Did you know that Isaac Newton was a college student during the Great Plague of London in 1665? Although it would take another 200 years for doctors to understand what caused the sickness, folks had enough sense to send students home to practice social-distancing. Back in London, a fourth of the population would die of…

You’ve probably noticed the various ministries, church growth specialists, and spiritual experts seeking to help the local church through the COVID-19 crisis. For many unsuspecting church leaders, the coronavirus can feel like they are staring into the abyss of uncertainty, and who can blame them? It is an unsettling time, and our church leaders need…

We are poised for the pandemic. Although the worldwide COVID-19 breakout provides more than enough opportunity for foreboding and dismal news, in many ways Adventists have been preparing and are poised to be agents of hope in times such as this. As evidenced in our name alone, our anticipation of Jesus’ soon arrival can be…

February of 2020, Australian Growing Together Summit was launched at multiple locations across the country, with over 600 local church leaders and pastors coming together over two weekends – Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. In an ambitious endeavor to share the summit across the entire continent, the Growing Together team synchronized broadcasts between the summit…

In 2017, the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists [SECC] with the full support of their administration and under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Park, SECC Executive Secretary, embarked on an innovative evangelism project. Funded by SECC in partnership with Evangelism Endowment funds from the Pacific Union, the project allowed SECC churches to get creative…

Yearly young adult ministry retreats can serve as “keystone events,” helping to create momentum and rhythms for conference level and local church calendars. The goal is to use these retreats to funnel momentum and energy back to the local church, as well as connect young adults who are currently not plugged in, by giving them…

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love tacos. My favorites are carne asada and fish tacos. I love tacos with not a whole bunch of toppings, just cilantro, onion, guacamole and of course salsa. Simple but delicious. They taste even better if the tortillas are made from scratch. I recently told my wife, “After…

The headlines and headcounts all herald that “young people have left the building” when it comes to church. Likely you too have sensed the fading of young faces from faith life. Granted, you run into students and young professionals you know and love at almost every intersection of everyday life. But when it comes to…

As a high school student, I loved to go to leadership camp where we had opportunity to do all kinds of team building activities and group dynamic exercises. A fun one involved a large steel drum riddled with holes, where teams would attempt to fill the drum with as much water as possible. It was…

Most of my childhood was spent in Florida, United States, which is known as the Sunshine State. As a kid I was always amazed during the height of winter when we locals would be layered and bundled, that visitors would be in shorts and flip flops—some even enjoying the beach or swimming in a pool….

With “Growing Together in Christ” as their theme, the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists [SECC] has embarked on an ambitious multi-faceted endeavor which includes, ENGAGE. We ENGAGE next generation leaders as a welcoming Christian community, through thriving ministries for youth and young adults, and in the development of leadership opportunities to serve that shape our…

“Change is Possible” – Adventist Northwest Growing Young Cohort. Pastor Dustin Serns shares the story of growth, change, and hope that is taking place at the Port Orchard Seventh-day Adventist Church in the North Pacific Union. Through God’s leading this church is on journey from surviving to thriving. This “growing young” story can be the…

“Together we can make our communities better” – Adventist Northwest Growing Young Cohort. Pastor Marquis Johns, of the North Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church, shares a powerful story of life change involving a young man named Lionel. Through God’s leading local churches can become safe, warm, and welcoming environments for everyone to feel loved and empowered…

If you frequent Adventist circles often, chances are you’ve heard mention of the Growing Young Adventists movement. Based on research conducted by the Fuller Youth Institute, Growing Young directly addresses the widening gap in communication between older and younger generations, equipping local church leadership with education, training, and a practical strategy for revitalizing their congregations….

Last Fall, Kristi Reeves was part of a team from the San Marcos Seventh-day Adventist Church to attend the Growing Together Summit held in San Antonio.  Her team as well as teams from over 20 other churches embraced core commitments that can make a church a great place to grow.  One of these commitments, “Keychain…

Across the Seventh-day Adventist Church landscape, Growing Young Adventists is being shared with congregations, pastors, local church leaders, ministry professionals, educators, and church administrators.  Throughout the North American Division and beyond, the interest grows for loving next generations better, and making our church the best place for all generations to grow. Here is a limited…