27 Mar 2026, 13:37Pr Wil Masih; edited by SM CommunicationsInverness, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom
Youth Take the Lead at Global Youth Day in Inverness
A youth-led Global Youth Day programme in Inverness brought together young people from across Northern Scotland for a day of worship, fellowship, and shared faith.
In a contemporary United Kingdom often described as increasingly secular, conversations around young people and the Church can sometimes focus on decline and disengagement. However, on Saturday, 21 March 2026, Inverness Seventh-day Adventist Church marked Global Youth Day with a youth-led programme centred on the theme “Communion in Action.”
Young people from Inverness were joined by others from Elgin and Aberdeen, coming together for a day of worship, fellowship, and shared participation. The gathering, though small in number, provided a meaningful opportunity for connection and encouragement among those present.
The programme began with a Bible discussion facilitated by Sylvia Momanyi, who guided participants through a thoughtful exploration of Scripture and its relevance for everyday life.
This was followed by a time of praise and worship, creating a reflective atmosphere and bringing together traditional and contemporary elements.
The morning message, based on the theme “Communion in Action,” was jointly delivered by Joy Banda, Assistant Youth Sponsor for the Scottish Mission, and Brian Kuyanda, Youth Leader at Inverness Church. In their message, they encouraged the young people to remain committed in their faith and to live it out in practical ways in their daily lives — in their workplaces, studies, and social circles. The emphasis was on service and personal commitment.
Following a fellowship lunch, which provided time for conversation and connection, the afternoon programme focused on creative expression and personal storytelling. The young people presented a series of skits and testimonies, offering insight into their experiences and perspectives.
The skits used humour and relatable scenarios to reflect some of the challenges of living out faith as a young person today. The testimonies that followed were personal and sincere, with several young people sharing their journeys, including moments of doubt, growth, and finding a sense of belonging within the church community.
For the adults present, who supported the programme throughout the day, it was an encouraging opportunity to see the young people take active roles in leading and participating.
The impact of the day was reflected in the words of one participant, who shared: “I have been truly blessed today. I want to serve God with more dedication in the future. I am so thankful that the youth had this opportunity to organise and lead the whole day’s programming.”
Looking ahead, there is interest in building on this experience through further regional youth gatherings. The day highlighted the value of creating space for young people to lead, connect, and grow in their faith, reinforcing their active role within the life of the church today.
A youth-led Global Youth Day programme in Inverness brought together young people from across Northern Scotland for a day of worship, fellowship, and shared faith.
In a contemporary United Kingdom often described as increasingly secular, conversations around young people and the Church can sometimes focus on decline and disengagement. However, on Saturday, 21 March 2026, Inverness Seventh-day Adventist Church marked Global Youth Day with a youth-led programme centred on the theme “Communion in Action.”
Young people from Inverness were joined by others from Elgin and Aberdeen, coming together for a day of worship, fellowship, and shared participation. The gathering, though small in number, provided a meaningful opportunity for connection and encouragement among those present.
The programme began with a Bible discussion facilitated by Sylvia Momanyi, who guided participants through a thoughtful exploration of Scripture and its relevance for everyday life.
This was followed by a time of praise and worship, creating a reflective atmosphere and bringing together traditional and contemporary elements.
The morning message, based on the theme “Communion in Action,” was jointly delivered by Joy Banda, Assistant Youth Sponsor for the Scottish Mission, and Brian Kuyanda, Youth Leader at Inverness Church. In their message, they encouraged the young people to remain committed in their faith and to live it out in practical ways in their daily lives — in their workplaces, studies, and social circles. The emphasis was on service and personal commitment.
Following a fellowship lunch, which provided time for conversation and connection, the afternoon programme focused on creative expression and personal storytelling. The young people presented a series of skits and testimonies, offering insight into their experiences and perspectives.
The skits used humour and relatable scenarios to reflect some of the challenges of living out faith as a young person today. The testimonies that followed were personal and sincere, with several young people sharing their journeys, including moments of doubt, growth, and finding a sense of belonging within the church community.
For the adults present, who supported the programme throughout the day, it was an encouraging opportunity to see the young people take active roles in leading and participating.
The impact of the day was reflected in the words of one participant, who shared: “I have been truly blessed today. I want to serve God with more dedication in the future. I am so thankful that the youth had this opportunity to organise and lead the whole day’s programming.”
Looking ahead, there is interest in building on this experience through further regional youth gatherings. The day highlighted the value of creating space for young people to lead, connect, and grow in their faith, reinforcing their active role within the life of the church today.
