"Save our youth. Lead them to Christ. Engage them with the church.”

Four years ago, delegates made statements like these during the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) constituency session. They voted that youth ministry be a very high priority.

What has happened since the year 2000?

Many ideas for ministry that were once mere seeds have sprung to life. And, as young people have received more nurture from caring adults, they are making decisions for Christ, volunteering for mission trips and actively engaging in worship and evangelism. A few highlights:

Summer Camp

Summer camp attendance has increased after several years of decline. Manuel Vitug, new director of children’s ministries and the Pine Springs camping program, designed action-packed programs that are also saturated with Christian values.

Leader Support

Local church youth leaders are prone to burn-out. Sandy Roberts, associate youth director for senior youth, developed I.C.U. (intensive care unit) training events and area youth leader meetings throughout the conference. “Leaders need encouragement. They need ideas. And they need opportunities for personal spiritual growth,” she explains.

Mission Trips

Roberts also has taken scores of youth on mission trips, lasting from three to 21 days, to Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, the Bahamas and Thailand. Trips combine the adventure of travel, hard work, spiritual reflection and, often, a first-hand look at poverty. Many have a life-changing experience.

Pathfinder Clubs

Pathfinder clubs in local churches help kids have fun in a safe, Christian atmosphere. Rudy Carrillo, director of the department, mentors a large core of committed leaders who oversee more than 80 clubs. About 43 SECC Pathfinders also assisted in an evangelistic meeting in Hong Kong in 2002.

Last month, 1,200 children and adult leaders from SECC participated in the international Pathfinder camporee in Oshkosh, Wis. In October, SECC Pathfinders will hold a Golden Jubilee Camporee. SECC held its first camporee in 1954, kicking off a tradition that is celebrated throughout the world Church.

Evangelism

Approximately one-third of Adventist children attend Adventist schools. Who ministers to all the others attending public schools? Yami Bazan, associate director for academy and high school youth, has instigated an annual Bible conference for high school students. In addition, she has coordinated an outreach project called L.E.T. (Latino Evangelism Team). As a by-product, LET helped bridge gaps between the adults and second- and third-generation Hispanic youth. The project culminated in worship and praise at the Crystal Cathedral, as does Power Week, an annual student-led week of prayer in academies.

Other Activities

Marc Woodson, associate director for multicultural ministry (one-quarter time), and Brian Neal, director of young adult ministry (half-time), join with the full-timers in speaking for Weeks of Prayer. They also work with youth pastors to provide a full-range of youth activities during the camp meetings sponsored by black and Hispanic ministries and at summer beach vespers programs, youth congresses, contemporary Christian concerts, prayer retreats and much more.

Resources

The SECC youth department also houses an extensive youth resource lending library for local churches, including program kits, equipment, and current ideas and curricula for ministry (books and videos). A website (www.seccyouth.com) provides up-to-the minute news, information about coming events and photos of recent happenings.

“Each activity is designed to attract and involve Adventist young people in the church,” comments Carrillo. “Our goal is to introduce them to Christ and empower them to minister.”

Were You There … in 1954?

The Southeastern California Conference made Pathfinder history in 1954 when the first camporee west of the Mississippi River took place at a junior camp in Idyllwild, attracting about 300 Pathfinders and counselors. Pathfinders pitched pup tents which Lawrence Paulson purchased from the Army for 15 cents. Youth directors Charles Martin and Harry Garlick organized the event; Clark Smith conducted the Friday night vespers.

If you attended the 1954 camporee, please contact Rudy Carrillo, director, Youth Department, Southeastern California Conference, P.O. Box 8050, Riverside, CA 92515, or call 951-790-2520.

“We are eager to have as many as possible of the original 1954 campers join us for our golden anniversary celebration on October 7-10,” Carrillo says.