Perspectives by Elder Leo Ranzolin, Board Chair
The greatest years of my life were in connection with young people. There’s no greater joy than to see them surrendering their lives to the Lord and becoming the future leaders of the Church. During the General Conference Session in San Antonio, TX, I was amazed to see how many young people and Pathfinders that I knew in my 25 years of Youth Ministry are today in a variety of positions in the church. As I attended the South American Division Camporee where 35,000 Pathfinders were present and the International Pathfinder Camporee at Oshkosh, WI with another 47,000 I wondered where these young people will be 20 years from now.
That’s why I am involved with the Adventist Youth Ministries Museum. I have been a great lover of museums. I have been privileged to tour museums around the world including our own in the Washington DC area. In these museums one can learn from the displays and documents the history of countries and peoples. Seventh-day Adventist young people today need to learn about their Church and commit their lives in service to the Lord.
Youth started our Adventist movement. I am excited that the AYM Museum will be established in Battle Creek, Michigan near the Adventist Village. As I look at hundreds of my colleagues I can see how they made their decisions to work for the Lord during the days of their youth. The museum will afford tens of thousands the inspiration to join youth from around the world in service to our Lord.
Youth leaders from international divisions have told me how excited they are about this project. They are looking forward to sending their Youth Directors to visit the museum. “We want our Youth Directors to learn about the History of the Youth, Pathfinder and Adventurer programs, and also to receive training and prepare them to serve the Lord.”
E.G. White, the Servant of the Lord says: “The Lord calls for young men and women to enter His service. The youth are receptive, fresh, ardent, hopeful. When once they have tasted the blessedness of self-sacrifice, they will not be satisfied unless they are constantly learning of the Great Teacher. The Lord will open ways before those who will respond to His call.” Test. Vol. 6, p. 471. We pray that the Adventist Youth Ministries Museum will be an inspiration to young and old to see how God has led His people in the past and how He will prepare our young people to follow in the footsteps of the great pioneers of this church and help finish the work before the Lord comes back in glory and majesty!
It is indeed my privilege to be part of the team building this museum and their international ministry that will inspire youth to serve our Lord!
Maranatha! Leo Ranzolin
