One of the greatest strengths of any church is its youth. No organization is stronger than the young people who make up its membership. Seventh-day Adventist youth are part of a great world-wide movement which has the objective of sharing the Advent Message to all the world. Youth meetings, rightly named Youth Congress, began to bring youth together to experience anew God’s leading in their lives. To help them commit to the divine mission and enjoy Christian faith, fellowship and witness.

A Youth Congress provides an opportunity to hear anew the call to service in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A place to experience new life in Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Since the first Youth Congress, of record, held at Chemnitz, Germany July 17-22, 1928 to current Youth Congresses young people and their leaders are challenged to a closer walk with Jesus and to share their faith. At this first Youth Congress there were 3,000 delegates.

Romaniaheld their first Youth Congress July 4-10, 1937, with 1,300 delegates. Because so many of the church members were youth this congress set the tone for major growth of the church in Romania.

A youth Congress was held for the youth of the South Pacific Division in 1939 at Avondale College, Australia. Delegates dedicated their lives to sharing the love of God.

North American Division Youth Congress Logo

The first North American Division Youth Congress was held in San Francisco, California September 3-7, 1947. Many delegates and attendees dedicated their lives to spreading the Three Angles Message.

In 1948 the South Pacific Division held their second Youth Congress and in 1952 the Brazilian Youth Congress began with 2,000 delegates – a real “Army of Youth rightly trained.”

PUC Youth Congress, Lynwood Auditorium & Hollywood Bowl, June 8-12, 1949.

The Pacific Union Conference held a Youth Congress at Lynwood Auditorium and the Hollywood Bowl in California June 8-12, 1949.

I am certain there are others that I have missed between 1928 and 1950 but the point is God’s youth are on the move, God’s leaders are leading His youth to become leaders in their church.

Pan-American Youth Congress, San Francisco, June 16-20, 1953.

Maybe you or someone you know attended the Pan-American Youth Congress in San Francisco June 16-20, 1953. From the first call of the Trumpeteers at the opening of the meetings to the last prayer at the close Seventh-day Adventist youth of the Americas were kept almost breathless with the fast-paced tempo of a program that never recognized a dull moment. Delegates came to bear witness to the power of God flowing through the lives of youth whose hearts are aflame for the Master they serve. Did you attend one or more of the 27 workshops sparked with interviews and personal testimonies of Share Your Faith activities?

Arnold attended this Youth Congress and in our collection we have the songbook and brochure he received. Here he was inspired to work with youth. He enjoyed the musical talent and spiritual talks that were shared. There were more than 4,300 delegates plus many visitors that attended and from the first, attendance was far greater than anyone had anticipated.

Since then there have been many, many Youth Congresses across the world and thousands of young people have dedicated their lives to Jesus and sharing His love.

January 2-7, 2017 the North New Zealand Conference – Youth Congress is in Auckland, New Zealand. August 1-5, 2017 the All-European Youth Congress took place at Valencia, Spain. Other Youth Congresses have been held or are being planned in various Divisions and Conferences.

North American Division Virtual Experience Youth Congress – ‘Go Do It!’ (August 12-14, 2021).

August 12-14, 2021the North American Division held a virtual Experience Youth Congress known as “Go Do It!”  Like most Youth Congresses this program included a theme song written especially for the Youth Congress. Hosts were college students Pax Fordham and Savannah Fortney, who did an awesome job of keeping the youth that were registered engaged. Guest speakers were Damian Chandler and Jesse Lopez-Abdul Karim both taking us to scripture and making it come alive. There was a lot of great special music. A variety of workshops were offered and blessings were received. Sabbath’s services included Momentum Worship and Sabbath School. The North American Division Team of Pastor’s Tracy Wood, Vandeon Griffin and Armando Miranda and their support staff are to be commended for a job well done as they related to and with youth from around the North American Division.

North Pacific Union Youth Congress – Spokane Coliseum, June 7-9, 1957.

It was a pleasure to watch and listen in to this wonderful virtual Youth Congress. It brought back memories of the first Youth Congress I attended as a teenager. It was held, June 7-9, 1957 in the Spokane Coliseum in Spokane, Washington for the North Pacific Union. It was the largest event of its kind that I had ever attended and for me was thrilling from start to finish.The music was outstanding and the talks were spiritual and encouraging. It was here I met World Youth Leader Theodore E. Lucas in person for the first time and became reacquainted with John H. Hancock World Pathfinder Leader never dreaming that one day he would become a special friend whom I called “Uncle John”. I came away from that Youth Congress with the desire to serve youth in some way, some form. God has certainly answered that prayer as He led me to be an Historian for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Youth Ministry.

Every five years the General Conference Youth Ministries Department plan a Youth Congress. The last Youth Congress they organized was held at Stuttgart, Germany 30 July – 4 August, 2018and was for youth ages 16- 35. The General Conference Youth Ministries Department is planning a Youth Congress to be held in 2023.

If you have a story about a Youth Congress you attended, please share with us that we may include your story in our Youth Congress display.