"Be the Sermon. Live the Sermon".

What is Global Youth Day?

Caption: Mynee and Jica posing happily amidst the sunny, hot Sabbath morning

Global Youth Day (GYD) is a world-wide event among Seventh-day Adventist Youth every March with a purpose of mobilizing the youth for service. It aims to contribute to the proclamation of the everlasting gospel as we wait for the coming of Jesus. The first Global Youth Day was held on March 13, 2013.

Caption: The zealous young people sharing the message of God's love inside the public market

It is held on a Sabbath having about eight (8) million Adventist youth going outside of the four walls of the church building and live the sermon they have heard. It's not a typical "Good girl-Good boy" day but it's a movement, a campaign of encouraging people to be the sermon not just on GYD but everyday. Service is a way of life. Loving others should be a lifestyle.

Grounded in the concluding words of Jesus in the parable of the Good Samaritan, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:25-37), the theme of the Global Youth Day is “Be the sermon.” (http://youth.adventist.org/GYD)

What's my GYD experience?

I couldn't remember the year when I first joined the GYD. But for me, I felt so thrilled when I heard about it for the first time. Many young people like me believes that we cannot simply sit inside the church and listen to sermons. It's good to listen to sermons. It's good to study the Bible and pray. But there's more to it! We need love in action. We need to show to the world that there is a loving God by our actions, that is through selfless acts of kindness. The world is need of sincere and compassionate souls and we are born to share hope for a better world. And GYD is taking that challenge.

GYD 2017 (16).jpg
Caption: This was last year's GYD event with my new friends. We prayed with people inside boutiques, eateries, and even videoke restaurants.

Several activities can be done during GYD. Some people visit nursing homes, orphanage, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, and so on, just to share the love of God. Some of my friends have this "a fruit for a cigarette campaign". It's like asking someone smoking to give up their cigarette in exchange for a delicious fruit. Others also conducted some storytelling events for children. I also experienced singing happily for the people we meet on the streets. We also did gift-giving for the less fortunate individuals around the city.

Caption: A woman conversing with GYD participants (she's actually holding the gift.)

After that, young participants are encouraged to post their photos and videos on the social media. More than 150 million posts were made last year which implies that these young GYD fellas are really committed to go out of their comfort zone and become the "sermon".

GYD 2017 (19).jpg Caption: GYD has always been a fulfilling experience

Tips for GYD

If you want to join GYD, here are some tips:

Choose a target, a specific person or group in your neighborhood
Ask these questions: Who are those in need? What are their backgrounds?
Make a needs survey of your community.
Ask these questions: What do they need? How may I help them?
Money problems? (It's doesn't have to costly.)
Ask these questions: What's the meaning behind this gift? Why am I giving this?
Be the sermon. Act!
Ask these questions: What are the tools needed for this outreach? How can we get prepared? Who can help us with this?

The most important thing about GYD is to give back to God all the glory and honor. Organize a prayer team to keep you on fire. Share joy and embrace compassion by living the sermon.

Caption: We visited the Bureau Of Fire Protection in our city and believe me, these men shed tears as they read the thank you cards we handed to them.