“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Savior might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come—the end of suffering and sorrow and sin!” White, E.G., Education, p. 271. The Adventist Youth Society embraced this sentiment and demonstrated their commitment to advancing the Kingdom of God by taking the gospel across the island of Anguilla, declaring that Jesus is Lord.
On March 17, 2019, the Adventist Youth Society (AYS) encouraged youth on Anguilla to exit church buildings and to celebrate Youth Week of Prayer (YWOP) in a unique way!
As a follow-up to its high school adoption project, the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) youth collaborated with other Christian youth groups across the island, mapped out a route that included neighbourhood youth-clusters and converged on those areas to connect with other youth, pray and conduct worship.
Believing that there is tremendous value when members are removed from their comfort zone of the church walls, the AYS commenced the Week of Prayer in South Hill and lavished attention on the Spanish community. The services continued across the island with praise, worship, prayer and sermons which highlighted the love of God for human beings. The outstanding presenters included Esmaily Hodge-Mercedes, Lesily Fleming, Stanlesha Sutherland and Levon Fanus.
These young people moved forward with the help of the Holy Spirit knowing that the same power that is experienced in the church, on a Sabbath morning when congregants worship and pray together, is also available wherever believers gather.
Pastor Leranio Webster, a product of the soil who pastors on Tortola, ministered through the Word of God with healthy doses of encouragement for youth to remain faithful to God. The lyrics of the week’s theme song, “Ancient Words,” was a fitting backdrop for youth seeking to establish a relationship with God. The Youth Week of Prayer concluded with a grand home-coming celebration – visitors and friends were asked to dress in blue – which was symbolic of, “upholding the Word of God.”