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GYC - Day 5

The last day of GYC and there is an air of sadness and sense of completion. The numbers of attendees are still in the hundreds, but they’ve stayed until the last minute to say good bye to their friends, and to hear the last encouraging message from Pastor John Bradshaw. Our theme this year was about Revolution; about changing our lives and changing the lives of the people we’ll touch.

It was ironic to hear a Brit give a history lesson on the reasons for the American Revolution. His point: we need to be drastic, we need to take action, and we need to make sacrifices. We are so afraid to step out of our comfort zone; we miss opportunities to revolutionize our own lives as well as the people who need to hear the message.

Attendees were varied in culture as well as spirituality. Most had been born to the Adventist faith, but others were not even baptized. They had come to GYC to learn about their new-born faith and grow in Christ. Brian Kang, a member of the Riverside Korean church, made a last-minute decision to attend because his friends convinced him. He had grown up Buddhist and this past year decided to become baptized. He points to his friends as the reason for his decision to become Adventist. This conference re-affirmed his decision and increased his desire to grow closer to Christ.
“It’s been intense and a little tiring, but I’ve really enjoyed listening to various speakers. There’s so much information but the little I remember is still such a blessing. I’ve learned a lot about converting others, about the similarity between Muslims and Adventists. I never thought about going on a mission trip before, but listening to testimonies, doing my first outreach activity has been inspiring - that I want to go to a mission trip.”
The Korean community was a presence at the conference, whether from Korea, Canada or the US, whether sitting alone reading, or in a group of friends or family; not only were they attendees, they also prepared the conference. Louise Lee, Justin Kim, Grace Shim, Pastor David Shin and Michel Lee all have various roles in GYC. Michel, GYC Vice President of Resources, was often onstage, as well as behind the scenes.

A member of the Mountain View Japanese SDA Church, she attended her first GYC in 2007 in Minneapolis, where she decided to volunteer as a greeter at the door of a seminar.  “Listening in on the seminar itself was a huge blessing!  I was asked later to serve as secretary for the Resources Department by my friend Sikhu, and after that I worked as an assistant for the Secretary, helping international attendees through the process of coming to the States for the conference.  I was asked a bit over one year ago to serve as the VP of Resources, and I ended up training my friend Eunice to take my place as the international attendees’ assistant. 

GYC is not meant to be an annual conference, but a movement.  When Seventh-day Adventism emerged, it was a group of young people who were looking forward to something--the second advent of Jesus--and it was this end goal that defined them.  They were moving towards something.  Adventism still ought to be that way, and GYC simply seeks to exemplify what it means to be a Bible-believing Seventh-day Adventist today.  It's so simple, and yet so needed and so profound.

It has all been a very awe-inspiring experience that reminds me of my humanity and weaknesses.  I've been learning to see the potential in people that God does.  Serving for GYC has also taught me the importance of training and mentorship, but also learning to think clearly, individually, and with a vision.  And, of course, there is ALWAYS a need for more helpers in many capacities, so please volunteer!”

GYC will be in Orlando, January 1 - 4, 2014
To hear the speakers of GYC Seattle, go to www.gycweb.org

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