosted by the Camelback Seventh-day Adventist Church in Phoenix, Arizona, Pastor Michael Soto, Young Adult Ministries Director for the Arizona Conference, facilitated the weekend featuring Benjamin Lundquist, Oregon Conference Young Adult Director. Pastor Ben was the featured speaker Sabbath morning.
The tour stop included Friday night discussions and fellowship, great meals and community, a seminar on Primal Questions, and a young adult panel for Sabbath School.
LAKE UNION YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOUR
Hosted by the historic Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chicago, Illinois, the Lake Union Young Adult LIFE Tour was facilitated by Dr. James Doggette, Jr., Lake Region Young Adult Ministries Director, who delivered a rousing sermon Sabbath morning.
The day was filled with great fellowship and meals, insightful seminars, a worship concert, and a panel discussion with young adults and young professionals.
NORTH PACIFIC UNION YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOUR
Hosted at Pleasant Valley Church in Oregon, the North Pacific Union Young Adult LIFE Tour featured Dr. Steven Argue as the principal trainer and speaker. An array of young adults, ministry directors, also took part in the powerful conversations and sessions, including Pastor Benjamin Lundquist and worship leader, Robert Leslie, Jr. Click here or the above link to view all the tour sessions on YouTube.
MID-AMERICA UNION YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOUR
“On the Shoulders of Giants” — Pastor Benjamin Lundquist
Benjamin Lundquist is one of the leading voices for young adult ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He currently serves as the Young Adult Ministries Director for the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as well as coaching and mentoring ministry leadership across the nation and abroad. Ben leads innovative projects like the Growing Together Cohort for the North Pacific Union, and is instrumental to the North American Division’s Young Adult LIFE initiative. He is passionate about inspiring and equipping people – especially university students and young professionals – to become growing followers of Jesus and effective leaders for His cause.
“Plans, Pressure, and Purpose” — Pastor Benjamin Lundquist
Benjamin Lundquist is one of the leading voices for young adult ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He currently serves as the Young Adult Ministries Director for the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as well as coaching and mentoring ministry leadership across the nation and abroad. Ben leads innovative projects like the Growing Together Cohort for the North Pacific Union, and is instrumental to the North American Division’s Young Adult LIFE initiative. He is passionate about inspiring and equipping people – especially university students and young professionals – to become growing followers of Jesus and effective leaders for His cause.
Various panels and seminars from the tour stop captured courtesy of Adventist Learning Community.
SOUTHERN UNION YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOUR
“The Soldier, the Athlete, and the Farmer” — Dr. Steven Argue
Pastor Steven Argue, PhD is Associate Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and the Applied Research Strategist at the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI). He has worked in multiple ministry contexts as a youth pastor, parachurch leader, pastoral team leader. He researches, speaks, consults, and writes regularly on topics surrounding adolescence, emerging adulthood, faith, and spiritual struggle.
@smcyoungadults is comprised of emerging adults from throughout metro-Orlando passionate about Christ-centered discipleship, serving, and connecting. They are invested in creating opportunities for young adults to engage in fellowship with one another as they come into a deeper understanding of Christ’s love & plan for each one of them.
Whether it be through picnics or special activities, being involved with @smcyoungadults connects you to a larger picture of Spring Meadows. Being service-minded and relationship-driven, you are bound to connect with individuals around the love of Jesus.
“Young Adult Bible Study Group” — Pastor Chandler Tarbox and Xavier Moss
Pastor Chandler Tarbox is the Young Adult Pastor at the Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church in Central Florida. He has served in this capacity for the past three years. Married to Sabrina, they met at Camp Yorktown Bay in Arkansas, where they worked together for five years. He’s from New Mexico, born in Walla Walla, Washington, went to school at Southern Adventist University, started at Southwestern Adventist University; Did a semester of ACA in Spain. Pastor Chandler enjoys water sports, having done a decent amount of wake boarding, but mostly enjoys surfing behind the boat nowadays.
Artist and art educator, Xavier Moss has curated a vibrant weekly Friday night Bible study with young adults at Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church. He and Pastor Chandler talk about it’s development, young adult empowerment, and the importance of mentoring.
“Home Gatherings” — Pastor Chandler Tarbox and Renee Fogg
Pastor Chandler Tarbox is the Young Adult Pastor at the Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church in Central Florida. He has served in this capacity for the past three years. Married to Sabrina, they met at Camp Yorktown Bay in Arkansas, where they worked together for five years. He’s from New Mexico, born in Walla Walla, Washington, went to school at Southern Adventist University, started at Southwestern Adventist University; Did a semester of ACA in Spain. Pastor Chandler enjoys water sports, having done a decent amount of wake boarding, but mostly enjoys surfing behind the boat nowadays.
For over a decade, Renee Fogg has been leading “Home Gatherings” at Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church where her intentionality has seen hundreds of young adults build meaningful relational connections with church member families.
“Conduits of Comfort” — Pastor Lindsay Syeh
Pastor Lindsay Syeh serves as the Director of Young Adults, and Adventist Christian Fellowship at Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. During her ministry at Southeastern Conference, Pastor @lindsaysyeh has had the privilege of trailblazing in her role as pastor, chaplain, and departmental leader. She has served as an Associate, Senior and Assistant Pastor, as well as an Academy and University Chaplain.
“Your Twenties Matter” — Pastor Greg & Kim Taylor
Pastor Greg & Kim Taylor lead youth and young adult ministry for the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Pastor Greg currently is serving as the Southern Union Youth and Young Adult Director along with his wife Kim who serves as the Southern Union Youth and Young Adult Coordinator. Along with the adventures of being a youth director, Greg enjoys running, playing basketball, playing guitar and spending time with his beautiful family! Kim can often be found exercising, reading, playing piano or just catching up with friends. Together they are passionate about sharing Jesus and making disciples for Him.
PACIFIC UNION YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOUR
Filip Milosavljevic is the young adult pastor at LLUC, as well as an adjunct professor at the Loma Linda University [LLU] School of Religion. He completed his doctoral dissertation entitled “Growing Young Adventists” at Fuller Seminary researching what creates thriving churches that young adults love. He completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees at the Theological Seminary at Andrews University. His wife is a radiology resident at LLU Medical Center and an avid gardener. They have three precious children (4, 2 and under 1). Filip loves spending time with his family, playing basketball, writing, speaking, and going on adventures.
Praxis Ministry is the young adult ministry of the Loma Linda University Church, where worshiping Jesus, growing in biblical truth, and holding to authenticity, community, and sacrifice are key values for discipleship. As young adults are collectively fulfilling the great commission of Jesus, Praxis aims to learn and know the deep love of Jesus and put it into practice.
Praxis Ministry is the young adult ministry of the Loma Linda University Church, where worshiping Jesus, growing in biblical truth, and holding to authenticity, community, and sacrifice are key values for discipleship. As young adults are collectively fulfilling the great commission of Jesus, Praxis aims to learn and know the deep love of Jesus and put it into practice.
“The Pain in Adventism” — Pastor Kelly Dickinson
Pastor Kelly Lin Dickinson is a young adult intern pastor at Loma Linda University Church. She loves working with young adults, especially women, and empowering them to live freely and creatively in God’s love. Kelly is newly married to the love of her life, Logan, and she enjoys cycling, good coffee, and spending time with friends and family.
“The Future of Adventism: Sabbath” — Chaplain Derek Glatts
Derek Glatts is a 5th generation Adventist who works as a chaplain at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He is passionate about grief recovery and mental healthcare. In his free time he loves rock climbing, mountaineering, Astronomy, and bonsai. Derek will be answering the topic of, What is the future of Adventism?
“Where Do I Belong?” — Pastor Aren Rennacker
Aren Rennacker was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. He became an Adventist as a teenager thanks to the incredible influence of his church and academy. After graduating from Pacific Union College with a degree in Journalism, he served as a youth and young adult pastor at two wonderful SECC churches, Calimesa and Oceanside, while completing his Masters of Theological Studies from La Sierra University. In 2019, Aren became Director of Youth Ministries for the SECC, a position he cherishes. Aren loves connecting with pastors, speaking to young people, and serving the youth ministries leaders of our conference. His greatest passion is to empower youth and young adults to live the Gospel in new and relevant ways. Aside from ministry, Aren also enjoys basketball, stories, and a fresh bowl of oatmeal. He and his lovely wife Paige were married in 2020.
SOUTHWESTERN UNION YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOUR
Steven Argue, PhD (Michigan State University), is Associate Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and the Applied Research Strategist at the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI). He has worked in multiple ministry contexts as a youth pastor, parachurch leader, pastoral team leader at Mars Hill Bible Church (Grand Rapids, MI), and has served on the board for the Association of Youth Ministry Educators. He researches, speaks, consults, and writes regularly on topics surrounding adolescence, emerging adulthood, faith, and spiritual struggle.
He has authored Young Adult Ministry Now (2022, Fuller Youth Institute) and co-authored three other books: Sticky Faith Innovation: How Your Compassion, Creativity, and Courage Can Support Teenagers’ Lasting Faith (2021, Fuller Youth Institute); Growing With: Every Parent’s Guide to Helping Teenagers and Young Adults Thrive in Their Faith, Family, and Future (2019, Baker); and 18 Plus: Parenting Your Emerging Adults (2018, Orange, The reThink Group, Inc.). He is a contributor to The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Contemporary Christianity in the United States (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022), Joy: A Guide for Youth Ministry (Wesley’s Foundery Books, 2020), and Adoptive Youth Ministry: Integrating Emerging Generations into the Family of Faith (Baker Academic, 2016).
Steve lives in Southern California, eats vegetarian, and runs marathons. He’s @stevenargue on social media platforms.
Danielle Quaye’s sole purpose in life is to glorify God in all things and point others to Him. Dani is a daughter, sister, aunt, student, and online content creator. After receiving her bachelors in linguistics, she taught English abroad at the Seventh-day Adventist English language school in Seoul, South Korea. She is currently pursuing her PhD in linguistics. Danielle has a passion for teaching languages, but more importantly, for spreading the word of God, and for personal Bible, study and evangelism.
During her missionary service in South Korea, Dani was active with Kainos English Church, a church plant at SDA Sahmyook Language School. As an undergrad, Dani served as an officer for Adventist Christian Fellowship-University of Texas Arlington. Active in her local church, she created @foundation.yg a young adult LIFEgroup, served as media director, and was mentored in the @ygchurch lead team.
Younger Generation Church is the vibrant young adult ministry of the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, Texas. Pursuing intimacy with GOD, experiencing community with each other, and inspiring those around them with the hope of grace — @ygchurch is all about deepening their devotion to Christ Jesus.
Pastor Justin Yang is the Young Adult Ministries Director for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Born in Seoul, Korea, and raised on United States soil, Justin Yang has served children, youth, campus, young adult, senior and inter-generational ministries in various parts of the world for over 20 years. He started preaching at three years old, got baptized at seven and received the call the ministry at the age of 16.
Yang’s first international mission trip was to San Paulo, Venezuela, with Maranatha Volunteers. He was the youngest student missionary to be sent to India through the 1000 Missionary Movement.
He also served as a chaplain (also a cook and transportation admin) in the Korean army while conscientiously objecting to bearing arms like Desmond Doss.
Yang is a proud graduate of both Sahmyook University, South Korea, and the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan; He is the beaming dad to Enoch and Stella and a grateful husband to Iris who said “Yes!” Together, they have a dream to see all of our local Seventh-day Adventist churches becoming the best place for all generations to grow together.
Meeting the call of local churches for training and guidance in developing young adult ministry, Young Adult LIFE Tour aims to equip and empower local churches across the North American Division.
Future Young Adult LIFE Tour stops include Atlantic Union, Southern Union, and the Adventist Church in Canada.
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