Growing Together is a learning journey for local churches and leaders helping to build faith communities that will not only survive, but thrive in the years ahead. It is an inter-generational movement nurturing relationship building and cultural transformation that embraces young people and benefits all generations in the Adventist church.
We want to cheer, support, and resource congregations who desire the vitality of our young people and the great relationships they bring.
CHEER: We celebrate great Adventist people in warm churches who are building wholesome, authentic relationships with young people.
SUPPORT: We nurture Adventist churches and organizations who desire to grow together with the collective experience and shared wisdom of ministry leaders, point people, passionate volunteers, and emerging generations.
RESOURCE: We equip growing together communities by supplying mentoring, materials, and ministry training that help Adventists love next generations better.
2024 is developing into a banner year for Growing Together. Here are just a few of the highlights:
2024 DMIN COHORT: INTERGENERATIONAL CHURCH
The Doctor of Ministry Intergenerational Church concentration out of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary began a new cohort this Spring, with their first course intensives being held March at Loma Linda University. Under the guidance of Dr. Steve Case, the concentration coordinator, they are off to a great start with doctoral students from all over the world.
BUILT LIVE PODCAST
DIVING DEEP INTO YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY WITH DR. STEVEN ARGUE // APRIL 2, 7:00PM EDT // BUILT LIVE PODCAST
BUILT Live Ep #06 – Young Adult Ministry Now – Part 1
Join Pastor Juan Rodriguez for the highly anticipated 6th episode of BUILT Live, featuring Dr. Steven Argue, Associate Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and Applied Research Strategist at the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI).
Premiering live on Wednesday, April 2nd at 7:00 PM EDT, this is the first of a two-part conversation exploring Dr. Argue’s groundbreaking book, “Young Adult Ministry Now.”
In this episode, we’ll tackle:
– The unique challenges and opportunities of reaching emerging adults (ages 18-30)
– Practical strategies for building thriving young adult ministries in your church
– Fresh insights on fostering spiritual growth and leadership development in young adults
PLUS! Don’t miss your chance to win a FREE copy of Dr. Argue’s book, “Young Adult Ministry Now”! Register for the exclusive Backstage Experience for a chance to win and gain deeper insights from Dr. Argue himself. Register today!
Growing Together Summits
“We are in process for the “Growing Together” training and certification. We have nearly 30 participants training including Spanish, English, and Bilingual pastors and church leaders from Southwestern Union and Lake Union with guidance from the North Pacific Union.
April will feature Growing Together Summits organized by Elder Helvis Moody in Houston and Oklahoma City. These events will include both Spanish and English. Then, we will be ready to begin the first Spanish cohort in the second semester of 2024. Meanwhile, we are keeping the enthusiasm going with the over 30 churches that participated in the first Southwestern Union Creciendo Juntos Summit.” –Pastor Osvaldo Rigacci
Click the below icons to register for the upcoming Growing Together Summit of your choice.
Creciendo Juntos
CRECIENDO JUNTOS
CreciendoJuntos es una iniciativa de la Unión del Suroeste con el propósito de ver nuestros jóvenes y líderes crecer juntos en nuestras iglesias, y a la vez ver a nuestras iglesias florecer en sus comunidades. Te invitamos como Unión con cada una de nuestras cinco Conferencias, a participar de esta necesaria y maravillosa iniciativa.
El propósito principal es formar y desarrollar a nuestros jóvenes en las diferentes áreas del liderazgo de nuestras congregaciones. Se contextualizan nuestras necesidades y el alcance de nuestra misión, permitiendo que los adultos puedan establecer vínculos de amistad y mentoría con las generaciones más jóvenes, en nuestro contexto, especialmente con las segunda y tercera generación de hispanos.
Este proyecto se lleva a cabo primordialmente en un programa de por lo menos dos años. Durante ese tiempo se capacita e instruye a nuestras iglesias para dar oportunidad, responsabilidad y autoridad a cuántos más jóvenes como sea posible. Se abren oportunidades de integración y participación en un ambiente familiar de comprensión, sincera comunicación, aceptación y camaradería. Esto permite un sano crecimiento intergeneracional y a la vez facilita el cumplimiento de nuestra misión y la expansión del reino de Dios. Los animamos, para que al inscribirse, se aseguren de que haya un compromiso del liderazgo de cada congregación a invertir, esfuerzo y tiempo para llevar adelante este proceso, no como un programa adicional más, sino como una fuerza generadora de recursos humanos juveniles integrados a todo ministerio de nuestras iglesias. Por otro lado, esto ayudará a que podamos motivar, retener y alcanzar más jóvenes que constituyan nuestra vanguardia en el movimiento final hasta el regreso de Jesús.
Growing Together Cohort
GROWING TOGETHER COHORT UPDATE
A new Growing Together Cohort is slated to open in 2025. In the meantime, learn more about the Growing Together Cohort, a robust, multi-year learning journey to build thriving Seventh-day Adventist Churches for all generations. Over 250 churches in the North American Division have participated with dozens more overseas. The next cohort begins 2025. Click the above icon for more information.
RESOURCES
Growing Together Church Curriculum
Growing Together Church Curriculum is excited to introduce our latest offering, the 2024 Pastoral Resources Line. This resource includes thematic sermon graphics, social media templates, weekly summaries, and a yearly sermonic schedule, designed to support busy pastors and unite the entire church community. Our recently enhanced app interface ensures easy access to youth and children’s devotional videos, and we’re also in the process of developing a young adult curriculum and an interactive, music-based class for 0-2 year-olds. For any feedback, questions, or to request a free trial of our curriculum, reach out to us at info@growingtogether.church. Stay connected as we continue to grow together!
In Grandpa’s Shoes: An Invitation to Intergenerational Connection
RUNNERS. PASTORS. In Grandpa’s Shoes shares how the example and encouragement of one man, Eric Webster, influenced the life and calling of his granddaughter, Raewyn Orlich. Weaving their stories together, each chapter looks honestly at topics like health, human suffering, race, gender, and faith.
A Bible passage and reflection questions that can be used in intergenerational study groups are included at the end of each chapter. Previous small group participants, ages 13-96, describe the 13-week experience as “profoundly moving,” “inspirational,” and “extremely valuable.” One said, “I was able to form a friendship with a much younger person that has added great blessings to both of us long after the group ended.”
In an age that feels more divided than any of us remember, we need safe space for connection, whatever our ages. This tool will help you facilitate that connection. Click the above icon or here to order from AdventSource.
Gift for You
FREE GIFT: GROWING YOUNG AUDIO BOOK
Do you enjoy audio books as you travel, during your workouts, or on your commute? “Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church.” is our audio book gift to you, in hopes you will consider sharing it with your ministry context.
Click the above icon for the Growing Young Audiobook
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Hard copy available from AdventSource in English and Spanish.
GROWING TOGETHER PODCAST
As you travel home, enjoy listening to the “Growing Together” Podcast. Insightful interviews hosted by social influencer, Justin Khoe. Guests include: Dr. Heather Thompson Day, Author Jake Mulder, Pastor Ben Lundquist, and many more.
Click the above icon to listen to Growing Together Podcast.
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PRAY TOGETHER
As you return home, something you can implement, almost immediately to begin Growing Together, is to pray together. The Growing Young Adventists prayer guide offers daily reflections and Bible focal points for you and your church to engage in the days to come.
Click the above icon for the GYA Prayer Guide
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SERMONS ON DEMAND
How might we become a church where all generations grow and thrive together? Inspiring, Biblical sermons are available on demand to inspire you, but also encourage you to do a “Growing Together” sermon series for your congregation/s.
Click the above icon for GYA Sermons & Presentations
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CRECIENDO JUNTOS VIDEOS
The Southwestern Union Young Adult and Multicultural Ministries Departments have partnered to provide videos on Growing Together in Spanish. We hosted a Growing Together summit to bring awareness of what Growing Together is and how it can be a blessing to your local congregation. We started with devotion from Pastor Osvaldo Rigacci.
We also have a total of 6 presentations that explain the details of each building block. We had three main presenters who presented twice. Pastor David Craig led out in presentations #2 and #5, then we had Pastor Barrientos led out in presentations #3 and #6 and then we had Pastor Revollo who led out in presentations #4 and #7. Please take time to watch and enjoy and process these videos. We believe that if our churches embrace these concepts, we will grow stronger together. May God bless us as we work together for the glory of God. Click the above icon or here to view videos.
Published Media
YOUNG ADULTS: THEIR FUTURE, OUR FUTURE
Revitalize your young adult ministry! Uncover essential strategies and practical tips in our latest article. Perfect for church leaders seeking to strengthen connections with the next generation. Read now for impactful guidance: Young adults: Their future, our future.
Author, Filip Milosavljevic, DMin, is the young adult pastor at Loma Linda University Church, Loma Linda, California, United States. The basis of Filip’s article is his dissertation research analyzing Seventh-day Adventist participants in the Growing Young Assessment.
“Tea Talks” is a video series in which we conduct interviews with young adults hailing from diverse backgrounds, engaging in conversations centered around their lives and their experiences with the church. The primary objective of this series is to earnestly listen to their unfiltered opinions and narratives, gaining valuable insights from their perspectives, and discerning the necessary steps for us to collectively learn how to Grow Together.
Growing Together 