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Today begins youth month in every local church under the theme, “Chosen For Mission!” 1 Peter 2:9 says: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

More than a 160-year church anniversary slogan, “Chosen for Mission,” is a commitment to be God’s missionary ambassadors to the world. The Servant of the Lord states in Gospel Workers pg. 67 that, “in order that the work may go forward in all its branches, God calls for youthful vigor, zeal, and courage. He has chosen the youth to aid in the advancement of His cause.

To plan with a clear mind and execute with courageous hand demands fresh, uncrippled energies. Young men and women are invited to give God the strength of their youth, that through the exercise of their powers, through keen thought and vigorous action, they may bring glory to Him and salvation to their fellow men.”

The less we involve youth in the mission of the church, the sluggish our programs become and the more we delay the second coming of Christ. “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!” Education, 271.

Youth Month seeks to achieve what both the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy counsels God’s church. It’s not about a month of programs led by young people, but a culture of mission that youth can create by elevating mission, media, and mentorship in their local churches, to carry the 3 Angel Messages to the world.

It is true that “not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can be home missionaries in their families and neighborhoods. There are many ways in which church members may give the message to those around them.” Adventist Home, p.485. During youth month, we want youth and senior members to embrace that they are chosen for mission and say I Will Go by impacting the following groups of people:

Youth Month is not a program but a culture of mentorship for the mission. The Church Manual, page 111 emphatically appeals to all churches that “youth should be integrated into responsible leadership and in all lines of church work. As young elders, deacons, and deaconesses, for example, they can work with and learn from experienced officers.”

Together let’s use youth month to Visit! Call! Message! Like! Follow! Pray! Sing! Preach! Baptize! Fellowship! Share! “As we wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God.”2 Peter 3:12 ESV As youth we have been chosen for mission because “it is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 69

--Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Director, South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists