"Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8) This year's Youth Day of Fellowship has served as a meaningful response to this question, drawing over 90 young people from across the Scottish Mission to gather at East Kilbride. According to Pastor Claudiu, the SM Youth Sponsor, the theme - “ Step up”- was a request of the SM youth leaders, who, at the last advisory ,felt strongly that it’s time for a shift in the way youth issues are addressed and that a transitional strategy is essential to guide young people away from a consumerist mindset and towards active participation. Over the years, it’s become evident that long-standing church members who have shouldered responsibilities for decades, are now confronting the inevitable challenges of aging or illness. Sadly, some have passed away, leaving significant gaps in the smooth functioning of local churches. Recognising this, it was felt that now is the time for action, hence the theme “Step Up”. It’s safe to say that Warren Gillin’s, the SEC Youth Director, message raised well above the expectations of the audience.
Early on Sabbath morning, a group of youth arrived to set up the AV equipment. Among them, a smaller group sought to utilise the waiting time before the program started in a meaningful manner. They extended an invitation to the SM Prayer Sponsor to lead them in a session of prayer. Encouraging the youth to draw nearer to God, the prayers sought His inspiration and blessings, including the fruits of the Holy Spirit and the gifts and talents necessary to fulfil their mission for His glory. The prayers resonated deeply with those present, proving to be a profound blessing for all in attendance.
Before Pastor Warren Gillin delivered the main message, focusing on the calling of Samuel from 1 Samuel 18 and urging everyone to "Step Up" from their current spiritual state to deepen their commitment to God in their daily lives, small group discussions took place on various topics. These discussions encompassed reflections on factors that have positively and negatively impacted one's spiritual life, methods for measuring spiritual growth, strategies for overcoming negative church experiences, motivations for seeking a relationship with Christ, and more.
The morning continued with further prayer, focusing on the themes of health, education/career, relationships, and spiritual growth. In the afternoon Pr. Warren Gilles delivered a short message in which he invited the young people to surrender their lives to God’s leading, to take up their cross and to follow Jesus.
To finish the day, the young people organised workshops with the following themes:
- Memory game - to remind everyone of their best memories in the church and use them to motivate them to step up in church or give them that little push when necessary.
- Group polls based on church experience and matters, with discussions on why they agreed, disagreed or were neutral about the topic, including suggestions on how the problems can be solved or what can be done to better their experiences.
- Create a skit on a topic, or a short poem/sonnet/spoken message, followed by discussion on how creative arts such as drama and poetry can be used to spread the word of God and how we can use such things to ‘step up’ in our spiritual lives.
- Tug of war - to show the participants that if we work together to achieve our goals then we shall be able to reach more souls for Christ through strategies/ cooperation and develop the bonds we have with our fellow Christians.
- Questions on what they were grateful for, followed by encouragement to embrace gratitude as a means of spiritual and personal growth.
Tolu Odewusi, the Youth leader for the Edinburgh Church said, “With the changes that have been occurring in my life, I have had to 'Step Up' in regards to studies, work and my life in general but I had remained the same and even started to drop in my spiritual life as I was getting preoccupied with life. Coming to this Youth Day of Fellowship and partaking in the morning activities got me thinking about how stagnant and downwards my spiritual life has been going and the sermon by Pastor Warren Gillin showed me the need to purposefully seek a better relationship with God and taking up roles in church. Finally, the afternoon service showed me areas in my spiritual life and in the church that needs to be 'Stepped Up'. It was a fun eye-opening day that started a move in my spiritual life.”
Joy Banda, the Youth leader in the Aberdeen Church commented “I was inspired [by the] vibrant atmosphere…From engaging icebreaker activities to heartfelt discussions, every moment was filled with fun and inspiration. The sense of belonging and connection among peers was palpable, fostering a sense of unity and purpose. Through worship, the uplifting message, and different workshops, I left the event feeling energised and grateful for the wonderful bonds formed and memories created...”
Gordon Saggers, Elder of the East Kilbride Church, emphasised the importance of youth gatherings in strengthening bonds within the church and the Scottish Mission. He highlighted the opportunity these events provide for individuals and the church to re-energise their relationship with God. Saggers expressed gratitude to the youth for their positive presence and commended their efforts in ensuring the venue was left clean and presentable. He noted that the youth’s positive manner and behaviour attracted interest from the neighbours, adding that “this form of witness in the community can only enhance the aim of the East Kilbride SDA church (and our Methodist hosts) as we continue to reach out to and serve the local community.”
Pastor Claudiu Popescu concluded “Personally, I was impressed during the last advisory and during the Day of Fellowship to see the level of maturity with which the youth leaders look at the challenges their local churches are facing, their willingness and commitment to be part of the solution and to “step up”. I also felt a sense of thankfulness, pride, and relief, to see how most of them have developed over the last 10 years into reliable, balanced, and competent church leaders who are able to give meaningful impulses in their local church. I want to thank each of them for their hard work and commitment. Also, this experience is reinforcing for me the principle that the best investment of each church and of the SM is in the young generation. It’s absolutely worthy!”
