WHY AN ADVENTIST YOUTH MINISTRY MUSEUM AND TRAINING CENTER!

By Leo Ranzolin – Former GC Youth and Pathfinder Director

During my Youth Ministry and work at the world church for 33 years I’ve been inspired by many monuments and museums. I remember the Euro- Africa Division Camporee in Malcesine, Italy, in 1977, when the young people invited me to visit the Tower of Constance. I had no idea why they wanted me to go there, but was told of a young lady by the name of Marie Durand who had been imprisoned in the Tower at the age of 15 and stayed there for 38 years. The big surprise was a message that she had carved on the rock. I was simply touched when I saw the inscription –RESISTER, which means RESIST! I WAS INSPIRED by the dedication and faithfulness of this young lady! I am glad that the monument is there to inspire the new generation!

Another great EUD Camporee was held in Aigues Morts, Southern France, 1981. I had the privilege to visit the Musee du Desert, Desert Museum, former home of the Huguenots who had to be faithful in spite of persecutions. 250.000 French Huguenots went into exile for their faith. Preachers and Pastors gave their lives for their faith- all of them died in the gallows. The Museum was dedicated to the history of Protestantism in France. Someone said after visiting the Museum: “Our teenagers were powerfully impacted by the stories of courage, faith and perseverance of their ancestors.” I was told that they would hide underground when the soldiers came. I WAS INSPIRED by their boldness and sacrifice.

During the Camporees at Oshkosh I remember visiting with Henry Bergh composer of the Pathfinder Song. Also at the Soquel Camporee in 1974-75, during the celebration of the Silver Anniversary of Pathfinders I saw Desmond Doss, one of heroes of our church and the USA and many of the pioneers of the Youth Movement. I WAS INSPIRED by their service and contribution to the Church.

During our trip to attend the First World Youth Congress in Zurich, in 1969, my wife and I enjoyed not only the museums, but also the Catacombs where thousands of Christians lived underground, also the Colosseum, where so many martyrs lost their lives. Every Museum brought me the realization of how much we can learn when we go back and see history unfolding in our own eyes. Same can be said for the Museums in Washington DC which brings to life the history of our country! I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY THESE MONUMENTS AND MUSEUMS.

October, 2018, during the Annual Council of the General Conference held in Battle Creek, MI we sang many of the hymns of the pioneers led by Jim Nix and William Fagal.  Then immediately followed our AYMM – Youth Heritage Celebration – “Lest We Forget” meetings there in Battle Creek, which helped me to understand how important it was to look back and see how the Lord led our Church!  As we looked at the displays in the Red Barn, at the Historic Adventist Village, prepared by Arnold and Dixie Plata, taking us back to the leaders, events, and the beginning of our Youth Movement we have a new understanding of their service for the Lord.  To see the tombs of the pioneers at the Oak Hill Cemetery made me reflect on the history of our church and the lives of those who pioneered and sacrificed for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I WAS INSPIRED!

After these wonderful experiences, my thoughts were loud and clear. We need a place to make the new generations feel how important it is to look back and see how the Lord has led the Church and the Youth Movement. That’s why we need the Adventist Youth Ministry Museum to inspire the new generation “Lest They Forget” how God led this Church. We must inspire them to follow in the footsteps of those who followed the example of our Lord!

We invite you to become a partner with us in making the AYM Museum a reality in Battle Creek, Michigan, near the Historic Adventist Village.