Introducing the young adult discipleship framework across the North American Division, the Young Adult LIFE Tour seeks to be innovative and interactive, holding tour stops in local Adventist churches across the division where vibrant young adult ministry is thriving and bringing vitality to the whole congregation. Last Fall, making a tour stop at the historic Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chicago forged new ground in collaboration with Lake Union and Lake Region Conference.
The Sabbath began with a panel discussion moderated by bi-vocational pastor, Claudia Allen, who drew young adults into a thoughtful exploration of their role in church and community. Panelists tackled issues like church engagement, leadership opportunities, and the desire for authentic spiritual experiences. Allen’s adept moderation encouraged honest dialogue, highlighting concerns about generational divides and the need for a church culture that embraces both traditional values and fresh perspectives.
“Young adults want to be involved,” shared Zakia Jarrett a young professional with the Lake Region Conference. “They want a church that not only accepts them but empowers them.”
In his sermon, Dr. James Doggette Jr., Lake Region Conference Young Adult Director, spoke passionately about the need to “prioritize people over policies,” urging the congregation to support young adults through empathy, mentorship, and active discipleship.
“What if I told you that young adults are not just a cog in the religious machine, but they are indispensable to the work of Christ?” Doggette asked, issuing the call for a church culture rooted in compassion and relationships over mere tradition.
The afternoon featured four seminars designed to offer practical guidance and support for young adults navigating both spiritual and professional spheres. Each seminar addressed real-world issues facing young adults and provided them with strategies to strengthen their faith while leading meaningful lives. The Sabbath ended on a high note with a concert by the Branch Worship Collective composed of and led by young adults from the Andrews University community.
“We had a great time in worship and fellowship,” reflected Doggette. “The Young Adult LIFE Tour gives Adventist young adults a platform to explore their faith and build a church culture that is welcoming and inclusive for generations to come.”
The momentum continues to build as tour stops emerge across the nation and beyond. Arizona Young Adult Ministries, known by the acronym, AZYA, has spawned a resurgence in young adult activity across Arizona. This past Winter they held a young adult retreat followed by the Pacific Union Young Adult Life Tour making a stop in Phoenix.
In panel discussions, sermons, and seminars, Pastor Benjamin Lundquist focused on finding your calling and purpose and on how to be a Christian young adult in an ever-changing world.
“I am seeing more young adults from the English- and Spanish-speaking churches connecting,” shared Lili Corrales, who works as the administrative assistant in the Young Adult Ministries Department at the Arizona Conference and is a young adult herself. “It is not just the English churches and not just the Spanish churches; It is the Brazilian churches, the Filipino-American churches, and the African-American churches. We want to get everyone connected.”
The Young Adult LIFE Tour is invested in more than just specialty programming or highlight weekends. The tour intends to create impactful leadership investments for growth and spiritual connection.
“I have seen a few people who have left the church come back,” Corrales continued. “The community has been growing. Efforts like the Young Adult LIFE Tour are bringing young adults out of the woodwork, bringing them together.”
Many church 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; But 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 overarching tour goal is to equip the generations with the knowledge and tools for engaging each other, growing together in the local church context.
The new year brings the tour to Pacific Union in the Northern California Conference, February 14-15, 2025. The Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sacramento will host, with Dr. Steven Argue being the principal presenter. Free registration is available at youngadultlife.com. Continuing to forge new ground, plans are being laid for tour stops in Canada Summer of 2025, as well as an October tour stop in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information go to youngadultlife.com.
Article by Young Adult LIFE in collaboration with Stanton Witherspoon and Jeff Rogers
Growing Together 