26 July 2024 | Rijswijk, Netherlands [James Botha and Vanesa Pizzuto]
Friday was a very special day at the British Union Conference (BUC) and Netherlands Union of Churches Conference (NUChC) Regional Youth Congress in Rijswijk, Netherlands. Under the radiant blue sky, at Heartbeach, The Hague, six people made a public confession of faith.
The first group to be baptised included Betzaida Rosario De la Cruz and Hillary Camelia from the NUChC, as well as James Davids and Selina Toussaint-Peterson from the BUC. After walking into the surprisingly tepid waters of the North Sea, they were baptised by Pastor Kevin Johns, Trans-European Division (TED) Associate Youth Director, and Pastor Gabriel Asumadu, NUChC Youth Director, as onlookers celebrated and cheered.
They were followed by Ellen Smiet and Joël Daha, also from the Netherlands, who were baptised by NUChC Executive Secretary, Enrico Karg. While already in the process of studying the Bible with Karg, they had been following the Congress live stream since its opening night. After just two days of viewing, they too decided to surrender their lives to Christ and be baptised.
The beautiful baptism in the sea was the highlight of the programme, which brought together nearly 500 young people from across unions. “We are privileged to have witnessed how eager our young people are to respond publicly to the leading of God’s Spirit; we pray for them and their leaders,” shared Pastor Marcel Ghioalda, TED Youth Director. “I am really happy that this combined, and inspiring Youth Congress is taking place in the Netherlands,” reflected Pastor Rob de Raad, NUChC President. “It will be a life-changing experience for many young people in this country and beyond.”
[Photos: James Botha, Adventist Media Exchange CC BY 4.0]. Featured image: Kevin Johns, Trans-European Division (TED) Associate Youth Director, and Gabriel Asumadu, NUChC Youth Director, officiating the service.
