![\"Praise](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/images_news-2017_Praise-band.jpg\")
<\/a>Adults present had forgotten just how enthusiastic youth can be! Cheers rose across the packed auditorium as various countries were introduced. A roar of approval came as a favourite worship song, \u201910 thousand reasons,\u2019 was beamed onto the screen. That was followed by equally enthusiastic singing \u2013 particularly impressive as for most of the group, English is their second or third language. Some had travelled for more than 20 hours by coach, yet their enthusiasm was not dimmed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=XeTFHbDLGio&list=PLOGSrwS5xR71GO1ZoQOZdvVri-XSOkqan&index=1&t=4904s<\/a><\/p>\n Those not at the congress can follow activities on the Congress YouTube channel<\/a>, on Facebook<\/a>, and on the Congress website<\/a>. Youth are posting their comments and photos on social media using the hashtag #AYC2017 and #TheJourney. [ted<\/em>NEWS]<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cThe musicians are excellent,\u201d states Jeff from Scandinavia. \u201cGiving praise lifts the spirit.\u201d Other youth expressed the desire to gain a deeper spiritual experience with Jesus during the week, to increase their network of friends, and to learn through the 20+ workshops being held each day. <\/p>\n<\/a>You cannot come to Spain without an introduction to the beauty and culture of the country. This was provided by a cleverly choreographed mix of Spanish folk dance and music on stage with images from across the country being projected on the screen. But it was more than that. While demonstrating the best of Spanish culture, it also told the story of \u2018the journey\u2019, a girl\u2019s struggle to find meaning in life. Success and meaning comes as she eventually discovers a Bible.<\/p>\n<\/a>That experience was moving in itself \u2013 and could easily have concluded a successful first night \u2013 but there was more. Sam Leonor, Chaplain at La Sierra University, California, focused young minds of the start of the journey for Jesus\u2019 disciples, the calling described in Mark 1:16-20<\/a>. The auditorium went quiet as he mixed anecdote with deep spiritual truth, concluding with the story of one of his students who constantly prayed for healing from a debilitating degenerative disease, but who found renewal when the prayer changed from healing to commitment.<\/p>\n<\/a>Sleeping in dormitory tents spread across two gymnasium floors, or in hotels spread across the city. Youth will awake on the second day for morning worship in a \u2018TED talk\u2019s\u2019 type format, a series of workshops and activities, and during the week an opportunity for a Guinness Book of Records attempt at the largest image of Jesus created by hammering nails into a piece of wood \u2013 an activity that will start on site, but will climax as a witness in town, later in the week.<\/p>\n
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