Greater New York Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Adventist Youth Ministries Department
Pastor Jose’s Update & FYI
7/25/08
1. Update on Summer Ministries by the Adventist Youth Ministries Department
2. Youth Preachers Core Evangelism in Brooklyn (July 13-August 9 @ 426 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn)
3. Sabado Joven Regional (this Sabbath, July 26 @ Spanish Soundview Church)
4. Mission Trip to Mexico (July 28 to August 5, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
5. Adventist Youth Fun Day (Sunday, August 10 @ Six Flags Theme Park & Safari)
6. Area Youth Evangelism in the Bronx (August 16-30, 2008)
7. Taste of Life (September 7 @ Central Park)
8. United Campmeeting (September 13 @ Big Inflatable Dome, Camp Berkshire)
9. Adventist Youth Ministries Department Office Hours
10. Our Website & New Website
11. “Between Father & Son” an Adventist Film is now available for Sale
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1. Update on Adventist Youth Ministry: Our summer has been filled with ministry of different types, reaching different people and it’s still not over. Up to now we’ve had Area Youth Evangelism sponsored by our Department in Upstate New York, Brooklyn (Spanish), Long Island (English). Coordinators and Pastors have worked together and done a great job in these areas. Special thanks to Teddy Williamson, Helmer Saravia, and AY Leaders from the different churches, as well as Pastors Danny Zabaleta, Jose Montano, Lincoln Smith, Lloyd Scharffernberg, among others, who have been involved in winning of souls through the Area Youth Evangelism Series. We have a few more series coming up in the Bronx, and Manhattan. You will receive the info, as they approach.
Adventist Youth Emergency Services/AYES Corps: The AYES Corps Classes have been taking place under the leadership of AYES Coordinators/Instructors Walter Harris and Esteban Rosario; Pastor Ruben Merino, Director of Adventist Community Services and myself are super happy with the development of this class. The classes are taking place at the brand new Adventist Community Services Headquarters, Pastor Merino and his Staff have done a great job there. A few weeks ago, I visited with the AYES Corps Candidates while they were out in the city doing their URBAN SURVIVAL WEEKEND; they spent the entire weekend, from Friday sundown till 1:00 PM, Sunday, as homeless in New York City. This is part of their training for Disaster & Crisis Response; they must know the city and must know how to survive in the city, while helping others during a disaster. Hopefully, they’ll never have to put these skills into practice; nevertheless, Adventist young people must always be ready to help our community in case of an Emergency.
Staten Island Pathfinders & Adventurers First Rally Ever: Under the leadership of Pathfinder Coordinator Kaity Colon, and with the assistance of the local Adventurer and Pathfinder Directors of the area churches we had the first Rally ever for Adventurer and Pathfinders in Staten Island. We have three churches in Staten Island, Korean Staten Island, Manor Road, and Spanish Staten Island; all three churches in Staten Island have both, an Adventurer and a Pathfinder Club. So we packed the Spanish Staten Island Church and had a wonderful Sabbath together, I had the privilege of speaking to the kids, youth, and adults present; in the afternoon, after a delicious lunch we had a Concert with Ammi, a GNYC music group www.myspace.com/grupoammi. The Spanish Staten Island Church was a great host. It was great; I just learned that I need to brush up on my Korean.
We had the first Adventist Youth Fun Day at Six Flags’ Hurricane Harbor, tickets are still available, E-mail or call the office to get them, the next Fun Day is coming up in August, however, you can use the tickets anytime you like.
Youth Campmeetings: English Camp took place over the two Sabbaths (June 28 and July 5) with Pastors Cooper and Morris, about 18 young people made decisions for baptisms during the two Sabbaths, the Bible Bowl Finals took place, we now have our finalists for BAYDA’s (Black Adventist Youth Directors Association) National Finals, they are: Junior Beginners- Hempstead; Juniors- Queens Ghana; Senior Youth- Washington Heights; Young Adults- Victory;
Adults- Victory. We presented the Clarence McCall Film “Between Father and Son” at the Adult Auditorium, it was well received and very well attended, excellent way to use creative ministries to reach our church Clarence. The Youth Choir Fest ended up being one of the highlights of Campmeeting, we had a pretty full tent on Sabbath afternoon; we had quartets that sang old spiritual, quartet traditional songs, groups that sang hymns, and choirs that sang gospel songs, a wide variety representing our entire Conference. Special thanks to our AY Coordinators and Bible Bowl Coordinators, local church AY Leaders, and Choir Leaders for a ministry well done. My gratitude to my colleagues, our pastors, who were present to participate and support Camp.
Spanish Camp also took place under the tent, for an entire week. We had over 200 youth and young adults in attendance during the week and over 2,000 on the last Sabbath. Two young preachers from Greater New York Abraham Henry, George Coxaj, and another preacher who grew up in Greater New York, Pastor Danny Sierra preached their hearts out. About 30 young people made decisions for baptism; 17 young people were baptized Sabbath afternoon. Groups Ammi, Strings & Harmony, and guest group from Dominican Republic BOSES were among the guests for concerts on both Sabbaths. Special thanks to the Summer Camp Volunteer Staff, AY Coordinators and Pathfinder Coordinators who worked entire week to make sure that everyone who was there had a great time, got closer to Jesus, or made a decision for Jesus. I also like to thank my colleague, Pastor Andres Peralta who worked very hard right beside me, the entire week. Besides the priority of Camp, which is our morning and evening worship evangelistic services, we had a full summer camp recreational schedule: Canoes, boats, paddleboats, speed boat, knee-boarding, banana and sting ray inflatable boats, outdoor & indoor volleyball, basketball, mountain biking, softball, swimming, archery, sack-racing, and a two-day Olympics won by the young people of the Broadway Church.
These are some of the different summer ministries that have taken place up to now during this summer in Greater New York. Following, an FYI of what is to come.
2. Youth Preachers Core Evangelism in Brooklyn (July 13-August 9 @ 426 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn): The Youth Preachers Core is a ministry formed by Adventist young people from Greater New York and Northeastern Conference who support Churches here in New York, by doing evangelism, and leading people to Christ. They work together with our youth departments and do very well. Since July 13, they have been leading an Evangelistic Series in Brooklyn, the speaker is Richard Means, and the title of the Series is “Take It.” The address of the tent is: 426 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11225. For more info: http://ypcministry.com/home.html.
3. Sabado Joven Regional (this Sabbath, July 26 @ Spanish Soundview Church): This special Youth Sabbath will begin at 9:30 AM with a beautiful Sabbath School and continue through the entire day, including lunch, Community Services activities in the afternoon, concert, and a Social at night. The address of the Spanish Soundview Church is: 1822 Lacombe Ave, Bronx NY 10473-3633.
For more info, please contact: Tibisai Brito
britotibiny@yahoo.comor Yuri Rivas Chinita
6799@aol.com
4. Mission Trip to Mexico (this Monday, July 28 to August 5, Quintana Roo, Mexico): Besides the local mission that the youth and young adults of the Greater New York Conference have as a priority year-round in our communities throughout our territory, we are also concern about the rest of the world; we understand our church is a world church and therefore have traveled to Philippines, Jamaica, and Mexico to do ministry. We have also been present to provide relief and disaster response in the Gulf Area, after the Katrina Hurricane.
This Monday, about 70 young adults, teens, and adults will be going to Mexico. A Mission Trip can change the lives of Teens and Young Adults in your church. The objectives are: church construction in Region 104, Cancun, a very poor area of the city; Vacation Bible School at Region 104, Cancun; as well as a Vacation Bible School in an area where the Adventist Church has not yet entered, a village of Mayan Indians. Our purpose is to plant a Seventh-day Adventist Church in the village.
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and minister to the people of Mexico.
5. Adventist Youth Fun Day (Sunday, August 10 @ Six Flags Theme Park & Safari): Our second Adventist Youth Fun Day of the year will take place at Six Flags’ Theme Park and Safari, on August 10. To get tickets, please call the Adventist Youth Ministries Department. The price for the tickets is $30.00 per person. Free Entrance for kids under 3
These outings are planned for anyone who would like to attend, young adults, collegiate, teens, Pathfinders, Adventurers, adults, visitors, anyone who would like to go. Don’t forget to wear a Christian t-shirt, a GNYC Youth Ministries Shirt, something that allows people to know that there are thousands of Adventist young people who love and obey God.
Hurricane Harbor Water Park (June 22): $23.00 per person
Six Flags Theme Park & Safari (August 10): 30.00 per person
Free Entrance for kids under 3
If you are not able to participate on the schedule days, you can purchase the tickets and go on any other Sunday or weekday, tickets are valid for the entire season. If you check the prices at the park and the prices of the tickets at the Adventist Youth Ministries Department, you could even use them for Fundraising.
You can download the Ticket Order Form at our website, www.gnycyouth.com.
6. Area Youth Evangelism in the Bronx (August 16-30, 2008): There will be several weeks of Area Youth Evangelism in the Bronx, sponsored by the Adventist Youth Ministries Department; these will be led by young people. The first week (August 16-23) will begin at the Mott Haven Spanish Church. The second week will continue at the Bronx-Manhattan School (August 23-30) with Evangelist Sheldon Cooper. For more info, please contact: Sunilbe Rosario rosario18@yahoo.com, Darwin Garcia rgarcia340@yahoo.com, Rafael Vargas vagicompany@hotmail.com, Walter Harris Rombo33@aol.com, or Mel Francis melfrancis@verizon.net.
7. Taste of Life (September 7 @ Central Park): A different ministry opportunity, where you can fellowship with people from other churches in New York City, enjoy free food, children’s games, and music among other things. Taste of Life also gives us the opportunity to reach out to our friends and our neighbors in New York, inviting them to get to know our church in a different, non-threatening atmosphere. Please mark this day in your calendar, you will enjoy this day and so will your loved ones. Click on the following link to get an idea through a short video of what the day is all about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nHO7bc3bPc&feature=related
8. United Campmeeting (September 13 @ Big Inflatable Dome, Camp Berkshire): On this day, we would like to invite all of the youth, young adults, Adventurers, Pathfinders, and Master Guides of the Greater New York Conference to attend this special Campmeeting. We will present a special Mission Initiative for the AY Departments of our local churches, as well as for our Clubs, Young Professional, College, and University Students. On this day, we will also inaugurate our brand new Inflatable Dome, which will be the new home of the young people at Camp Berkshire. The Inflatable Dome is huge, over 170 ft. long by 120 ft. wide.
Begin to plan now, so you can be present on that day.
9. Adventist Youth Ministries Department Office Hours: I’ve spent a great deal of the month over at Camp Berkshire with the different camps, setting up for them and leading them. Last week, my secretary Veronica worked out of Camp Berkshire during the Hispanic Camp. This week, she is on vacation. The office will be opened again on Tuesday, July 29. I will be out of the office during the Mission Trip and then will be attending North American Division Meetings and the ASI Convention in Tampa, Florida.
10. Our Website & New Website: Our official website, www.gnycyouth.com, is available 24/7; it is updated and lots of important info, news, events, workshops, training seminars, among other items can also be found there. Pass by and fill out the survey, which one of all of the Summer Ministries Opportunities do you enjoy the most? We have also updated with Adventurer Camporee Top 20 Clubs for the ’08 Adventurer and Master Guide Camporee. Under the News Section you can find some great quotes from the Bible regarding music, as well as from Ellen G. White, among many other things.
We have been working on a new website, you will be able to access it in a few weeks. It will include podcast and video capabilities, lots of pictures, blogs, more resources, and online store.
11. “Between Father & Son” an Adventist Film is now available for Sale: This film was directed by one of our young professionals in Greater New York, Clarence McCall; he did an excellent job. Below you can read a synopsis of the film; if you would like to see a preview, click on this link: http://www.filmbaby.com/films/3150.
The DVD can be shown at youth groups, at the local church as an opener to discussion, it is a great tool for parent s dealing with teens, as well as for teens trying to understand their parents and their relationship with the church. I highly recommend it. It is now available for sale, the price $15.00. You can get it at the Adventist Youth Ministries Department, our office; you can get it at the Adventist Community Services Headquarters, you can also go online and order it at; http://www.filmbaby.com/films/3150
Synopsis: Eric Davis is a documentary filmmaker who is examining his relationship with his son, Joshua. Joshua is beginning to exhibit the characteristics of a young person who is slowly leaving the Adventist way of life. As Joshua becomes increasingly disaffected, Eric becomes sterner on setting boundaries until it all escalates into a major show down between father and son. This fictional film takes a look at the circumstances surrounding youth retention from both a statistical and emotional perspective. It’s a thought provoking and intimate look into the lives of the Davis’, and you never know, you just may see some of yourself in one or two of the main characters. Between Father and Son is an important film and an essential ministry especially for those who are concerned about the state of youth in the Adventist church.
Keep in touch:
www.gnycyouth.com (website)
ay@gnycyouth.com(Veronica)
gnycyouth@aol.com(Pastor Jose & Joanne)
To download, please click below:
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