{"id":26372,"date":"2026-08-06T17:36:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T17:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/?p=26372"},"modified":"2026-08-06T17:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T17:46:24","slug":"young-people-encouraged-to-choose-gods-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/young-people-encouraged-to-choose-gods-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Young People Encouraged to Choose God\u2019s \u2018More\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

6 August 2026 | Valencia, Spain [Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review<\/em>]<\/p>\n

Made for More.<\/p>\n

It took just a few seconds for main speaker Ivana Mendez to erase all traces of novelty from the theme selected for the 2026 European Adventist Youth Congress in Valencia, Spain, on August 5.<\/p>\n

Made for More? Hardly an original phrase, she said, as a quick internet search leads us to companies and ads that zero in on precisely that idea. You, whoever and wherever you are, were made for something more, something you\u2019re lacking now (but that you could presumably acquire if you do this or that or purchase this or that product).<\/p>\n

\"Adventist
Adventist scholar and professor Ivana Mendez led the morning devotionals at the 2026 European Adventist Youth Congress in Valencia, Spain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t need to come to Valencia to listen to the message that you were made for more,\u201d Mendez said. The question, however, is \u201cWhat is that \u2018more\u2019?\u201d she asked. That\u2019s the key of the matter.<\/p>\n

In the following half hour and based on the Bible story of God\u2019s call to Abraham, Mendez sought to explain what that ‘more’ is and what is important for everyone\u2014especially young people\u2014to never settle for less.<\/p>\n

Belonging to God, No Matter What<\/h2>\n
\"One
One of more than 300 small groups participates in a discussion on God\u2019s call to Abraham as depicted in Genesis and Hebrews<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 2026 European Adventist Youth Congress gathered almost 3,500 participants from around 50 countries for five days of spiritual reflections, active discussions, and social, art, and sports activities in and around Valencia. Participants sang, prayed, and studied the Bible together, as they got to know other young people with similar interests, dreams, and goals.<\/p>\n

The opening night program on August 4 welcomed participants to Valencia and Spain with a cultural program, congregational singing and moments of reflection and prayer. The evening’s main speaker, Damian Chandler, a pastor and marriage and family therapist serving in the U.S., led participants to accept that God is inviting them to the table because every one of His children \u201cis still His\u201d no matter what.<\/p>\n

\"Damian
Damian Chandler was one of the two main speakers during the international event in Valencia, Spain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Based on Jesus\u2019 parable of the lost sheep and His experience as a husband and father of three, Chandler emphasised that God does not forget His sheep, because \u201cwe are His no matter what.\u201d He explained, \u201cA shepherd didn\u2019t just visit His sheep\u2014He lived with them\u2026. It was a relationship\u2026. He was willing to risk His life for His sheep.\u201d And a good shepherd knew where one of His sheep was missing.<\/p>\n

In the same way, \u201cGod knows us individually,\u201d Chandler said. \u201cAnd He knows when one of His sheep is missing.\u201d So, he added, \u201cI pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, that when He calls your name, you will come running.\u201d<\/p>\n

Personal and Collective Growth<\/h2>\n
\"Adventist
Adventist scientist and professor Noemi Duran leads a workshop on \u201cHow to Survive as a Christian Science Student in the 21st Century”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During the event, participants were able to choose from dozens of workshops on topics related to theology, faith and science, relationships, and witnessing. They could also attend other workshops connected with creativity as a way to express faith, use of technology for growth and mission, and discipleship.<\/p>\n

For the 2026 gathering, organisers also added a Masterclass category, where \u201csome of Europe\u2019s best theology teachers\u201d will teach \u201ctheir very best class\u201d during the event. These classes \u201care an opportunity to explore Scripture in greater depth,\u201d organisers said, \u201cand discover what studying theology is really like.\u201d<\/p>\n

All in all, plenaries, workshops and activities reinforced the idea that every one of us was made for more, especially in the light of God\u2019s plan for our individual lives and His calling on each one of us to follow His will.<\/p>\n

Made for More, According to God<\/h2>\n

On August 5, Mendez reminded thousands of participants that as God showed Abraham after calling the patriarch, He is a faithful God who fulfils what He promises. \u201cWhat God offered to Abraham and is offering to us is unique\u2014a covenantal relationship with Him, of which He alone is the guarantor\u2026. No other god that is out there is offering anything like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mendez explained that \u201cGod is offering Abraham a long-term plan instead of immediate satisfaction.\u201d But \u201cyou will never understand it unless you go through the whole Bible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Participant
Participant Kreeta Helminen reads from the Bible in Finnish before the morning devotional on August 5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is something that implies understanding God\u2019s plan of redemption, which includes the Creation story, the Fall, and the Solution to the broken relationship. \u201cGod sent His son so He could achieve the most significant victory,\u201d she reminded young people. It also includes God\u2019s Church, \u201ca group of followers who are to proclaim that the blessings are for all nations.\u201d Then, there\u2019s Judgement, when God will proclaim what is right and what is wrong. Finally, the New Creation, because \u201cas it was good at the beginning, so it shall be at the very end,\u201d Mendez said. \u201cThis is what you must know from your Bible\u2026. This is our story.\u201d<\/p>\n

In that sense, Mendez called every participant to remember that before \u201cthe abundance of offerings of more, please choose wisely. Choose well.\u201d This is the \u2018more\u2019 that God is offering each one of us, she said. \u201cNever settle for anything less than this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Participants
Participants sing on the opening night of the 2026 Adventist Youth Congress on August 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

[Photos: Marcos Paseggi]<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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