24 July 2024 | Rijswijk, Netherlands [Vanesa Pizzuto]
Nearly 450 young people from across the British Union Conference (BUC) and Netherlands Union of Churches Conference (NUChC) gathered at De Broodfabriek (The Bread Factory) conference centre, in Rijswijk, Netherlands, for the 2024 regional Youth Congress. The event, drenched in vibrant music and powerful preaching, explored the 28 fundamental doctrines of the Church, under the theme “Back to Basics.”
Lola Moore Johnston, senior pastor at Restoration Praise Center in Maryland, USA, inspired attendees with her morning devotionals, while Paul Smith, senior pastor at Liberty Church, also from Maryland, led the evening sessions. Their messages resonated with a clear emphasis on salvation by grace. “The foundation of our faith is that we are accepted by God,” shared Johnston. “A lot of times we preach fear because we think people will abuse grace… But God has given us a gift that allows for growth, and sometimes mistakes… we come broken and are healed, God is doing the work of mending us,” she assured the audience.
“The assurance of salvation is in Christ Jesus!” declared Pastor Ian Sweeney, Trans- European Division (TED) Field Secretary, reflecting on the impactful messages. “The theology of this congress is very Christ-centred. This is what the world needs, but also what our young people need.”
The afternoons offered an array of engaging workshops. Pastor Kevin Johns, TED Associate Youth Director and event co-organiser, commented on the diverse topics covered. “We wanted to equip young people with tools to guide them through life, exploring subjects like mortgages, financial advice, entrepreneurial ventures, and more.” Emotional and mental wellbeing were also key focuses. “We felt it was crucial to have counsellors here; our young people are navigating serious issues, and we wanted to provide trustworthy support and resources,” Johns explained.
Elective afternoon activities also gave young people the opportunity to serve the community and enjoy a variety of sports. One group connected with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Netherlands Care and Share Centre, to share care packages with refugees and vulnerable people. Others attended self-defence, archery, and fitness classes, while the real adventurous had some fun at the Indoor Ski & Snowboard Centre, or at LaserTag. “It has been very interactive and good for networking and meeting new people,” commented a young man from the North England Conference. “It has opened doors for me. People are very welcoming and warm too,” he concluded.
“After COVID, young people were dealing with so much stress and many struggles. We knew that putting this event together would kindle something,” shared Gabriel Kwayie, NUChC Youth Director and event co-organiser, commenting on the relevance of the event. “Considering the history of The Hague, a place marked by fighting for freedom and where Christians went to America, but also where now people feel God is gone, it is significant for us to be here. To ask God to kindle a revival in the Netherlands and England through us.’”
“Young people could have been in many other places during this week,” said Marcel Ghioalda , TED Youth Director. “They could have spent their money in so many different ways, and yet they chose to be here. This tells me this event was meaningful to them, and so, it matters to us.”
The BUC & NUChC Youth Congress in Rijswijk is not just a fun and engaging event, but a transformative experience for many, rekindling faith and sharing practical wisdom for today’s challenges.
[Photos: James Botha and Vanesa Pizzuto, Adventist Media Exchange CC BY 4.0].
