14 Aug 2026, 13:06SM CommunicationsValencia, Spain
33 Young People from Scotland Join European Adventist Youth Congress
Thirty-three young people from across Scotland joined thousands of Adventist youth from across Europe in Valencia, Spain, for the European Adventist Youth Congress (AYC26), held from 4–8 August.
Held at Feria Valencia and organised jointly by the Inter-European and Trans-European Divisions, AYC is the largest gathering of Adventist youth in Europe. This year's congress brought over 3,500 young people together for five days of worship, spiritual growth, fellowship and cultural exchange.
Under the theme Made for More, the congress invited young people to explore their identity and purpose through three central ideas – Belonging, Believing and Becoming – encouraging them to consider who they belong to, what they believe and who God has created them to become.
Throughout the week, participants gathered for morning and evening worship, small-group Bible study and workshops, alongside a varied programme of sports, music, creative and social activities, opportunities to explore Valencia, and dedicated spaces for prayer and reflection.
Among the 33 young people who travelled from Scotland was Chanelle Zabate, who described her first AYC experience as “life-changing”. Staying in the tented accommodation gave her opportunities to meet young people from different countries, learn about their cultures and have what she described as “long, genuine conversations”.
“I really enjoyed the workshops and learned a lot from them. I think the Exhibition of Nations was a great way to understand and learn more about different cultures. What I liked most was that there was something for everyone – sports, music and other activities, as well as a day lounge where you could relax, play games and meet people.”
For Chanelle, some of the most significant experiences were the opportunities to connect with God and worship alongside thousands of other young Adventists.
“There was a prayer room where you could connect with God and be away from the noise, which was such a blessing. Everything was so well thought out and detailed.”
Gathering each morning and evening for worship also gave her a new appreciation of the wider Adventist community beyond Scotland.
“After this, I truly felt part of the huge Adventist family we have in Europe.”
For Scottish Mission Youth Sponsor Crystal Masih, who attended AYC for the first time, the congress theme became increasingly personal as the week progressed.
“It was a beautiful experience. The theme Made for More was so timely for me, as well as for the young people, and I feel I understand what it means in a much deeper way after attending this event.
Knowing who I am, who I belong to and that I was made for more has changed my thinking. I feel more positive about my life and purpose on earth, and I feel that I have grown to know my Heavenly Father even more.”
Psalm 139:7–14 provided a recurring biblical foundation throughout the week, reminding participants of God's presence and care, and of the assurance that each person is “fearfully and wonderfully made”.
For Crystal, that message strengthened her desire to help young people understand their identity and value in Christ.
“I want to share Jesus' love with the youth. I want them to know that no matter what they've done, what their past is or how much shame they carry, they belong to God. They are His, and they were made for more.
Nothing they can do can stop the love that God has for them. They belong to Him and were created by Him.”
For the 33 young people who travelled from Scotland, AYC26 offered an opportunity to experience the wider Adventist community, develop new friendships, deepen their relationship with God and consider afresh their identity and purpose.
For Chanelle, the message she brought home was captured in the theme that had accompanied them throughout the week:
“After the event, I truly feel like I was made for more in this world. I would do it all over again. I look forward to the next one.”
Thirty-three young people from across Scotland joined thousands of Adventist youth from across Europe in Valencia, Spain, for the European Adventist Youth Congress (AYC26), held from 4–8 August.
Held at Feria Valencia and organised jointly by the Inter-European and Trans-European Divisions, AYC is the largest gathering of Adventist youth in Europe. This year's congress brought over 3,500 young people together for five days of worship, spiritual growth, fellowship and cultural exchange.
Under the theme Made for More, the congress invited young people to explore their identity and purpose through three central ideas – Belonging, Believing and Becoming – encouraging them to consider who they belong to, what they believe and who God has created them to become.
Throughout the week, participants gathered for morning and evening worship, small-group Bible study and workshops, alongside a varied programme of sports, music, creative and social activities, opportunities to explore Valencia, and dedicated spaces for prayer and reflection.
Among the 33 young people who travelled from Scotland was Chanelle Zabate, who described her first AYC experience as “life-changing”. Staying in the tented accommodation gave her opportunities to meet young people from different countries, learn about their cultures and have what she described as “long, genuine conversations”.
“I really enjoyed the workshops and learned a lot from them. I think the Exhibition of Nations was a great way to understand and learn more about different cultures. What I liked most was that there was something for everyone – sports, music and other activities, as well as a day lounge where you could relax, play games and meet people.”
For Chanelle, some of the most significant experiences were the opportunities to connect with God and worship alongside thousands of other young Adventists.
“There was a prayer room where you could connect with God and be away from the noise, which was such a blessing. Everything was so well thought out and detailed.”
Gathering each morning and evening for worship also gave her a new appreciation of the wider Adventist community beyond Scotland.
“After this, I truly felt part of the huge Adventist family we have in Europe.”
For Scottish Mission Youth Sponsor Crystal Masih, who attended AYC for the first time, the congress theme became increasingly personal as the week progressed.
“It was a beautiful experience. The theme Made for More was so timely for me, as well as for the young people, and I feel I understand what it means in a much deeper way after attending this event.
Knowing who I am, who I belong to and that I was made for more has changed my thinking. I feel more positive about my life and purpose on earth, and I feel that I have grown to know my Heavenly Father even more.”
Psalm 139:7–14 provided a recurring biblical foundation throughout the week, reminding participants of God's presence and care, and of the assurance that each person is “fearfully and wonderfully made”.
For Crystal, that message strengthened her desire to help young people understand their identity and value in Christ.
“I want to share Jesus' love with the youth. I want them to know that no matter what they've done, what their past is or how much shame they carry, they belong to God. They are His, and they were made for more.
Nothing they can do can stop the love that God has for them. They belong to Him and were created by Him.”
For the 33 young people who travelled from Scotland, AYC26 offered an opportunity to experience the wider Adventist community, develop new friendships, deepen their relationship with God and consider afresh their identity and purpose.
For Chanelle, the message she brought home was captured in the theme that had accompanied them throughout the week:
“After the event, I truly feel like I was made for more in this world. I would do it all over again. I look forward to the next one.”
