“Set on Fire,” the Bermuda Conference Adventist Youth Ministries (AYM) Department’s “Adventist Youth Equipping and Leadership Conference,” was held February 28 and 29 on the Bermuda Institute campus. The conference aimed to clarify for youth leaders the purpose of AY ministries, to train them to meet the objectives of that purpose, and to challenge leaders and staff to create and implement new ways to connect with youth. It was also designed to equip staff with the tools needed to guide young people, to encourage them on their path to salvation, and to inspire them to be agents of change.
Attendees at the Friday-night-meeting participated in praise and worship led by the youth, followed by a powerful word from keynote speaker, Patrick Graham, Allegheny East Youth and Children’s Ministries director. Graham’s message challenged leaders to avoid complacency and encouraged them to reignite their passion for serving the youth. The meeting ended with a prayer of consecration for all attendees by Kenneth Manders, Bermuda Conference president.
Sabbath morning began with a group prayer exercise led by Alyson Thompson, Warwick church AYM secretary. This exercise focused on youth leaders seeking God together, as a family, for one purpose.
Two workshops followed. Georgina Dill, Midland Heights church AY leader, presented “Creating Space.” Dill shared ways to create safe, supportive spaces for young people to fellowship and learn, and how to improve some of the areas already created. Michael Simmons, Somerset church AY leader and Pathfinder director, presented “From Insta to Snap,” and taught leaders how to use social media to effectively reach youth and young adults and get them more involved.
On Sabbath afternoon, Patrick Graham shared some of the disconnects experienced with our youth and how to correct them. Graham then illustrated this with an engaging communication exercise. Following his presentation, Dwayne Caines, Bermuda Conference Youth Ministries, director, presented the 2020 AYM objectives.
Equipped with new knowledge and tools, as well as clarity on the goals for this year, Caines had the attendees break into respective church groups to plan one intentional ministry idea. Each group then presented its idea and when it intends to execute that idea.
The weekend’s conference was paperless, with all the information available via an app, thanks to David McKenzie, Atlantic Union Conference Youth Ministries director.
The Bermuda Conference Adventist Youth Ministries team is grateful to Atlantic Union Conference personnel, David McKenzie, and Ednor A.P. Davison, Communication director, who set up the app and trained several Bermuda Conference Youth Ministries staff members how to utilize the app; and the Bermuda Conference administration for helping to make the conference a success. We look forward to the “wildfire” experience on the island of Bermuda as a result of attendees being “Set on Fire.”
—Youth Ministries department, Bermuda Conference
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