In its 30th year of operation, the United Youth Congress will hold its eighth convention on April 19-23, 2006, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. Themed “No More Chains,” this congress will provide its participants a unique learning experience through leadership development and education that many will cherish.

“The purpose for the United Youth Congress is to increase awareness of the needs of youth within our community and to equip them with the tools to break the shackles that stifle their potential,” said Claude Harris II, chairperson of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association (BAYDA), the parent organization of the United Youth Congress, and director of youth ministries for the Allegheny East Conference.

Topics for workshops will include single parenting, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS awareness, employment, family and spiritual decline, gangs, homelessness, community and financial empowerment, and sexual promiscuity just to name a few. Other events will include an oratorical contest, drum corps and drill team exhibition, health fair rally, youth parade, and Bible Bowl.

In addition to the planned “fun” activities, attendees will participate in community service projects in the greater Atlanta community. “Service teaches kids life skills,” said Roger Wade, program coordinator for BAYDA. “This is needed more and more in our kids today,” he said.

Each evening, attendees will experience powerful presentations of “spiritual vitamins” from various ministers across the United States. Speakers will include James Black, NAD director of youth ministries; Jeannine Reid, Bible teacher at Greater Atlanta Adventist Academy; Jose Rojas, NAD director of volunteer ministries; Carlton “Buddy” Bird, pastor of the Bellfort church in Houston, Texas; and Paula Olivier, associate pastor of the Church of the Oranges in Orange, N.J.

About BAYDA

The mission of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association is to promote the spiritual, physical, academic, moral and cultural development of the youth of the North American Division. BAYDA’s members include youth leaders of the regional conferences of the North American Division as well as youth leaders in Southern, Southeastern, Central, and Northern California Conferences, North Pacific Union, Bermuda and Ontario conferences.

For more information on registration for the United Youth Congress in Atlanta, visit www.unitedyouthcongress.org.

United Youth Congress locations

· 1977 - Little Rock, AK (20,000)

· 1981 - Detroit, MI (15,000)

· 1984 - Atlanta, GA (36,000)

· 1989 - New Orleans, LA (30,000)

· 1993 - St. Petersburg, FL (22,000)

· 1997 - St. Louis, MO (18,000)

· 2001 - Indianapolis, IN (34,000)