An Appeal to Adventist Youth- "Don't be Committed to the System"
“Don’t fall in love with the system. Fall in love with the Savior.” Those were the words of the President of the Caribbean Union Conference to the almost 1000 youths from the Caribbean Union Conference...
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Dr. Kern Tobias speaking to the almost 1000 youth from the Caribbean Union during the morning devotions during line call at the camporee in Jamaica. All nine fields across the territory were present. Drone image by Raphael Dowe
“Don’t fall in love with the system. Fall in love with the Savior.” Those were the words of the President of the Caribbean Union Conference to the almost 1000 youths from the Caribbean Union Conference on line call Thursday morning, April 5, 2023 at the 5th Inter-American Division Pathfinder Camporee.
Dr. Kern Tobias’ comments were prompted by the sheer number of young people gathered in one consecrated space at a time when youth are leaving the church in masses. Many are committed to the events and the programs of the church and not to Jesus. “Everywhere, the Seventh-day Adventist Church experiences high loss rates and chances are that some of you here today may not be around soon,” he said.
Tobias reminded his audience that times will come when disappointment and uncertainties arise to make them feel discouraged. However, “if you are in love with Jesus, you can weather the storm. But if you are in love with the system, it will fail you,” he said.
“The president’s message was on point,” said Marvin Smith, youth director of the Caribbean Union. “He used the language of the young people to communicate a relevant message. This is where it has to be said. We have the majority of them here.”
Youth Director of the world church Busi Khumalo challenging young people not to trust in themselves. He reminded them that it does not help to rebel. Image by Raphael Dowe
Onessa Hughes, a master guide from the South Caribbean Conference delegation, said it was “a message for the time and this is the place for it.” Hughes, who is personally impacted by the increasing attrition, said that while she grew up in church with at least 16 other young people, she is now the only one left of her peers.
Youth Director of the world church Busi Khumalo that same morning echoed the message to the Pathfinders during devotions when he encouraged them to surrender to God. “Don’t trust your feelings,” he said. “Yes, church can be boring sometimes. Yes, as youth you can feel lost in church. God’s church is not perfect; no one is sinless [but] as Ellen White says, though God’s church is defective, it is heading to heaven.”
According to the statistics, 62.5 percent of those who leave the church, leave when they are young adults (Trim, 2022).
Smith said that it is crucial then that the church not be “complacent as we consider the eternal implications of losing our young people. There must be, no doubt, an administrative response to youth attrition, but the best place to start, I believe, is with each of us caring for children or grandchildren by spending time worshipping with them.”
Pastor Bertie Henry, Treasurer of the Caribbean Union (7th from left) Dr. Kern Tobias (8th from left) Pastor Marvin Smith(9th from left) are with nine Youth Directors from the fields of the Caribbean Union after the morning line call in Jamaica. Image by Michelle Dowe
Tobias ended his discourse by encouraging his audience to rise to their God-ordained life purpose. “God worked through young people to establish this [Adventist] movement on solid ground and move it forward with energy, dedication, and enthusiasm,” the CARU president said. “He is still calling and using youth today and He has amazing plans for your life!”
References
Trim, D. (2022, Jan 21).“Why Do They Walk Away?” The Heart Cry of Adventist Parents. Adventist Review.