25 July 2024 | Rijswijk, Netherlands [Vanesa Pizzuto]
In the spacious hall of De Broodfabriek (The Bread Factory) conference centre, Market Street offered attendees an opportunity to familiarise themselves with supporting ministries of the Church and, crucially, to “catch the mission bug.”
Adventist Motorcycle Ministry
Adventist Motorcycle Ministry (AMM) is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with 24 chapters around the world. By mingling with the unreached motorcycle communities of every nation, attending to their needs, and introducing them to Christ, AMM is turning every ride into a mission.
Parked in the heart of Youth Congress’ Market Street is Attila Szilvási’s shinny bike. Clad in an AMM vest and sporting a tireless smile, Szilvási, a representative of AMM Hungary, shared his inspiring vision with Vanesa Pizzuto.
VP: Attila, please tell me about the work of AMM in Hungary. What is it like to be a missionary on a motorcycle?
AS: We ride motorcycles as a hobby in our spare time. But we also use them to reach people and share the Gospel with them. AMM started in 2008 in the USA, and in Hungary in 2012. So, it’s been 12 years!
VP: What kind of communities or people do you reach?
AS: We try to reach all kinds of riders. We organise motorcycle tours for weekend and leisure riders. We also have a presence in motorcycle clubs, even the toughest ones. We keep in contact with people, visit bike events, and ride with them. We also keep in touch with people who may not be riding motorcycles but are interested in them. We build communities.
VP: Tell me about the Biker’s Bible, please…
AS: The Biker’s Bible is a special Bible. It contains testimonies from bikers about how they met God, what kind of struggles and challenges led them to Him, and how He changed them completely. And of course, it also has an easy-to-read version of the New Testament. It’s a first step that helps people to start reading the Bible, with some basic prayers. For example, a biker may be thinking about a struggle with addiction, or about committing suicide, or some other struggles, and these prayers guide them to God. It’s an excellent tool that we always share.
VP: Thanks for sharing that, that is a beautiful edition! How can people find out more about Adventist Motorcycle Ministries?
AS: They can visit our global page and they can also find us on Facebook (@AMM Nation Europe or @AMM Hungary, for example).
VP: Thanks, Attila! Is there something else you wish to add?
AS: My pleasure! Yes, we have a special event every year, on the same day, in more than 30 countries. And this year it is on the 22nd of September. We invite our friends, relatives, and the public in general to join us for this Mission Ride. I encourage all readers to join us and be part of this incredible journey!
Adventist Frontier Missions
Adventist Frontier Missions (AFM) seeks to share the Gospel with the hardest-to-reach people in the world. By training and sending career missionaries, AFM plants faith communities among groups who have not yet been reached with the everlasting Gospel.
Two missionaries, Diana Vasile and Kerigma Davis, shared their passion for sharing the Gospel and their reason for being present at the regional Youth Congress.
VP: What is your goal, and what are you trying to accomplish here in the Netherlands?
DV: We are here to connect with people who have a heart for mission. What we do is serve the unreached. So, we’re looking for missionaries who will go for one year or many more years to serve unreached people groups. Most of our projects are in Southeast Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, India, and China. But we also have a few projects in Europe. So, that’s what we do—we’re trying to reach the unreached with the Gospel!
VP: That sounds fantastic! Tell me, Kerigma, what are your plans?
KD: I am a missionary, currently preparing to go to Japan. I’m in the process of building my support team. That’s why I’m here—to tell people about the mission that still needs to be completed, in the hope that they join me on my journey. I hope they’ll support me with prayers, encouragement, and financially too, all of which I need. I’ll be in Japan for the next 10 years!
VP: That is really inspiring, Kerigma. What led you to join AFM?
KD: I wanted to do more with my life. I had a job as an engineer, and I loved it, but I always wanted to serve. I was looking into getting into the humanitarian sector—I did my master’s in humanitarian engineering. In August last year, I was at GYC Europe, and AFM was there. I met Diana, and we were talking about my master’s when she told me, “Oh, actually, we have a call to serve with Syrian refugees in Turkey.” This was interesting because it was exactly what I wanted to do. So, I filled out my application when I got back to the UK, and that’s how I started my career with AFM.
VP: Kerigma, how can people find out more about you and support you?
KD: I am on the AFM website (under the candidates’ tab). They can find my story there, and if they can support me as well, that would be wonderful!
VP: Thank you both. Is there anything else you wish to add?
DV: Yes. There are over 3.5 billion people out there who have no clue about the Gospel. Most of them cannot find out unless someone goes to tell them. That’s why we’re working with the unreached. There’s a great need everywhere, and we’re aware of that. But we still need to go to the places where nobody else goes.
Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries
Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) is a membership-based organisation for Adventist laypeople who are passionate about sharing their faith in the workplace. ASI brings together a diverse range of members, from business owners to individual professionals, in chapters around the world.
Wearing a bright patterned shirt and sporting an unmistakable Australian accent, Daniel Klop, the UK Chapter President, shared his dream for ASI UK.
VP: Please tell me about ASI and what you are trying to accomplish at this Youth Congress.
DK: ASI is about sharing Christ in the marketplace, and what we’re really aiming to do at this event is to create some brand awareness for ASI. ASI has been inactive in the UK for a few years, and we’ve recently revived it. This event provides a unique opportunity to be here in the Netherlands because I used to live here. I am originally from Australia, but my parents are from Holland. I lived here for about 12 years and was involved with the ASI Dutch Chapter. We’re now working to revitalise the Dutch chapter as well, so it’s fantastic to be here, engaging with both BUC and NUChC communities simultaneously.
VP: When will your next ASI meeting in the UK be?
DK: We are still planning it, but it will be around the Birmingham area in September.
VP: How can people learn more about ASI UK and stay informed about the next meeting?
DK: Besides stopping by our booth, we have a form where we are collecting contact details. I encourage anyone who is interested to fill it out, and we’ll get in touch with them.
[Photos: James Botha, Adventist Media Exchange CC BY 4.0]. Featured picture: Attila Szilvási and Karolina Szilvási, with their shinny bike.
