Accent 2007 Q3 - Help!

in this issue: abortion sUicide obesity gangs abuse
viewIT: movie/dvd review

® Prepare to peel out with In Freedom Writers (2007),
this revved-up animated Hilary Swank stars as a young
Editorial Staff
adventure featuring classic teacher who inspires her at-
Baraka G. Muganda risk students in this moving
Department Director automobiles, plenty of
[email protected] fender benders, guffaws drama based on true events.
Jonatán Tejel galore and a Route 66 road Erin Gruwell (Swank) assigns
Editor her class an ambitious project:
[email protected] trip with a crew that doesn’t
make pit stops. The star- While studying works such as
Hiskia I. Missah The Diary of Anne Frank,
Associate Editor studded voice cast includes
[email protected] Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, the kids keep journals about
Maria A. Dunchie Bonnie Hunt and Cheech their troubled lives, applying history’s lessons to
Layout & Design, Editorial Assistant
[email protected] Marin. Nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar, break the cycle of violence and despair that threatens
Kimberly Luste Maran Cars won Best Animated Film in the first category of its their futures. Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton and Patrick
Copy Editor kind at the 2007 Golden Globes. Dempsey co-star.
Starring: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman ... Starring: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton ...
Editorial Advisors
Director: John Lasseter Director: Richard LaGravenese
Jan Paulsen
Matthew A. Bediako Genre: Children & Family Genre: Drama
Robert E. Lemon Format: Widescreen ...
Armando Miranda Format: Widescreen ...
Language: English ... Language: English ...
Regional Representatives
G General audiences. All ages admitted. PG-13 For violent content, some thematic material and language
Mulumba Tshimanga • East-Central Africa Division
[email protected]
Corrado Cozzi • Euro-Africa Division
[email protected]
Will Smith (in an Oscar-
Peter Sirotkin • Euro-Asia Division
[email protected] One Night with the King nominated role) and his
Bernando Rodriguez • Inter-American Division chronicles the brave and real-life son, Jaden, star
[email protected]
historic legend of Hadassah in this tear–jerker about
Balvin B. Braham • Inter-American Division (Tiffany Dupont), a Jewish a struggling single parent
[email protected]
orphan with exceptional determined to build a
James Black • North American Division better life for himself and
[email protected] beauty who rises to become
Queen Esther of Persia and his child. In the Pursuit
Manny Cruz • North American Division
[email protected] saves Persian Jews from of Happyness Chris
Dong Hee Shin • Northern Asia-Pacific Division genocide. By revealing Gardner is smart and
[email protected] talented, but his dead-end salesman job barely pays
her heritage to the king,
Otimar Goncalves • South American Division the bills. When he and his 5-year-old son are evicted
[email protected] Esther thwarts the plan by evil Prime Minister Haman
from their apartment, they face trying times as Chris
Gilbert Cangy • South Pacific Division to annihilate all Jews in the Persian Empire. The annual
[email protected] takes on an unpaid internship at a stock brokerage
festival of Purim is inspired by Queen Esther’s heroism.
Nickolas Kross • South Pacific Division firm with hopes of getting rich someday.
[email protected] Starring: Tiffany Dupont, Luke Goss ...
Starring: Will Smith, Thandie Newton ...
Jobbie Yabut • Southern Asia-Pacific Division Director: Michael O. Sajbel Director: Gabriele Muccino
[email protected]
Genre: Drama Genre: Drama
Lionel F. Lyngdoh • Southern Asia Division
lyngdoh@sud_adventist.org Format: Widescreen ... Format: Widescreen ...
Paul Tompkins • Trans-European Division Language: English Language: English ...
[email protected]
Eugene Fransch • Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division
Subtitles: English ... Subtitle: English ...
[email protected] Awards: Academy Award® Nominee ...
For violent content, some thematic material and language
Emmanuel Nlo Nlo • Western Africa Division
[email protected] PG-13 PG-13 For some language
editorial
listen to them Jonatán Tejel
It’s a Friday, I am picking up Edera, my 5-year- I was thinking differently than she. “No, Daddy, I
old daughter, from school; she comes out with a can go with you now, on this trip, then the next trip
big smile on her face and eyes sparkling as she Edera [her sister] will go with you, and the next one
says “Dad, there is a boy in the school, so nice, Mama can go with you, so we will not feel alone
so gentle. I want to marry him.” Well, I tried and neither will you.”
not to laugh too much; I tried to joke about it, I couldn’t talk. No sound came out of my mouth.
asking his name, his address, his parents names; I wanted to cry. I hugged her as we parted. I must
you know, the type of questions you would ask admit, I did not have a nice trip because I kept
a teenager, not a 5-year-old girl. I was shocked, thinking on her words, “We will not feel alone and
(maybe I should get a shotgun...just a thought) but neither will you”. It made me lonely.
I wondered if she will be coming to me when she
turns 15 to tell me that she is in love. Sure, I would This quarter our focus is on helping hurting youth.
like to be the first one to know what she wants, One way we can help them is to listen to them…
what she needs, what she is crying for, what she Listen to your children when they are young; when
is laughing at, who she is with. I would love to be you mean everything to them. Learn from each of
the first to know her thoughts…. But you know, their words. Show them your love. We know Jesus
although I would like to be, I am not sure I will be is the most important person to all of us, including
the most important person in her life at that time. our children; but they must see you as the most
important person in this world to them. Only as
Astrid, my 7-year-old daughter, broke my heart
they trust you now will you be able to help them
in a thousand pieces. In my job I travel a lot, and
tomorrow. Only if you show them that you care for
as I was at the airport getting ready to leave on
them today, will they approach you tomorrow.
one of my trips, Astrid piped in, “Daddy, I have an
excellent idea.” “Okay, tell me, what is it?” “You May God give you the wisdom to recognize when
know Daddy, I think I have to come with you on to talk. Help hurting youth! Wisdom to know when
this trip…” I stopped her. “No darling, you know to listen. Help hurting youth! And the wisdom to
this is not possible, we don’t have the money, know what decisions to make. Help hurting youth!
and now, we don’t even have your clothes.” But God bless you. a
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Table of Contents 3rd quarter 2007
toc
8 34 36
FEATURES DEPARTMENTS
7/The Story Behind Our Logo by Robert 2 viewIT/ movie and dvd review
Holbrook Tracing the history and changes of the
logos of the SDA Youth Ministries Department. 3 editorial / Listen to Them. . .by Jonatán Tejel
8/Our Church and Abortion by Gerald R. 5 Contributors to this issue
Winslow, Ph.D. Examining our church’s stand on
abortion. 18 Keeping It Real / Issues by Maria Dunchie
11/Suicide and the Bible by Angel Manuel
17 IdeaPack Toolbox / Resources and Programming ideas
Rodriguez, Th.D. Examining the Bible’s stance on
Suicide
27 Devotional / Before I Start to Help... by A. Allan Martin
28/Incarnation Ministry: Changed by Carlos
Acosta One youth director’s testimony of God’s 34 viewPOINT / Obesity by Robert Holbrook
amazing Grace
42 readIT / Book Review
34/Obesity and Youth Ministry
by Robert Holbrook Taking a look at obesity and the 43 listenIT / CD review
dangers to today’s youth
36/Suicide by G. C. Youth Ministries Department
It’s a very serious problem among young people. COVER: Roberto González
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER visit us online at online at youth.gc.adventist.org

contributors
is a founding member of
the California Technology
Gerald Winslow is Professor
Assessment Forum, a public
of Christian Ethics at Loma
forum for the evaluation of We continue our celebra-
Linda University. He is also Corrado Cozzi is the Youth
new health care technologies. tion of 100 years of service to
Vice President for Spiritual Director of the Euro-Africa
Life of Loma Linda University Professor Winslow is the youth of the Seventh-day
married to Doctor Betty Division of SDA. In this issue
Adventist Health Sciences Adventist Church with Robert Corrado introduces us to the
Center. Wehtje Winslow, who teaches Holbrook’s “The Story Behind
community health nursing at current Value Genesis survey
He received his Our Logo”. In this article Bob that is taking place across
Loma Linda University. The takes a look at the changes the
undergraduate education at Europe and the Euro-Africa
Winslows have two daughters, logos have gone through.
Walla Walla College and his regions. (page 16)
Lisa who is a computer Robert Holbrook is the
masters degree at Andrews
software engineer and Angela Youth Director of the Oklaho-
University. He earned his
who is an occupational ma Conference. (pages 7, 34)
doctorate from the Graduate
therapist. (page 8)
Theological Union in Berkeley.
For the past thirty years, he
has specialized in teaching and
writing about ethics, especially
biomedical ethics. His books
include Triage and Justice
published by the University
of California Press and Facing
Limits from Westview Press.
His articles have appeared in
academic journals such as the
Western Journal of Medicine, A. Allan Martin, PhD, CFLE
the Journal of Pediatrics, The is the Associate Professor
Angel Manuel Rodriguez of Discipleship and Family
Hastings Center Report,
Carlos Acosta is a youth (Th.D., Andrews University) Ministry, at the Seventh-
the Journal of Medicine and
pastor and the youth director is director of the Biblical day Adventist Theological
Philosophy, and General
for the Hispanic region of Research Institute of the Seminary. Allan and his wife,
Dentistry. He has presented
lectures and seminars at the Southern California Seventh-day Adventist Church Deirdre, are cofounders of
universities and for professional Conference. in Silver Spring, Maryland, dre.am VISION ministries
groups throughout North At the time this article was U.S.A. (info@dreamVISIONministries.
America and in Australia and written Carlos was serving His article, “Suicide and the org), dedicated to
Europe. He currently serves as an Intern Assistant to the Bible” takes a closer look at empowering new generations
as an ethics consultant to a Youth Director of the North cases of suicide in the Bible. It in Christian lifestyle and
variety of organizations. He American Division. (page 28) appears on page 11. leadership. (page 27)
youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

2008 Yout
h Week of Prayer,
BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR
DO A FEW THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

Plan ahead. Take the lead. Involve the youth.
Choose your speakers. Pick your songs. Locate the
place. Talk about it in church. Pray. Expect miracles.
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER Order your copy at www.youth.gc.adventist.org youth ministry accent

The Story Behind
Our Logo By Robert Holbrook
Early efforts at some kind of organization for and on behalf of our youth
carried with them titles. Some titles were simple, some were a bit long. In
Wisconsin Luther Warren began what he simply called Sunshine Bands in
1894. In Nebraska the year before an organization began with the title of Young
People’s Society of Christian Service—a bit of a mouthful at the least! Entities
Yes, our AY Logo has need something that distinguishes them easily and so along with titles, various
emblems were developed which would serve as a pictorial representation of the
its own history. It title and of the objectives of the entity. Most of these early organizations had
something, but they are lost to us today—until someone comes across one by
is a history nestled accident in hidden dusty corners of an attic or long forgotten files.
into the beginnings By 1901 the church officialized youth ministry by introducing the Young
People’s Department as a part of the Sabbath School Department and the
of youth ministry in activities were referred to as the Young People’s Work. By 1907 this work
had grown so much that the General Conference voted to finally establish the
our church and its Young People’s Department on its own feet with its own leadership—enter M.
E. Kern, one of the early proponents of youth ministry in Nebraska. The new
various titles. department chose to name its societies as Young People’s Missionary Volunteer
Societies and abbreviated it by Y. P. M. V. S.—still rather cumbersome to our
streamlined views today. However, it was also the catalyst for the new logo
which would be only superficially modified through even today.
continue on page 14
youth
youth ministry
ministry accent
accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
cover story
Our Church Abortion and
By Gerald R. Winslow, Ph.D.
The appetizers had nearly disappeared, and dinner was about to arrive. We were
looking forward to a pleasant evening, sharing a meal with close friends at a fine
restaurant. Then my friend’s beeper went off. It was an emergency. One of his
obstetrical patients was in the hospital hemorrhaging. Just as the waiter brought
dinner, my physician friend rushed from the restaurant and headed to the hospital.
At his home later that evening, while eating his reheated meal, he recounted
the story. One of his patients, a young Hispanic wife, had been hoping to become
pregnant. Conception had occurred. But instead of attaching to her uterine wall,
the embryo had attached to the fallopian tube. The result was an ectopic pregnancy
that could not continue. The physician was saddened by the fact that he had needed
to end a pregnancy that both he and his patient had hoped would result in a healthy
baby. It was this young prospective mother’s first pregnancy, and the resulting
damage to her fallopian tube might reduce her changes of having children in the
future. Moreover, she was Roman Catholic, and morally opposed to abortion. But
even her priest advised her to let the doctor “practice good medicine.” There was
simply no hope for developing a viable fetus, and the pregnancy was a serious threat
to her life.
This difficult case illustrates only a fraction of the complexity when the termination
of any pregnancy is given careful consideration. What reasons, if any, are morally
sufficient to justify an abortion? Who can best weigh these reasons? Who should
be authorized to decide? In the culture I know best, no social issue has been more
contentious. And the moral discourse, as conveyed by the popular media, seldom
rises above the level of bumper stickers. People are supposed to be “pro-life” or
“pro-choice.” Their arguments are so well-known, and apparently so intransigent, it
would be easy to wonder if any new understanding is possible.
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

is permanent
abortion
abortion
is serious
Against this background, first-time divided societies, and sometimes gift should be respected and protected
readers of the Seventh-day Adventist even strained relationships within (Ex. 2:13; 23:7). They also affirm the
“Guidelines on Abortion” are ofen communities claiming Christian faith. important responsibility of persons
surprised.1 (And, in truth, many The Adventist guidelines also provide of faith to explore the Scriptures and
Adventists are unaware that these meaningful direction to those who, learn to make principled decisions for
“Guidelines” exist.) I have noticed, like my physician friend, need to make themselves (Acts 17:11). They call
for example, that my medical students difficult decisions. the church to practical expressions
usually express appreciative surprise of faith and love that help to
The Adventist statement is
restore those who have experienced
that our church has developed accompanied by a dozen biblical
brokenness (Gal. 6:1, 2; Phil. 2:1-11).
biblically-based norms that rise principles that serve as the ethical
above the bumper stickers. I believe basis for the guidelines.2 In my view, Based on such biblical truths, the
that the principles of the official it is best to read these principles first. Adventist guidelines incorporate
Adventist statement have helped They affirm that God is the source of seven important principles. While
our church avoid the seemingly the unique gift of human life (Gen. readers should be encouraged to
interminable debates that have often 1:27; 2:7; Acts 17:25-28), and this consider the full statement of the
The following is a list of useful abortion statistics. All abortion numbers are derived from pro-abortion
sources, courtesy of The Alan Guttmacher Institute and Planned Parenthood’s Family Planning Perspectives.
WORLDWIDE
Number of abortions per year: Approximately 46 million
Number of abortions per day: Approximately 126,000
Where abortions occur: 78% of all abortions are obtained in developing countries and 22%
occur in developed countries.
Legality of abortion: About 26 million women obtain legal abortions each year, while an
additional 20 million abortions are obtained in countries where it is restricted or prohibited by law.
Abortion averages: Worldwide, the lifetime average is about one abortion per woman.

guidelines, let me summarize what I consider to be the physician friend acted in a biblically principled way when
essence of each one: he saved a young wife’s life, and did his best to preserve
•Prenatal human life should be respected and her ability to become pregnant in the future. He respected
her decisions, and he took the ethically responsible course
protected as God’s unique gift. This means that
abortion is never a morally trivial matter, and it can only under the tragic circumstances.
be justified for the weightiest reasons. It should also be evident that most of the abortions
•The church should offer gracious support, rather than performed in our society would not comport with the
Adventist guidelines, which specifically rule out abortions
condemnation, to those who are personally confronted
with a crisis pregnancy. for purposes of convenience or birth control. However, if
someone insists on asking if the Adventist position is “pro-
•The church should express its strong commitment to life” or “pro-choice,” the only accurate answer would be
human life by engaging in practical actions that reduce that the values of life and of responsible freedom are both
or eliminate many of the forces that lead to abortion. espoused. In carefully nuanced language, our church’s
•In those tragic cases when abortion is deemed guidelines seek to preserve our commitment to life and
necessary, because of reasons such as threats to the our commitment to the value of individual conscience. In
pregnant woman’s life or health, the final decision rightly their affirmation of personal responsibility, the guidelines
belongs to the one who is pregnant. reflect the words of Ellen White: “In matters of conscience
•In making decisions about her pregnancy, the woman the soul must be left untrammeled. No one is to control
another’s mind, to judge for another, or to prescribe his
is accountable to God, and she should not be met with
attempts at coercion. duty. God gives every soul freedom to think, and to
follow his own convictions.”3 Every thoughtful member
•The church’s health care institutions should be of our community of faith should be grateful for a church
provided with the guidance as they develop their that offers balanced, biblically principled guidance while
policies in harmony with the principles stated by the showing deep respect for personal conscience. a
Church, and these institutional policies should make
provision for individual conscience.
•Members of the church are encouraged to study the
principles of Scripture and develop their own sense of (Endnotes)
moral responsibility regarding abortion. 1 The Seventh-day Adventist “Guidelines on Abortion”
are available on the church’s Web site at http://www.adventist.
Will these Adventist guidelines ensure that all members
org/beliefs/guidelines/main_guide1.html
of our church arrive at identical conclusions about difficult
cases? No. As one who has spent decades providing 2 This statement is titled “Principles for a Christian View
ethical consultations on complex clinical cases, I know for of Life” and is available with the SDA guidelines at the web
certain that honest-hearted people will sometimes disagree. site listed above. It was the intention of those who wrote both
But the guidelines do provide significant assistance for the “Guidelines” and the “Principles” that these statements
those who are motivated by the Spirit to do the right thing. should always appear together as a unified document.
For example, in light of the Adventist guidelines, my 3 The Desire of Ages, p. 550.
10 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

Suicide and the Bible
By Angel Manuel Rodríguez
youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 11

Suicide is usually defined as the taking of one’s of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around
own life. The emotional scars left in family and friends him,” killing himself (1 Kings 16:18, NIV). Judas was so
are deep, and produce not only feelings of loneliness, emotionally disturbed after betraying Jesus that he hanged
but particularly a sense of guilt and disorientation. In himself (Matthew 27:5). Samson took his own life and
providing an answer, I’ll have to limit my comments to the that of many prominent enemies by causing the collapse
following brief observations. of a building (Judges 16:29, 30). After the earthquake,
Let’s first distinguish between suicide and martyrdom, the Philippian jailer concluded that the prisoners had
escaped, and attempted to kill himself out of fear, but Paul
which is the willingness to surrender our lives for
persuaded him not to do so (Acts 16:26-28).
fundamental convictions that we hold to be non–
With increased awareness of the warning

signs of youthful suicide, the chances
increase that a suicide can be prevented
negotiable, and heroic acts of self-sacrifice that result 2. Comments on the biblical incidents: From the incidents
in the preservation of other lives (for example, a soldier listed above, we notice several things: First, most of the
throwing himself or herself on a grenade to save others). suicides took place in the context of war, in which killing
While suicide is fundamentally a denial of the value of oneself is the result of fear or shame.
our present life and the final solution to a life perceived Second, other cases are more personal and reflect,
as unbearable, those other cases are expressions of respect in addition to fear, a poor self-image, or low self-esteem.
and love for life. All of them take place when the individual is in a highly
I will list the cases of suicide or attempted suicide emotional state of mind.
recorded in the Bible, draw some conclusions, and make Third, suicide is mentioned without passing any
some general comments. judgment on the morality of the action. That doesn’t
1. Cases of suicide in the Bible: Abimelech, mortally mean that it is morally right; it indicates that the biblical
wounded by a millstone thrown on him by a woman, writer is simply describing what took place.
asked his armor-bearer to kill him to escape shame (Judges The moral impact of suicide is addressed through a
9:54). Saul, after being seriously wounded in battle, killed biblical understanding of human life: God created it, and
himself (1 Samuel 31:4). Seeing what the king did, the we are not the owners to use it and dispose of it as we
armor-bearer “fell on his own sword and died with him” please. The Sixth Commandment also has something
(vs. 5, NIV). These deaths were motivated by fear of to say about the topic. Therefore, a Christian should
what the enemy would do to them. Ahithophel, one of not consider suicide a morally valid solution to the
King Absalom’s counselors, hanged himself after realizing predicament of living in a world where there is physical
that the king had rejected his advice (2 Samuel 17:23). and emotional pain.
Zimri became king after a coup d’état, but finding that 3. Comments and suggestions: How then should we
the people did not support him, he went into “the citadel relate to the suicide of a loved one?

First, psychology and psychiatry have revealed Third, with God’s assistance, we can face guilt in a
that suicide is very often the result of profound constructive way, keeping in mind that often those who
emotional upheaval or biochemical imbalances commit suicide needed professional help that most of us
associated with a deep state of depression and fear. were unable to provide.
We shouldn’t pass judgment on the person who Finally, if you are ever tempted to commit suicide,
has opted for suicide under those circumstances. there is professional help available, medications that
Second, God’s perfect justice takes into can help you overcome depression, friends who love you
consideration the intense turmoil occurring in our and would do all they can to help you, and a God who is
troubled minds. He understands us better than willing to work with you and through others to sustain you
anyone else. We must place the eternal future of as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
our loved ones into His loving hands. Never give up hope! a
Risk factors for teenage suicide Teen suicide warning signs

Teen suicide statistics offer a look at the It is important to take the warning signs of teen suicide seriously and to
most likely causes of teen suicide. Some seek help if you think that you know a teenager who might be suicidal.
of the strongest risk factors include the Here are some of the things to look for:
following: • Disinterest in favorite extracurricular activities
• Aggressive behavior • Problems at work and losing interest in a job
• Disruptive behavior • Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug use (illegal and legal drugs)
• Substance abuse • Behavioral problems
• Depression • Withdrawing from family and friends
These are risk factors that play on the • Sleep changes
often tumultuous feelings experienced by • Changes in eating habits
teenagers. Intense feelings can contribute • Neglect of hygiene and other matters of personal appearance
to a teen’s sense of helplessness and to • Emotional distress brings on physical complaints (aches, fatigues,
a general feeling that life is not worth migraines)
living. Taking these feelings seriously is an • Difficulties concentrating and paying attention
important part of preventing teen suicide. • Declining grades in school
Another risk factor to consider is the • Loss of interest in schoolwork
presence of firearms. Because firearms are • Risk–taking behaviors
used in more than half of teen suicides, it • Complaints of boredom are more frequent
is important to realize that easy access to • Not as responsive as before to praise
a firearm and ammunition can contribute Not all of these teen suicide warning signs will be present in cases of
to a teenage death by suicide. Teenagers possible teen suicide. There are many cases in which a good student
who express suicidal thoughts and feelings commits suicide. It is important to watch for two or three signs as
should not have ready access to firearms. indications of depression, or even teen suicidal thoughts.

continued from page 7
The oldest logo I have been able the Master Guide and given its own
to locate so far is found on the front identity, a globe divided by a cross
cover of the little book Steps to Christ, was selected as its emblem. Three
in its special Army-Navy edition during flying angels were placed on one side
World War I (circa 1917-1918). It and the letters AY were on the other
shows a simple circle with the letters side. However there was considerable
MV within. The book Missionary confusion for some years as to the
Volunteers and Their Work by Matilda use of this new logo. It has been
Erickson, first published around 1920, used to represent the AY Society,
shows the same circle concept with youth ministry as a total package,
a map drawing of the Americas and and numerous other uses. The
Africa and just the Southwestern requirements for the AYL (Adventist
Iberian corner of Europe. It served Youth Leader) were nearly forgotten
nearly unchanged for the early in many parts of the world field and
cloisonné class pins, first Pathfinder the Master Guide logo continued to
uniform worlds, and other uses. The symbolize the leadership level in youth
first tin pins used for the JMV classes ministry—both junior and senior. It
that came out in 1922 were also a has been only recently that the logo
world map (showing more of Euro- has again regained its own turf as the The AY Story and the Pathfinder
Asia along with the Americas) and emblem of the leadership for senior Story books are both available
the letters J. M. V. boldly across the youth—thanks to the introduction of online at
front. The letters MV or JMV seem the Ambassadors as a club for senior
to have been used interchangeably youth and subsequent development of youth.gc.adventist.org
on the world map background for the the manuals for club administration
progressive classes but otherwise M. and basic senior youth leadership
V. always represented the senior youth development.
organization and the JMV stood for
While the historical details and
the juniors—until the change from
trivia regarding our logos might be
Missionary Volunteers to Adventist
interesting and can even generate some
Youth (AY) in 1979. An interesting
discussion about just exactly when and
example of the interchangeable usage of
where each came about or how and why
MV and JMV can be seen in C. Lester
and when each should be used, we must
Bond’s little book published in 1938,
not loose sight of the representation
Ideals For Juniors. The title page of the
of them through the years: “The
book has a blue and white circle-map
Advent Message to all the World in
with red MV letters, the next page of
My Generation”; and the sum of all
authorship information has a black and
that is youth ministry in the Seventh-
white circle-map with the letters JMV.
day Adventist Church: “Salvation and
When senior youth leadership Service.” Without that focus, logos
development was separated from have no validity at all. a

keeping it real
maria dunchie
k
in this Issue 3 don’ts
While we cannot cover all the issues facing our youth in one
quarter, we will try to address three very disturbing ones, Suicide,
Abortion and Obesity.
Whether it’s a son, daughter, parent or friend, nothing is worst
than hearing that someone has committed suicide. And for the
youth leader, nothing is harder than when that suicide touches
their ministry—it leaves an unanswered finality that is completely
devastating for those left behind to pick up the pieces. In this issue, Corrado Cozzi
While a study done by Lubell, Swahn, Crosby, and Kegler in answer the question: Name at
2004 shows that the overall rate of suicide among youth world- least three things that should not
wide has declined slowly since 1992, it is still the third leading be allowed in a youth group?
cause of death among young people between the ages of 15 to
24. As a church, and particularly as youth leaders, this should be a
very serious cause for concern.
Studies also suggest that from late July to August a lot more Unrealistic promises
youth commit suicide than other times of the year. This seems It destroys the ability of the group to continue to dream.
to be an especially troubling time for many teenagers, as they
prepare to return to school, and for some, begin college or embark Unfinished Projects
on career path. ... leaves a sense of weakness and incapacity to get the
On pages 11-13, Angel Manuel Rodriguez examines what the aims.
Bible says about suicide in his article, “Suicide and the Bible.” And
on pages 36, “Suicide” attempts to give insight into many of the Unresolved conflicts
problems faced by young people. ... fosters hypocrisy and encourages cynicism that
Abortion is one of the “hot” issues for people worldwide, even destroys the unity of the group.
among Christians. Many conservative Christians say that abortion
is murdering an unborn child, while many other people, including
Corrado Cozzi, Youth Director of the Euro-
Christians, say that a woman should have the right to choose an Africa Division, Switzerland
abortion if she thinks that is what is best for her. On page 8, in
“Our Church and Abortion,” Dr. Gerald Winslow, Professor of Chris-
tian Ethics at Loma Linda University and Vice President for Spiritual
Life of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, Send your questions on youth leadership to: Youth Ministry
shares the church’s viewpoint on abortion. Accent , General Conference Youth Ministries Department,
12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904 or by
Obesity. For years the numbers have been been steadily rising.
e-mail to [email protected]
Read Robert Holbrook’s article (p. 34) on this troubling trend. a

division news: EUD & TED
VALUEGENESIS EUROPE:
A Study of the Influence of Family, Church and Society on the Formation of Faith in Seventh-day Adventists Young People
By Corrado Cozzi, Youth Director of the Euro-Africa Division of SDA
Valuegenesis Europe is the big- project. The reference to the mous. We will not stop at only Dutch, Norwegian, Slovenian,
gest Adventist youth survey ever mouse of your computer as considering the figures that Swedish. Can you imagine the
organized within the 17 partici- instrument for the mentioned the whole statistical packet of huge work hidden behind this
pating European countries. This change is not casual. In fact, the investigation will disclose. project?
was a big challenge involving the survey will be completed The young people are not As we support this effort we
not only the youth departments online. This is truly a new just statistics for us. They are are aware that the results of
but the entire church. approach. people that shout, that express the Valuegenesis Europe survey
The survey examined the This study embraces more themselves in various ways. could be useful in many areas:
youth relationship with the than 25,000 young people At times it seems that they 1. A better comprehension
family, the church, and their between 14 and 25 years of shout in the desert, and they of how youth see the church in
religious and social ideals. age, in more than 25 European have become to tired to fight. all its dimensions;
Armed by these proposals a countries. It would have been The voices that we will hear
mission statement that points difficult to print questionnaires will allow us to support and to 2. Equip the church to
out the core of the project was in 17 different languages. initiate the change that the handle the most important
created: To understand how Unimaginable! Manuela Casti, church, as such, requires. We challenges of today’s youth;
European Adventist youth live teacher at Collonges Semi- will also find the reason for the 3. A better awareness
out their faith, in order to de- nary, director of the Center great loss of young people that about responsibilities that youth
velop a culturally-appropriate José Figols and director of the we have been recording in the can accept within the church;
strategy for Adventist youth project, had the great idea to Valuegenesis Europe survey. 4. To highlight the weak
ministry and mission. produce it online. This project has been areas in order to empower
The questionnaire covered To be able to participate, developed in a joint effort youth leadership in the church;
areas like faith maturity, person- youth receive a personal pass- between the Euro-Africa and 5. To have an answer re-
al spirituality, relationship with word from their pastor or local Trans-European Divisions. garding the apparent inactivity
the church, commitment to youth director. They can open Unions involved in this project of youth and challenge them to
Adventist doctrines, behavioral the Web page www.valuegen- are (EUD): Austrian Union; be partner of the mission.
standards, and social ethics. esis.org, follow the instructions, Bulgarian Union; Czech Con-
One of the biggest challeng- and have a good time answer- ference; Franco-Belgian Union; 6. To help the church es-
es we face with today’s youth ing the questions. North German Union; South tablish which changes must be
is their desire to see some While the data will be German Union; Italian Union; adopted in order to allow the
changes applied in the society, analyzed by a professional Portuguese Union; Rumanian youth to feel they are owners
especially in the domain of the company, the whole research Union; Slovakian Conference; and partners of the mission.
church. For this reason, the network has been supplied by Spanish Union; Swiss Union; We are getting to the end
slogan we chose for the whole scientific commission com- and (TED): Adriatic Union; of this world. Jesus is about to
project asks: “Who is chang- posed of teachers from the British Union; Netherlands return. It is time to strengthen
ing the church? You are! Your three division colleges (Collon- Union; Swedish Union; Danish the potential of the church to
mouse can change it. Be our ges, Friedensau, Newbold). Union; Norwegian Union. complete the mission given
partner, have your say!” Some youth may wonder: The questionnaire has been to us by Jesus. Every youth of
This idea came from Ana Ju- What is the advantage of translated in Bulgarian, Czech, the church has their precise
lia Grave, a young Portuguese participating in this project? French, German, Italian, Portu- assignment to accomplish. It
woman, whom we have com- Honestly, on the qualitative guese, Romanian, Slovakian, is our duty to give them this
missioned to design the graphic plan the advantages are enor- Spanish, Croatian, Danish, opportunity. a

pages 17-26
i dtoolbox
e a pa c
RENEWING PEERS Tips on using this section
When properly planned the programs

Street Gang
Invite the musicians in your youth group to create a “street gang for God” and take the gos- in this section can be a real eye-
pel in song to local youth hang-outs in your area. After obtaining permission from the proper opener for you and your youth group.
authorities, set up on a street corner or outside a popular eatery and let other young people Make sure to:
•wellPrepare
know that you love God. Have the non-musical members of your group pass out literature.
ahead. Get all resources
pixel power in advance. Be sure to preview
Set up a Web site where your youth can post testimonies, pictures of recent youth activi- all videos well in advance before
ties, and a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section focusing on spiritual matters of interest showing them to the group so you
of young people. Include a health section, with information from experts, showing how to will be prepared to any questions
overcome addictions or live a healthier lifestyle. Place that Web address on material distrib- they may have.
uted to youth in your area.

renewing the church in action
•guests,
If the topic calls for professional
please make your contact
Create a section in your church’s worship service each month where your youth can share well ahead of time. It might be a
with their church family what they did during the past four weeks to spread the Good News. good idea to involve your pastor and/
Have them reenact in skits or readings what they did for Jesus and explain how that interac- or church board in these decisions.
tion affected their lives.
youth church •handouts

Handouts. Copy and cut out your
ahead of time. If it is a
Arrange for a once-a-quarter youth-led worship service at your church. Have the youth pre- subject that includes statistics and
pare and present the entire program. Explain to your group that good marketing (even when
information to take home.
you are “selling” Christianity) focuses on the needs of the target audience. Ask the youth to
plan a program acceptable to the church members even if it may not be their “style.”

PROGRAMMING
Ready-to-use-resources suicide
Program Target: To help youth understand the issues involving teen suicide so they can be prepared to help others,
and seek help themselves if they are in need.
What to do: Show the video “Echo in the Night,” a 30-minute

Christian video about teen suicide. After the video, open the
floor for discussion. Use the discussion questions below to get From the World Health Organization
things started, but be sensitive to the flow of the discussion and http://www.who.int/en/
where the group’s thinking is. If anyone in your group has a
friend or family member who has committed suicide, this may Suicide prevention (SUPRE)
come out in discussion and need to be handled sensitively. Also,
be aware that it’s not unusual for members of your group to
The problem
have had suicidal thoughts even if they haven’t shared them
with anyone. Be sure to communicate the message that it’s OK
• In the year 2000, approximately one million people died
from suicide: a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or
to talk to someone about thoughts of suicide and that help is
one death every 40 seconds.
available—and most of all, remind them that God cares.
• In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by
Preparation Time: Obtain the video well in advance and 60% worldwide. Suicide is now among the three leading
preview it before showing to the group so you’ll be prepared causes of death among those aged 15-44 years (both
for any questions that might arise. sexes); these figures do not include suicide attempts
up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicide.
Resources: “Echo in the Night” is a Gospel Films video and can
be ordered online from www.christianvideoetc.com for US$15.99 • Suicide worldwide is estimated to represent 1.8% of
Also available at www.faithresourcecenter.com the total global burden of disease in 1998, and 2.4% in
countries with market and former socialist economies in
2020.
Discussion Questions: • Although traditionally suicide rates have been highest
1. What are some of the reasons people commit suicide? among the male elderly, rates among young people have
been increasing to such an extent that they are now
2. Why do you think the rates of teen suicide are increasing? the group at highest risk in a third of countries, in both
developed and developing countries.
3. What are some of the warning signs of suicide?
• Mental disorders (particularly depression and substance
4. What would you do if a very good friend constantly abuse) are associated with more than 90% of all cases
threatens suicide, but makes you promise not to tell anyone? of suicide; however, suicide results from many complex
sociocultural factors and is more likely to occur particularly
5. What could do to help a friend who is suicidal? Can during periods of socioeconomic, family and individual crisis
you think of any Scripture you can share with your friend? situations (e.g. loss of a loved one, employment, honour).

PROGRAMMING
Ready-to-use-resources affirmation
Program Target: To help youth affirm one another and know that God affirms them.
What to do: This activity is valuable on a number of Bible Text:

levels. It gives people practice affirming Psalm 8:3-5
PART ONE: Seat your group in a large circle and saying positive things about each
(if you have more than 20 people, divide other, helps them graciously accept Song Service:
into two or more groups of less than 20 positive things said about themselves, “I Am A Promise”
each, and proceed from there). Give each and then allows everyone to view the
person an envelope with 20 small slips of positive statements people have made
paper. Direct each person to write his or about each other.
her name on the envelope and pass it to
the person on their right. When someone Preparation Time: This requires only
gets their neighbor’s envelope, they are a little preparation time (about an hour)
to write something positive, something to get envelopes, slips of paper, pens or
they like or admire about that person, on pencils, poster board, glue and markers
one of the slips of paper and put it back ready. However, you may also want to
in the envelope, then pass the envelope give the activity some thought based on
on. When the envelopes have traveled what you know about your group. If your
around the circle back to their owners, each group contains a lot of younger teens, or
person should have an envelope full of many people who are very critical of others,
positive statements about him/herself. Give you may want to structure the activity
everyone some time to read through their so that you get to preview everyone’s
affirmations. envelope briefly before giving it back to
them, to make sure no one has written
PART TWO: Give each person some poster anything negative. If this is necessary, you
board and a glue stick and have them create can collect the envelopes, fill the time with
a collage with their affirmations. They should some singing while you quickly preview
write their names only on the back of the them, and hand them back to their owners Dialogue is a 36-page journal published
poster. They can also decorate them using after the singing. three times a year in four parallel language
markers, etc. Collect the posters, write a editions (English, French, Portugese,
number on the front of each one, and put Vesper or Closing Thought: and Spanish) under the sponsorship
them up around your meeting area. Allow It’s important for us to learn to affirm of the General Conference Committee
15-20 minutes for people to go around, one another, and it’s important to learn to on Adventist Ministry to College and
look at the posters, and try to guess which accept compliments graciously and learn to University Students (AMiCUS). For more
numbered poster belongs to each person. information send email to schulzs@
think positively about ourselves. But most
gc.adventist.org, or if you are in North
Have a prize ready for the person who important is recognizing that we are of great America call 301-680-5060/66
identifies the most posters correctly. value to God, and He affirms us every day.

PROGRAMMING
Ready-to-use-resources Who and Whose I Am, Not What I Do, Is Important by Sean Keith
Life Issue: Self-identity on a chalkboard or large sheet of paper 5. Pressures Exerted on Gentile
on the focal wall, ask youth to call out the Christians (5 min.)
Bible Texts: Daniel 6:1-23; Galaians 5:1-6; 1 behaviors or characteristics associated with Read Galatians 5:1-6 in the Bible, and
John 4:7-12 that group. prepare a short talk about the pressure being
Central Bible Truth: Because your worth placed upon Christian Gentiles to be circum-
and value is based upon the fact that God 3. The Real Test cised and Paul’s rebuttal about the value of
created and redeemed you, you can forge (5 min.) Write each of the following behav- circumcision. State that the Scriptures say in
relationships based upon “whose you are” iors on separate sheets of paper and lay Galatians 5:6, “The only thing that counts is
instead of upon the conditions of acceptance them on the floor in chronological order as faith expressing itself through love.” Point
from others. listed: ignore someone; make fun of some- out that our value as Christians is not to be
body; start an untrue rumor; tell a lie; cheat; based upon any standard or expectation
Teaching Aim: To lead youth to identify drink a beer; smoke a cigarette; experi- placed upon us by man, but is to be built
inadequate reasons for accepting themselves ment with drugs; have sexual intercourse; upon God’s creative and redemptive work
and to list ways by which they can properly steal something; beat somebody up; shoot for us.
relate to their peers. somebody.
6. Top 10 Characteristics to Look for in a
Ask: How far would you be willing to go to Friend (5 min.)
1. The Pain of Rejection
be accepted? Ask youth to identify a state- Ask: What happens if you refuse to bow
(5 min.) As youth arrive, give each person
ment and give their reasons for that. down to pressure from friends and stand
who is wearing something blue a piece of
candy and ignore anyone who is not wearing Ask: Why would someone want to up for your convictions and they reject
blue. As they are seated, greet and compli- shoot somebody in order to be ac- you? How will you feel? What will you
ment only those who are wearing blue. Ig- cepted? do? Is acceptance really that important
nore anyone who is not wearing blue. When to you? Point out that most risky behavior
it is time to start, ask youth how they felt 4. Modern-Day Examples by youth is that which is done because of a
about the greeting they received, especially (15 min.) Divide youth into teams. Instruct fear of rejection. Be aware that acceptance
those who were not wearing blue. Ask: Do each team to read Daniel 6:1-23 in their is paramount to a teenager. Ask youth to be
people at your school sometimes treat you Bibles and prepare a five-frame cartoon of careful not to do something that is against
the same way? Why do people treat others a modern-day circumstance similar to the their convictions in order to be accepted.
that way? one Daniel faced. (Possible other options:
role-play a modern-day example of Daniel’s
2. Acceptance at School dilemma; act out the Bible passage using
(5 min.) Ask youth to help you list things a narrator and characters to represent each Distribute a copy of Top 10 Characteristics to
people at their school may expect them person in the passage; prepare a newscast Look for in a Friend (handout) to each youth
to do in order to be accepted. (Possible about the events surrounding Daniel as and ask them to list the top 10 characteris-
responses: drink alcohol, have sex, experi- described in the passage.) Ask each team to tics they look for in a friend. Encourage them
ment with drugs, participate in wild parties, present their cartoon to the group. Ask: Was to share their lists with a neighbor. Call on
etc.) Call on youth to list the different types Daniel’s value placed upon whose he was or volunteers to share their top three and tell
of cliques at their schools. As you list these upon what he did? why these are so important to them.

PROGRAMMING
Ready-to-use-resources HELPING A SUICIDAL FRIEND
7. God Loves Me! Copy and have ready enough copies of this handout for everyone. It might be a good
(5 min.) On a large sheet of paper or idea to have a professional person there during this session.
poster board write: “God loves you
for who He created you to be, not for
what someone else expects you to HELPING A SUICIDAL FRIEND
be!” Write this statement on a large
sheet of paper or a chalkboard: “You What would you do if a close friend constantly threatens suicide, but made
have the awesome potential to be you promise not to tell his or her parents?
the very best that God created you
to be.” Instruct youth to repeat the
statements aloud. Then have them
say them again, replacing the word
“you” with the words “I” or “me.”
8. What Can You Do? (10 min.)

What would you do if someone you care about refused to talk seriously about
Emphasize that the best way to feelings of hopelessness that you think might lead to suicide?
gain acceptance by others is to be
yourself and be accepting of others.
Ask: What can you do to help create
an environment that is accepting of
all types of people? Ask youth to call
out responses. Record each idea and Who could you call for help when dealing with someone who might attempt
ask them to begin tonight by doing suicide?
one of the suggestions before they
leave. (If no good ideas surface,
ask them to form a circle and, be-
ginning with you, hug the person
to the right.)
Can you think of any additional Scripture that would be helpful in dealing with
9. Scripture and Prayer (5 min.)
a person’s hopelessness?
Conclude by reading aloud 1 John
4:7-12 in the Bible as a benediction
and lead into prayer.
Used with permission, The Youth

Worker’s Encyclopedia of Bible
Teaching Ideas. Copyright 1994,
Group Publishing, Inc., Box 481, Used with permission, The Youth Worker’s Encyclopedia of Bible Teaching Ideas. Copyright 1994,
Loveland, CO 80539 Group Publishing, Inc., Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539

PROGRAMMING
Ready-to-use-resources violence
handout: copy pass out to
Program Target: To help youth realize that violence is never the best your group members
answer to solving problems.
What to do: Physical Abuse
Make a videotape about 10-15 minutes long 5. Brainstorm (in small groups) possible
situations in your neighborhood or school Physical abuse includes such things as:
of several typical short scenes of TV vio- hitting, slapping, punching, shoving, kicking,
lence–war footage from the news, car chases that often lead to violence. What are some
biting, and hair-pulling. It also includes the use
and crashes from police shows and movies, better ways to handle those situations? of a weapon against a boyfriend or girlfriend.
a fight scene, and a some violent sports (e.g. 6. Name someone who have been success- Both teenage boys and teenage girls
boxing, fights in hockey games, etc). The ful in overcoming evil in non-violent ways? report being victims of physical violence in
scenes should not be graphic but should be relationships.1, 2 Typically, however, teenage
7. Why is violence considered so entertain-
vivid enough to get the viewer’s attention. boys and teenage girls use physical force for
ing in our society? Is it wrong for a Christian different reasons and with different results.
As an alternative, clip pictures and headlines
to watch violent entertainment? While both tend to report acting violently
about violence from your local newspaper
because they were angry, teenage boys are
or a national newsmagazine, and scan them
Preparation Time: much more likely to use force in order to control
into a PowerPoint presentation. their girlfriends, while girls more often act
The introductory activity can be fairly time-
violently in self-defense. 3
After viewing the scenes on video or Power- consuming as you pull together video clips
Teenage girls suffer more from relationship
Point, ask three youth to read the following or images of violence. Start well in advance,
violence, emotionally and physically.4 They are
Bible passages aloud: at least two weeks beforehand. Don’t try to much more likely than teenage boys to have
Matthew 5:9; 5:38-42; Romans 12:17-21 do it all the night before your program! serious injuries and to report being terrified.
In contrast, male victims seldom seem to fear
Lead the group in discussion around the ques- Song Service: violence by their dates or girlfriends, often
tions below. Allow at least 45 minutes for dis- “I’m in the Lord’s Army” saying that the attacks did not hurt and that
cussion, with some of that time (see question “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” they found the violence amusing.5
5) being spent brainstorming in small groups,
Vesper/Closing Thought: References:
and then reporting back to the whole group. 1. O’Keefe M. & Treister, L. (1998). Victims of dating
For the first 300 years after the time of Je- violence among high school students. Violence
Discussion Questions: sus, Christians were told by their leaders not Against Women, 4, 193-228.
2. Molidor C. & Tolman, R.M. (1998). Gender and
1. Do the Bible texts we read mean that to serve in the army. Seventh-day Adven- contextual factors in adolescent dating violence.
God is always opposed to us using violence? tists have historically taken a position against Violence Against Women, 4, 180-194.
3. O’Keefe, M. (1997). Predictors of dating
Is violence ever an acceptable choice for a serving in combat roles. But there’s much violence among high school students. Journal of
Christian? more to non-violence than not fighting in Interpersonal Violence, 12(4), 546-569.
a war. Every day we have the opportunity 4. Foshee, V.A. (1998). Gender differences in
2. How can we apply Jesus’ advice in these adolescent dating abuse prevalence, types and
passages in practical ways? to choose violent or peaceful solutions, to injuries. Health Education Research, 11, 275-286.
support violent entertainment or boycott it. 5. Molidor C. & Tolman, R.M. (1998). Gender and
3. Did Jesus ever use violence as a solution? contextual factors in adolescent dating violence.
Let’s vow to fight only in God’s army, using Violence Against Women, 4, 180-194.
4. Do the stories of God sending the Israel- His weapons. Finish by reading Ephesians
ites into battle in the Old Testament mean 6:10-17. source: http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/dating.asp
that it’s OK for Christians to fight?

PROGRAMMING
Ready-to-use-resources youth and ethics
Program Target: To help youth learn to make ethical decisions.
What to do: Vesper or Closing Thought:

Obtain and show a portion of the video Making Ethical Decisions, Sometimes we don’t stop to realize how many decisions we actually
from the Josephson Institute of Ethics (see “Resources,” below). make in the run of an average day—when to speak up, when to be
Challenge your young people to think about how these principles can silent, when to agree, when to disagree—and how many of those
apply to the decisions they make every day. After viewing a video choices have an ethical component. Challenge the youth to think
segment of about 45 minutes, divide your youth into small groups about the ethical implications of all their choices, and ask God for
and give them each one of the “Tough Situations” below. Have help in applying the principles of ethical decision making.
them discuss how the principles of ethical decision making they have
just seen could apply to that situation. Resources:
You can order Making Ethical Decisions, and other materials from the
Preparation Time: Josephson Institute of Ethics, at www.charactercounts.org. Making
You will need to order and obtain a copy of the “Making Ethical Ethical Decisions is a general overview of the ethical decision-making
Decisions” video in advance. Also, take time to cut-out and copy as process for adult viewers, and costs US$29.95. It’s a 90-minute video,
many of the “Tough Situations” handout to share with your group. so you may want to do this activity over two meetings. The Web site
also has materials specifically aimed at teaching teens about ethical
Bible Text: Psalm 119:1, 2 decision making, though the videos for teens are more expensive. If
teaching your group about ethics is a priority for you, you may want
Song Service: “Living for Jesus” (SDA Hymnal) to explore the resources and ideas on this Web site.
Tough Situations (Copy and cut out as many copies as you need)
1. You and your best friend have a summer job together. You become aware that your best friend is stealing small amounts
of money from your employer. What do you do?
2. The college athletics scholarship you’re counting on may very well hang on the outcome of your next competition.
A friend tells you about a new performance-enhancing drug guaranteed to improve your results—and it can’t yet be
detected by the most drug tests. Do you use it?
3. You really want to be accepted by a particular group of friends at school—especially because the person you’d like to
date is a key member of that group. One day you go out with several of them, including the person you’d like to date,
and you hear them spreading malicious and untrue stories about another close friend of yours. What do you say?

PROGRAMMING
Ready-to-use-resources
Theme: Temptation Theme: Rescued from sin

Biblxt: Matthew 4:1-11 Bible Text: Romans 3:23-24; 6:23
Summary: Use this LEARNING GAME to explore Summary: In this DEVOTION, teenagers explore what it means to be
feelings of temptation. rescued from the penalty of sin.
Preparation:: You’ll need Bibles.

Preparation: Gather straws, a paper cup, and a
pitcher of water. You’ll also need Bibles. What to do: Form groups of no more than three.
Say: In your trios, describe a time that you were rescued from something.
What to do: Form groups of four to six with one For example, maybe you were saved from drowning, or maybe your parents’
adult leader in each group. Give groups each an animal advice saved you from making a bad mistake. Have the oldest person in your
name –wolves, dogs, bears, lambs, or birds. Read aloud group go first, then the second oldest, and so on. You have one minute to
Matthew 4:1-11. Then have everyone form a large circle think about what you’ll say, then each trio member will have one minute to
and stand next to people from different groups. Next share a “rescue experience.”
give each person a straw. Place a small paper cup of Give kids a minute of “think time”, then have group members begin telling
water in the center of the circle. Tell the group to circle about their experiences. After four minutes, have kids pick one rescue story
clockwise. to share with the entire group.
Say: When I call out an animal name, everyone in
that group must run to the center of the circle, sip from Discuss: When each of the selected rescue stories has been told, say:
the cup with their straws and squirt the water at each The Bible teaches that all Christians have been rescued by Jesus. Let’s
other. Everyone must stay in the youth room. Remember read about that now. Have the youngest person in each trio read Romans
to be careful not to slip on the wet floor. 3:23-24, and the oldest person read Romans 6:23. Ask trios:
Begin calling out the names. Increase the pace • How is the way Jesus rescues us from sin like or unlike the way you
gradually. Call two or three animal names at a time. were rescued in your stories?
Sooner or later, someone will use the cup instead of the • Why do you think Romans 3:23 can say that everyone has sinned?
straw to get others really wet. When this happens, sim- • How does it make you feel to read in Romans 6:23 that the penalty for
ply say not to do that again. Refill the cup from a pitcher sin is death? Explain.
of water. When the cup of water has been thrown a few • How can Jesus rescue us from penalty of sin?
times, stop the game. Wrap up the experience by ask-
ing kids to discuss these questions: Debriefing: After discussion, have trio members share with the class
any insights they gained.
• Where you tempted to throw the cup? Why or why not?
• How did it feel to be tempted? Closing: To close, sing a worship chorus or hymn about how Jesus
• How is that feeling like the way Jesus might have felt saves us from the penalty of sin. For example, you might sing “Jesus Is a
Wonderful Savior” or “Amazing Grace” (both of these songs are found in
when He was tempted?
Advent Youth Sing, hymns 104 and 4).
• How did Jesus deal with his temptation? After the meeting, you might also offer to talk to anyone who wants to know
• How can you deal with temptation in your own life? more about how to accept Jesus’ payment for sin.

PROGRAMMING
Ready-to-use-resources abuse handout: copy pass out to your group members
What You Can Do

Know the early warning signs that you’re in a
Program Target: To raise awareness about abuse in all its forms. dating situation or relationship that could have
the potential to become violent.
• Your boyfriend or girlfriend pressures you, soon
What to do: take questions from those turned after you begin dating, to make the relationship very
Invite a guest speaker who is knowl- in ahead of time. serious, or presses you to have sex.
edgeable about abuse. Ideally, a • Your boyfriend or girlfriend becomes extremely jealous
Christian family counsellor who works Preparation Time: and possessive, and thinks these destructive displays
with abuse victims and survivors would Make sure your guest has been in- of emotion are signs of love.
be an excellent choice, if you have such vited at least a month in advance, • Your boyfriend or girlfriend tries to control you and
a resource person in your community and begin immediately promoting to forcefully make all decisions where the two of you
to visit your group and give a presenta- the meeting in your church and are concerned, refusing to take your views or desires
tion of about 30 minutes, which should community. seriously. He/she may also try to keep you from
cover: spending time with close friends or family.

Bible Text: Psalm 27:10 • Your boyfriend or girlfriend verbally and emotionally
• different types of abuse: physical, abuses you by doing such things as yelling at you,
swearing at you, manipulating you, spreading false
sexual, emotional, etc
Song Service: and degrading rumors about you, and trying to make
• effects of abuse on children and
youth “I Cast All My Care Upon You” you feel guilty.
• how to get help if you’re being “He Will Carry You” • Your boyfriend or girlfriend drinks too much or uses
abused drugs and then later blames the alcohol and drugs for
Closing Thought: his/her behavior.
• how to help a friend who is a
As you present this meeting, you • Your boyfriend or girlfriend threatens physical
victim of abuse
violence.
• domestic violence/partner abuse won’t know the secrets some
• Your boyfriend or girlfriend has abused a previous
(with a view to helping youth, group members may be hiding,
boyfriend or girlfriend or accepts and defends the use
especially teen girls, make wise which may include abuse within of violence by others.
choices in relationships to help the family. Others may finally see If you're in a dating relationship that in any way feels
them avoid being trapped in a an opportunity to help a friend awkward, uncomfortable, tense or even frightening, trust
relationship with an abuser) who they know is caught in an your feelings and get out of it. It could become, or may
• other topics as the presenter abusive situation. Knowing that already be, abusive.
deems appropriate these thoughts may be running you can educate other teens about dating violence.
through the minds of some of Counsel peers, staff a hotline, or speak to classes about
A few weeks before this meeting, an- your audience, close the meet- the signs of an abusive relationship and where to find help.
nounce that it will be taking place and ing by sharing the message that Encourage your church or school to develop programs to
provide an opportunity for youth to con- God loves and cares for each of educate teens about dating violence, and work to ensure
fidentially write and submit anonymous His children and it is not His will that there are resources for teens that are being abused in
questions they may wish to have the your community.
that they suffer at the hands of
presenter discuss. After the presenta- an abuser. Help is available and always remember you have every right to
tion, open the floor for a question-and- God will give them courage and say no. No boyfriend or girlfriend has the right to tell you
what you can or should do, what you can or should wear,
answer time. The presenter can also strength as they find it.
or what kind of friends you should have.

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 25
PROGRAMMING
Ready-to-use-resources belonging
Program Target: This program will encourage youth to think about what it
Another Good Idea
means to “belong” and how the church family can be a place for them to belong.
What to do:
Helping Hurting Youth is the focus
4. Can you belong to Jesus but not to this quarter, so here’s a great idea to
From the list below, choose five people the church? get a peek into what’s going on with
represented in your church or commu-
nity. Invite each one to be part of a panel
the youth.
Preparation Time:
•
discussion in which each will share for a To prepare for this program you will need to
few minutes about the organization he/she Have all the members of your youth
set aside about an hour, two weeks before
belongs to and how it gives them a sense of the program date, to call your panelists and group write all the things that bothers
“belonging.” After each person has shared explain what is required of them. Call again them the most. Give them 5-7 minutes
their experience, use the discussion ques- briefly a day or two before to remind them to do this.
tions to get panel members and audience of the date. If they are prepared, you should
talking about the concept of belonging.
a. member of the Armed Forces

require little or no preparation time on the
day of the program itself. •After they are finished writing discuss
the problems briefly for no more than
15 minutes.
b. police officer Bible Text:
c. Pathfinder or a member of Scouts or
Guides
“Only those people who are led by God’s
Spirit are his children. God’s Spirit doesn’t
make us slaves who are afraid of him.
• After the meeting group all the ques-
tions into categories and then discuss
d. person who plays on a sports team them together (at another meeting).
Instead, we become his children and call him
e. member of a small-group Bible study
•
our Father. God’s Spirit makes us sure that
or prayer group If you have a lot of questions you may
we are his children.” (Romans 8:14-16, CEV).
f. member of a service club such as want to consider adding a special dis-
Kiwanis, Shriners, etc. Song Service: cussion time to your schedule, at least
g. member of a singing group or band “I’m So Glad I’m a Part of the Family of God” once a quarter.
h. an adult or older teen who was
adopted into a family
Discussion Questions:
Vesper or Closing Thought:
As you close this program, remind the
youth that although we all feel lonely, left
•At this “discussion” meeting, ask
for volunteers to share how they got
1. What kinds of things do different
through some of their problems. This is
out and isolated at times, we are part of a
groups and organizations do to make great family. God is our Father, Jesus our a good time for them to share and help
people feel that they belong? older Brother, and all other Christians are each other get through problems.
2. What things do we do in the church our brothers and sisters. Invite the youth to
to make people feel they belong?
3. How could the church do better at
pledge that they will do all they can to make
each other, and others, feel welcome in •Pray together in pairs or small groups
for each other.
giving people a sense of belonging? God’s family.
26 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth
youth ministry
ministry accent
accent
devotional
Before I Start to Help the Hurting By A. Allan Martin, PhD
Today, let my ministry for God begin with an offering. The apostle
Paul suggests, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you:
Take your everyday ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-
work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.
Embracing what God does for you match early in the first round. I need to humble authenticity coupled with my
is the best thing you can do for him” take time to carefully approach ministry connection to Jesus is far more effective
(Romans 12:1, Message). crises with solid foundational footwork, than ministry recipes.
So before I go out to save the world, trained counter punches—or I’ll end up 4. Maintain personal boundaries and
before I touch hurting lives, rescue sinners, knocked out by the devil before the bell. ethical conduct (Romans 12:10-13). It’s
offer healing to youth and young adults for So let me focus on some training tips in never helpful for ministry leaders to put
order to be prepared to help hurting teens themselves in ethical, moral, or emotional
the Kingdom—let me start with an offering, a
or respond to a young adult crisis: jeopardy in order to rescue a hurting teen
personal, ordinary offering. With God’s help,
or young adult. Stay clear of the devil’s
let me turn my eyes away from the marvels 1. Give up my life as an offering to
traps to compromise my integrity.
of ministry and any compulsion to “do.” God (Romans 12:1-3). Start by making
Let me start with me, turning my attention Jesus the source of my energy and power for 5. Let love be the paradoxical
to God, so that I can “be changed from the even the non-glamorous facets of my life. antidote for hatred (Romans 12:14-21).
Empathizing with the hurting can tempt me
inside out” (Romans 12:2, Message). 2. Rely on a community of believers to see revenge, even passive-aggressive
Rushing to action will result in me to mold me and my ministry (Romans retaliation as useful, but these are poor
reeling. Especially with all the hurt that 12:4-8). Whatever I do especially in tools to bring healing. Be wise and use
I see in the lives of our youth and young ministry, do it in the context of support and Jesus’ seemingly confounding methods of
adults, the tendency of valiant ministry networking with parents, family, church, strong love to overcome hurt, crisis, and
leaders is to go into the fight against and community, letting each play its evil.
crisis/hurt/pain leading with one’s chin. important role. Today, I offer my life, my ministry to
This strategy makes it so easy for the devil 3. Let honest, Christ-centered You. Fight the good fight through me. Let
to simply do a two-punch combo and lay compassion be the primary motivator me be a Your source of healing to hurting
me out on the mat, knocked out of the for my ministry (Romans 12:9-10). My teens and young adults. a
Recommended Resources
Larson, S. (1999). At risk: Bringing hope to hurting teenagers. Loveland, CO: Group.
Penner, M. (2005). Help! My kids are hurting: A survival guide to working with students in pain. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Van Pelt, R., & Hancock, J. (2005). The youth worker’s guide to helping teenagers in crisis. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

feature story
incarnation Changed
from a city gang to the
Jesus Christ gang
by Carlos Acosta
ministry
A deacon from my church, the Central Spanish Church, in Los Angeles, California, came and tapped
me on my shoulder as I was getting ready to listen to that Sabbath morning sermon. “Excuse me,
someone is looking for you outside” he said. Who could it be? I asked myself. If someone is looking
for me, how come they just don’t come inside? As I walked passed 1,500 church members, I walked
out one of the three doors of the main entrance. Wondering who it was, I looked to my right, and saw
no one. Then I looked to my left, and there was someone that I did not expect to see that day. As I
got closer, that individual became more familiar to me, but I was still in doubt. I approached slowly
with apprehension, and yes, it was him, a very familiar face I had seen before.
A mean face started to focus on me now. It looked like he could not recognize me. For a moment
I hoped he wouldn’t. But he did. Standing before me was a young man wearing size 40 black baggy
pants, extra large shirt, baldhead, arms full of tattoos and sporting a dark sunglasses. His nickname
was “Diablo.” Diablo and I had met many times before. I was afraid this would be the last one, at
least for me.
“Is that you?” he said standing inches away from my face. “You became a church boy?” he
continued. “You are not fooling anyone by hiding behind that shirt and tie. I’m here to kill you, and
you know why” he concluded.
The first time I met Diablo was when he drove by the park where I used to hang out and did a
drive by shooting trying to kill me. Another time we met in juvenile hall where we had a jail fight.
The last time I met him in his home where we hurt him and his family one Friday night. Now, he was
seeking revenge and he had all the right reasons to do it.
As I stood there listening to him, joining the Seventh-day Adventist Church three months before,
I was faced with a crisis. My past had come back to haunt me. How did I get myself in all this
trouble I asked myself. As I stood there a movie of all my memories began to play in my mind and I
remembered of how it all began.
My life before I met Jesus

Growing as an Adventist teen in Los Angeles, California, I faced the challenges that many teens
face today. Physical changes, psychological changes, social changes, spiritual life changes, peer

pressure, coping with emotions, seeking began by changing my image. I began to pain they showed me the building that was
independence, decision making, the search wear size 40 pants. I shaved my head and next to the juvenile hall. It was the hospital
for an identity, creating new friends, falling decided to get tattoos on the back and front where I was born. My parents showed me
in love, etc. As any other teen today I had of my arms. I now had a mission, to defend the floor I was born 17 years before. And
needs—normal needs that needed to be met. my barrio, even to the point of death. Since I now, here I was in a juvenile hall waiting for
“I’m no longer a child,” I began to tell was just starting, I had to prove to the others a trial with two broken-hearted parents. My
my parents. In other words, “I want to be that I was worthy of being part of this gang. parents took me by my hands and, kneeling,
responsible for all the changes happening Robbing and going after the enemies of the they prayed. They prayed to God, asking Him
in my life.” As a teen that is where I was, gang became my way of gaining respect. not to abandon me and to fulfill the prayer
wanting to flex that muscle of independence. Soon I found myself in the highest ranks of that they had both lifted 17 years before. The
The biggest need I had as a teen was the gang. I was part of something, I thought, Lord heard my parents prayers that day.
wanting to belong. I had a desperate urge that finally met my needs. I thought I found But as soon as I got out of jail I went back
to be part of something that would give happiness and security. I had not. Times only to my old ways. I made things worse for
me a sense of accomplishment. I wanted to got harder. me and my family. I witnessed the deaths
be part of something that would recognize In the tenth grade I dropped out of high of many of my friends who were killed
me as a person. I wanted to be part of school. I began using drugs like marijuana for the streets that were not ours. Silent,
something that would value my thoughts, and cocaine. I also went to jail. My first Spooky, Ghost, Smiley, and many more
my efforts. I wanted to be part of something arrest came as a result of committing a gang members were killed in the name of
where I would be appreciated and loved. robbery with a deadly weapon. When being the barrio. The funerals were a constant
Church was part of my teenage years. processed at the police station, we were all reminder that death was knocking at our
Unfortunately, I forged stronger ties with a asked by the detectives what religion we door. After the killing of one of our friends
youth gang in Los Angeles. identified ourselves with. While all my friends revenge was always the answer. It was
“If you want to be part of this gang” I said Catholic, I said “Seventh-day Adventist.” a vicious cycle. Sadness and death were
was told, “you have to be part of it forever.” As soon as I said that the detectives always the end result.
You will have to live by its code, you will looked at me with amazement and asked
have to dress to identify yourself with it, and “What are you doing here? We know many my life when I met Jesus
you will also defend it anywhere you go.” I SDA and they sure don’t come to jail very It was very dramatic. On a Friday night,
decided to join. But, in order to do that I had much.” I was discovered. I felt so ashamed another gang member nicknamed “Joker”
to fight two gang members for 13 seconds. of putting my religion down like that. and I were in charge of taking care of the
I did. Those 13 seconds went by so slowly. We were taken to Eastlake Juvenile Hall barrio. I would stand at the beginning of
By the end of those 13 seconds I was hurt. I in East Los Angeles. I spent my first night in the street with my friend in the middle of
was bleeding from my lips, my left eye was a dark cell. There, making sure that no one it. My job was to spot any suspicious cars or
bruised. That was my baptism. listened, I began to cry. I began to remember individuals who were our enemies. Standing
I got my nickname and all the gang members God. I asked myself What happened with all on a corner late that Friday night a car
came and hugged me. They said “You are part the happiness I had found in the gang? What approached and asked me if I sold drugs;
of this family now. You will be part of this have I done with my life? I sent him to my friend who was a seller.
gang forever. You cannot get out unless it is The next day my parents came to visit When my friend handed him the drugs, this
by death.” And that was the beginning of a me in jail. It was very hard for my parents, other young man tried to steal them. My
journey that brought me sadness and lots of especially my mother, to see me in a prison friend reacted quickly and began to hit him
pain for myself and my family. suit. With tears in her eyes she reminded me inside the car with a baseball bat. He drove
Now, as a gang member, I had to walk, of how she and dad had dedicated me, the off and crashed a block away. We thought he
talk, dress, and live like one. The first change first born, to the service of the Lord. With had died. continue on p. 31

gang facts Myth: Gang killings in Los Angeles Fact: Youth join gangs for many from January to August 2002. This is a
County are the result of drug reasons. However, while gang members 22% increase from the same time period
wars. commit more types of crime (and more in 2001, and a 47% increase from the
Fact: Most gang homicides are not often) than non-gang youth, many gang 5-year average for those months. LAPD,
random, nor are they only disputes over members are not heavily involved in Citywide Gang Crime Summary, 2002
drugs or some other crime. The vast crime. Most gang members are not drug
Myth: Gang violence is purely a
majority of violent incidents involving dealers and most Los Angeles gangs
law enforcement problem.
gang members continue to result from are not organized drug distribution rings.
Fact: Most law enforcement officials
fights over turf, status, and revenge. agree that gangs are a community prob-
Myth: Gangs are tightly orga-
nized, cohesive units with stable lem that must be dealt with in a variety
Myth: Gangs are only an inner
powerful leadership. of approaches implemented by police,
city problem.
This fact sheet may be reproduced and distributed without permission provided the
Updated: 9/2002
Fact: Most gangs are loosely knit, with schools, community-based organiza-
Fact: Different types of cities (urban,
several members who fill leadership tions, public health professionals and
suburban, etc) in Los Angeles County
roles, depending on age and situation. others in an interactive and coopera-
have local street gangs. While a majority
Membership fluctuates and gang mem- tive approach to gang prevention and
of the gang related slayings were in the
bers have varying degrees of commit- intervention.
urban core, in the San Fernando Valley,
the murder rate spiked 60% in 2001 ment to the gang. Gang cohesiveness is
because of gang related killings. highest when the gang is challenged by Other Facts:
Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles is cited.
Streetgangs.com, 2002 other groups or by outsiders.

In Los Angeles County, law enforce-
Myth: Los Angeles is the gang Myth: Ever since there have ment officials are aware of more than
capital of the world and will been street gangs there have 1300 street gangs with over 150,000
never again be a place to raise been drive by shootings. Guns members. In the City of Los Angeles
children and live a civilized life. don’t kill people; people kill people. alone, there are approximately 407
Fact: Over the last several hundred Fact: Shootings by gang members gangs and over 56,000 members.
years, a number of cities in the world have increased as guns on the streets Los Angeles Almanac, 2002
have been proclaimed the “gang capi- have proliferated. Drive-by killings Gangs account for approximately
tal”. London, England, was first given are a direct result of the availability of 51% of all homicides in Los Angeles
this title. Just before our civil war, New firearms. People injure people; guns kill County. Of the 1156 homicides in
York was reported to have approxi- people. 2001, 587 were gang-related. The
mately 30,000 street gang members. At majority of all gang homicides are
other times, Philadelphia and Chicago Myth: Gang violence has in- committed with handguns.
were proclaimed gang capitals. All of creased consistently for the last Los Angeles County Safe Streets
these cities, with degrees of success, 15 years. Bureau, 2002
have dealt with the problem and passed Fact: This myth is incomplete. Gang Sources: “Report on the State of Los
the title on to other cities. violence started to decrease 15 years Angeles Street Gangs”, Los Angeles
ago, but in the last seven years, began County Interagency Gang Task Force,
Myth: Youth join gangs to sell drugs, to increase again in Los Angeles. There 1999-2000. Los Angeles Almanac,
commit crime, and make money. were 256 gang homicides in LA City Gang Populations, 2001

continued from p. 29 lonely. I began to evaluate my life so far. Jesus even more after realizing that He had
At 3 a.m. we decided it was time to go I was 19 years old and what had become beaten death forever. I was very impressed.
home. As I approached home I remembered of my life? I had dropped out of school, When the preacher made a special call to
that it was Sabbath, and soon my parents and in and out of jail, I was addicted to drugs, accept Jesus, I stood up and walked past
my brothers were going to go to church. I someone had been always trying to kill 1,500 church members. There I was like the
remembered that earlier that night my family me, and I couldn’t keep a job. I began to prodigal son, walking towards the altar with
had “received” the Sabbath. My mother had feel even more depressed to the point size 40 pants, addicted to drugs, bald headed,
invited me to sing and to pray with them that I decided to take my own life and end arms full of tattoos. I fell on my knees and
but I rejected her invitation. I knew they had my pain and misery. But as I was getting asked God to forgive me while at the same
prayed for me, I knew they were always ready to end my life I remembered my time accepting the gift of Jesus Christ.
praying for me. How? Bullets that were parents. I remembered all their prayers and
intended for me always missed, when death I remembered how many times they had Life after meeting Jesus
was almost certain a special protection was shared with me that God had a special plan I was baptized in October 1994. This
always on me. I am sure it was the result of for my life. I grabbed a Bible and began to time the baptism was different. No one
my parents prayers. God was after me. But I pray out loud “God, please, please help me. was going to hit me for 13 seconds. This
always hardened my heart. I give up Lord. I want to stop running from time I was going to make a new pact, a
At 7 a.m. a gang member came and you. I have lost my way in this life. I made pact with God. I was deciding to live a
knocked on my window. “Come over man, the wrong decisions, Lord. I’m so lonely, so life in Jesus Christ. I was going to be part
the enemies have just killed four of us.” I afraid, so sad with my life. Here I am, Lord. of a new barrio. His church. That Sabbath
got up and saw what had happened. That Forgive me. Please accept me as I am.” I morning my parents were there and were
same young man who tried to steal the fell asleep. I slept so much that my parents crying once again. But this time their tears
drugs came back and took revenge. He came back late that Sabbath afternoon and were of joy and happiness. My mother was
killed four of my friends that morning. As woke me up. I was so happy to see them. screaming so loud “This is my son, God has
I stood there I thought how their mothers The next day my parents invited me to returned him to us, and He has answered
would hug their lifeless bodies crying to an evangelistic crusade. For the first time our prayers.” My parents and I hugged for
God to bring them back to life. The image in almost 10 years I finally accepted an a long time. “Welcome home son,” my
of a mother being stained by the blood invitation to go to church. As I sat there I parents said. “Welcome home Son,” I also
of her child and crying uncontrollable was listened to the preacher talk about Jesus heard the Lord say.
too much for me. It was at this moment I Christ. As a gang member Jesus became Life was different now. My thoughts
heard the voice of God telling me, “Carlos, very attractive to me. I heard how He came were different. My desires were different. I
its time. Stop running from me. This is the to die for all the sinners of this world. How did not need drugs or to hurt others to feel
way you will end up also. Come back to He left his barrio (heaven) to come to our appreciated or significant. Now, all I needed
me Carlos.” He had not given up on me all barrio (the earth) and how He also formed a was Jesus who gave me and continues to
these years. My life was about to take a gang of 12 disciples who He trained to talk give me happiness. A new person was born
turn, a 180 degree turn for the best. and live for the mission of this gang. There that day. New clothes, new thoughts, new
I went home that Sabbath morning and were a lot of similarities with my gang. The desires. This did not mean I did not have
found that my parents had gone to church. thing that mostly impacted me was when any challenges. Yes, I did!
In my sadness I started to use crystal Jesus, the leader of this gang, died on that
meth. I found myself overdosing. My heart cross. I understood that by His death I was
was palpitating, my vision was blurry, I being freed of the power of the devil. That CHALLENGES
began to shake. I kept taking more and by His death I could receive a new life free One of my first challenges was dealing
more but it was useless. I began to feel of drugs, misery and pain. I was attracted to with my enemies. One day I found myself

approached by my enemies. “How am I with Jesus. One year after my baptism in parties. It means to go with them to the
supposed to react?” I asked myself. Before 1994, I was sent the to seminary to study courts, to their probation officers, to their
I met Jesus I would fight back, but now? theology in our University, Montemorelos drug addiction treatments. It means to live a
One day a gun was pointed at me by them. in Mexico. I graduated from the seminary practical theology, not just words that don’t
I decided to share with them: “Listen, I now in 2000. That same year I was assigned my have actions behind them. Above all it
belong to a new gang, the Jesus Christ gang, first pastoral duty as a chaplain in South means to fight the enemy of their souls on
that is who I am now.” They laughed at me Mexico. Also, that very same year the Lord their behalf. There are thousands of young
and let me go. blessed me with a wonderful wife, Alma. people in the inner cities who are slaves to
The other challenge I faced was how to In 2001 I was given a scholarship to drugs, sex, money, gangs, etc., who need
tell my gang that I no longer wanted to pursue a master’s degree program in family this type of ministry. I’m glad my family
be part of it. I remembered the oath I took relations. I graduated in 2003, and from did this type of incarnation ministry as well
when I joined—that I would never get out 2003–2005, God gave me the opportunity as the two youth pastors who were willing
of it, only by death. Still, I decided to face to work as a marriage/family and drug to risk it all for me.
them. When I arrived at the park where my addiction counselor in Colorado. Two years Also, if you are a young person reading
gang used to hang out I told them how I had ago, in June 2005, the Lord added another this, and you are still in gangs, drugs, etc.,
become a Christian and that I no longer was blessing to my life by allowing me to I want to let you know that Jesus is there
going to be part of the gang. Many laughed work as an intern for the North American by your side. He has not given up on you.
at me, others were angry; one of them Division’s Youth Ministries Department as Stop running from Him and turn to Jesus.
hit me in my face. They said, “Come back an assistant to the Youth Director, Elder Like you, I was seeking happiness in places
tomorrow, maybe you will make up your James Black Sr. Finally, about a year ago the that only brought pain and sadness. Let Him
mind.” I left that day crying and sad. But I Lord blessed my wife and I with a beautiful fill that emptiness with peace, let Him take
had made a promise to God. I had promised daughter, Karla-Michelle. God has been your broken dreams and make your life a
Him that I would share Jesus with my gang wonderful to me. dream come true.
and my enemies. I went back to my gang As I close my testimony I give praise to
and preached to them. Many listened to me the Lord Almighty. If anyone is to receive
praise, it is Him. I also want to appeal to all ANOTHER MIRACLE
and they decided to take an action. They
the youth leaders out there. Please practice Now, back to that young man I began
said that I could not get out of the gang
an “incarnation youth ministry,” which my testimony with, the one that wanted to
but instead they would be willing for me to
means to leave the pulpits behind and kill me; he and I are friends today. That day
help them find a better way. They made me
begin to preach in the middle of the prisons, when I thought he was going to kill me,
agree to keep visiting them and their families
ghettoes, and barrios. Leave the comforts God helped me to speak to his heart and his
especially whenever they had difficult times.
of the church office and begin to search for anger turned into sadness as he also found
Today, I still continue to visit and write to
the sheep where they are lost. That is what out that his life was empty and meaningless
them in prison. I have shared with them the
Jesus did. without Christ. His family was also Adventist
love of Christ. Many have become Christians
Incarnation youth ministry means to step and he decided that it was time to live a new
behind the prison walls, and sadly, many
outside your comfort zones. It means to get life; he and I still keep in close contact. Life is
others have been killed.
your hands dirty by cleaning up the wounds so amazing if we only live it with Jesus. a
the street causes on these young people.
MY JOURNEY WITH JESUS It means to go to the dark corners where
It’s now been 12 years since my they are and not just wait for them to come Carlos Acosta is a youth pastor and the
encounter with Jesus. In these 12 years I to your church where you are. It means to youth director for the Hispanic region of the
have been living on a wonderful journey pick them up and carry them after their wild Southern California Conference

dAy.
f to
u t h o sues
e yo Al is s
e t h
s o ci i on
g
rA And que s t
A r
At b t y le i on
h e s s s
n s t s lif i c su ts
o
sti resse ites, d emen
u e
h e q Add e bs g el
A t t book ice, w Avin Ay. o r g.
u i de ide Ad v l i fes t od urce. .org/
e w g
r gu ries, o re c o py t so t i st
e n
e s h n ork e sto Any m your .Adve Adven
r w if .
A f outh eAl l And m rder www th.gc
y hr o cA: /you
i t r i
w A me ttp:/
o rth . A. h
n en
s i d JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 33
out
youth ministry accent
viewpoint
Obesity and Youth Ministry

by Robert Holbrook
A few years ago one of my sons the trip with a body weight of around of what I found on the Internet for the
(Hans—age 24 at the time) who is just 220. At the start he wondered if he good ol’ USA.
under 6 feet tall and weighed in at a would even survive the first few days. I have not seen direct statistics for
modest 135 pounds tackled hiking the Every night he thought he was going Seventh-day Adventist’s, I only can go by
Appalachian Trail—all 2,200 miles of it to die. By the end of the trip, EZE had what I am experiencing and when I see
in one summer—actually six months to dropped his body weight to 145 pounds a large number or even a majority at a
the day. After the accomplishment he and his pack weight as well. And he’s gathering of people that are definitely
proudly sewed his 2000–miler patch grateful for what the trail did to his not “just a little chubby.” I’ve begun to
onto his pack. body, as well as being full of stories to worry and wonder.
Everyone who hikes the “AT” takes on tell. Why do I tell this? It seems to have
first: We are leaders and mentors
a handle (nickname) or is given one. His little to do with the title of this article.
of our youth. What is our message?
was “H Monster.” He planned carefully, Well…notice what I said happened “Practice what I preach not what I
packed his gear carefully, charted his during the first few days of H Monster’s do?” “God can help you with your
course carefully, and set up food drops trip—he nearly destroyed himself. Yet problem but He can’t help me with
along the way carefully. We became he had the good fortune of being able mine?” A doctor did tell me that there
“trail angels” for the six months, visiting to remove his 75 pounds each night are extremely rare cases of obesity
him and whomever was hiking with him and at will during the day—and reduce that are out of our control, cause by
at any given point every two weeks. His it to a manageable weight as the trip malfunctioning thyroid glands etc. but
backpack, with state-of-the-art gear and progressed. You can do that quite easily the emphasis was on the extremely rare.
backpacker knowledge weighed in at 75 with backpacks! But not so with excess
Second: We are mostly vegetarians
pounds. In the first 10 days of hiking he body weight.
(or even vegans); everyone knows
demolished a pair of boots and nearly As I travel to Pathfinder staff training Seventh-day Adventist’s live longer
blew out his knees, but he gritted his weekends, camporees, and other because of it. All our officially sponsored
teeth and hung in there. By the end Seventh-day Adventist youth-related meals are vegetarian, for good health
of the trip, he had gained 10 pounds of events, I am seeing as I have never seen reasons…as we wheeze and huff while
body weight and discarded 37 pounds before serious overweight issues among tackling a short flight of stairs or can’t
from his pack. He has several hours’ kids and staff alike. Huge “backpacks” make it to a seminar “because it’s too
worth of stories to tell if you want to being hauled around day and night. It far down the hall.” The truth is that
take the time to get enthralled by them. disturbed me so much that I knew I no matter the diet, “calories in, weight
One of his trail friends, “EZE,” age 18 needed to do some investigating. In the on”—unless we can get calories back
with a similar weighing backpack, began box on the next page is a small sampling out. When exercise calories burned

exceeds calories taken in, then we loose
weight no matter the diet. overweight and obesity
third: A major component of our Since the mid-seventies, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased
youth curriculum focuses on health—no sharply for both adults and children. Data from two NHANES surveys show that among
alcohol, tobacco, drugs, caffeine; and many adults aged 20–74 years the prevalence of obesity increased from 15.0% (in the
would include meat as well. Lots of fresh 1976–1980 survey) to 32.9% (in the 2003–2004 survey).
air, exercise, fruits and veggies, etc. We The two surveys also show increases in overweight among children and teens.
have the Silver Award and Gold Award for For children aged 2–5 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.0% to
13.9%; for those aged 6–11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5% to 18.8%; and for
senior youth; we have a health and fitness
those aged 12–19 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 17.4%.
component for each of the six Pathfinder
These increasing rates raise concern because of their implications for Americans’
classes; we have a Physical Fitness and a
health. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health
Nutrition Honor. (Yes, I see them on our conditions, including the following:
sashes once in a while.) • Hypertension
Yet, we are strapping on 75 pound • Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
backpacks under our clothes (some packs • Type 2 diabetes
are more like 120-150 pounds or more!), • Coronary heart disease
locking them on 24/7 and trying to be role • Stroke
models for our youth. Mentors we are called. • Gallbladder disease
Is not our set of beliefs supposed to make a • Osteoarthritis
difference in our life and lifestyle? • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
Please understand, I am not advocating that
every overweight person working with youth Although one of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to reduce the
prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%, current data indicate that the
drop out—quite the opposite. Youth gain much
situation is worsening rather than improving. This site (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/
by understanding our struggle and actually dnpa/obesity/) provides a variety of information designed to help people understand
being a part of it—encouraging each other is this serious health issue and the efforts being made to address it.
a big welder of lives. When a young person
source: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/
can be a part of one’s good times and one’s
struggles, they will also learn and avoid the
pitfalls we took. In the end, leader and follower
grows and gains strength from adversity. helpful websites
Like EZE and H Monster, we can reduce the • Smallstep for Kids (http://www.smallstep.gov/kids/flash/index.html)
pack’s weight, we can finish the course, and A child-focused site offering nutritional advice, games and activity suggestions
we can proudly wear the “2000–miler patch.” for children and parents as part of the obesity prevention campaign. The com-
Or might we be like that man in the song puter-animated character Shrek encourages kids to go out an play.
Peter, Paul and Mary used to sing? “He Had a • Achieving a Balance: Reaching and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Long Chain On” and when the host who had (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition)
kindly offered him a meal then offered to cut Whether you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to
off the chain, the man’s response was “I’d understand the connection between the energy your body takes in (through
guess we had just let it be.” Sad song, sad the foods you eat and the beverages you drink) and the energy your body
scene, sad ending. Remember, the Pathfinder uses (through the activities you do).
Law is for me to…Care for my Body. a

cover story
hospital. She’d been depressed for months. Praying didn’t seem to help. If
even God didn’t care anymore, then it was time to check out.
Real Life, Part One She looked in the mirror and made a face. She was so ugly, so boring.
Rob did not want her. No-one would ever want her. No-one cared.
“Hey, did you notice Janelle’s been acting weird
ever since Rob broke up with her?” Shelagh asked “God, I know this is the wrong thing to do,” she said, “I mean, I know
her friend Kristen. it’s a sin, but it seems like my only way out. You’ll forgive me, won’t you,
God? But whether you do or not, I’m going ahead with this.”
“Yeah, she seems really depressed. She’s not
interested in anything anymore—she just wants to Janelle swept the pills back into their bottle and hid it in her desk
go home and lie down in her room and play depress- drawer. She went down the hall to the kitchen to get a drink of water.
ing music. Did you know she even dropped off the
gymnastics team?”
“Really? She’s not in choir anymore either, is
she?” Shelagh said, suddenly worried.
What’s the Problem
“It’s like she’s just given up on life. I knew she Do you think suicide is something that only happens to teenagers
was upset about the breakup, but that was months in books or movies, not to anyone you know? In fact, suicide among
ago, and she hasn’t gotten over it,” Kristen said. young people is a more serious problem than you may realize.
“I was at her house the other day, and she did !In the United States, suicide is the third leading cause of
something weird. She gave me a whole bunch of her death among young people 15 to 24 years old.1 What that
tapes and CDs. Just told me to keep them. She said means is that about 5,000 youth and young adults take their
she didn’t want them anymore. I wonder why she’d own lives each year.
do that.”
!In Britain, which has the highest suicide rate in Europe, it’s
“I don’t know,” Kristen admitted, “but I know estimated that there about 19,000 suicide attempts by teenag-
Janelle’s been saying things like ‘I don’t even want to ers each year, with about a thousand actual teen suicides.2
be alive anymore,’ and ‘This world would be a better
place without me.’ You don’t think she’s thinking !What makes these statistics even more frightening is that
of—well, of killing herself, do you?” many suicides go unreported. Many apparent accidents, es-
pecially those involving cars or guns, may actually be suicides
Shelagh frowned. “Oh, I’m sure she’d never do
disguised to look like accidents.
anything like that. And besides, don’t they say that
if people talk about suicide, that means they’re not !While the rate of suicide in the general population is going
going to do it?” down in many countries (such as the U.S.), the rate of youth
suicide continues to increase.
“I’m not sure that’s true,” Kristen said. “Do
you think we should talk to her? Or tell one of our !In one study, 60% of youth said they had thought about kill-
parents or a teacher?” ing themselves, and 9% had actually attempted suicide.3
Janelle sat at her desk, lining up the pretty rows of What does this mean for you? It’s quite possible that someone
pills. It had taken her a long time to get together this you know—maybe even a good friend—may be thinking suicidal
many sleeping pills, but she wanted to make sure she thoughts or may even attempt suicide. You need to be informed, so
really had enough to do the job—not just end up in that you can help.

Suicide

And if you’ve been thinking of sui- !feel constantly bored, have dif- “So God created man in his own
cide yourself, these statistics should tell ficulty concentrating, or do more image, in the image of God he cre-
you that you’re not alone. You’re not poorly than usual in school ated him; male and female he created
weird. Other young people struggle !frequently complain about them....God saw all that he had made,
with the same problems, thoughts, and physical symptoms, often related to and it was very good” (Genesis 1:27,
feelings. And there is hope. There are emotions, such as stomachaches, 31, NIV).
better solutions than ending your life. headaches, fatigue, etc. “Do you not know that your body is
!lose interest in activities he/she the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in
you, whom you have from God, and you
What you Need to
normally enjoys
are not your own? For you were bought
!not want anyone to praise or
Know
at a price; therefore glorify God in
reward him/her your body and in your spirit, which are
One major misconception people !complain of being a bad person or God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, NKJV).
have about suicide is that those who feeling “rotten inside” God has a plan for your life. He
actually intend to kill themselves never !give verbal hints with statements does not want you to interrupt that
talk about it, so if someone talks about such as: “I won’t be a problem for plan and destroy His creation by taking
suicide, they won’t really do it. you much longer,” “Nothing mat- your own life, anymore than He would
In fact, this is the exact opposite ters,” “It’s no use,” and “I won’t see want you to destroy another person’s
of the truth. Four out of five young you again” life by committing murder.
people who commit suicide talk about !put his or her affairs in order—for
killing themselves before they actually example, give away favorite posses-
do it. It’s never safe to ignore suicide sions, clean his or her room, throw
threats. You could save a friend’s life away important belongings, etc.
THE BURDEN OF SUICID
by taking him or her seriously. The psychological and social impact
!become suddenly cheerful after a
How can you know if someone is period of depression on the family and society is immeasurabl
suicidal? average, single suicide intimately affects
!have signs of psychosis (hallucina-
A teenager who is considering six other people. If a suicide occurs in a
tions or bizarre thoughts) 4
suicide may workplace it has an impact on hundreds
!change his/her eating and sleep- The burden of suicide can be estimat
ing habits What the Bible Says terms of DALYs (disability-adjusted life ye
!withdraw from friends, family, and Nowhere in the Bible is suicide spe- According to this indicator, in 1998 suici
regular activities cifically mentioned as a sin. However, responsible for 1.8% of the total burden
!act violent and rebellious, or run the sixth commandment, which says, worldwide, varying between 2.3% in high
away “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13 countries and 1.7% in low-income count
NIV), makes it clear that it is a sin to is equal to the burden due to wars and h
!abuse drugs and alcohol
take human life—including our own roughly twice the burden of diabetes, an
!neglect his or her personal ap- lives. God is the Author of life. He is
pearance
the burden of birth asphyxia and trauma
our Creator, and we all are valuable to
!show marked personality change Him.

One misunderstanding should be
cleared up: suicide is an act of murder What the Church Says understands the needs of your case. He
is a very present help in every time of
and therefore a sin. However, many The Seventh-day Adventist Church need....Let the light of His peace shine
people mistakenly believe that the does not have an official “doctrine” into your soul....Let not one cloud of
Bible calls suicide “the unpardonable about suicide; we believe that suicide is despondency or dissatisfaction hide
sin.” They reason that because you are a sin, just as murder is, forbidden by the from you the sunshine of His presence”7
dead, you cannot ask forgiveness; thus, Ten Commandments. Some of Mrs. El-
God cannot forgive this sin. In fact, the len G. White’s statements make it clear
Bible calls “blasphemy against the Holy that she regarded suicide as a sin. What the World Says
Ghost” the only sin that cannot be for- [Speaking of the death of King Saul Suicide is one of those issues where
given (Matthew 12:31); suicide is never by suicide] Thus the first king of Israel our world sends us conflicting mes-
referred to in this way. Samson, who perished, with the guilt of self-murder sages. Everyone is concerned about
committed suicide by toppling a build- upon his soul.5 the rise of suicide among young people;
ing that killed himself along with many
Every day testifies to the increase of suicide “hot-lines” and counsellors are
of his Philistine enemies, is listed as
insanity, murder, and suicide. Who can in place to help prevent teens from
one of God’s heroes of faith in Hebrews
doubt that satanic agencies are at work killing themselves. Yet our popular
11. Only God knows the secrets of a
among men with increasing activity to culture continues to produce music,
person’s heart and mind and the men-
distract and corrupt the mind, and defile movies and books that suggest suicide
tal, emotional or spiritual pain that may
and destroy the body?6 can be a “cool” or attractive or brave
have driven them to commit suicide.
Mrs. White recognized that depres- choice. Heavy-metal and rap musi-
Only God knows wheth- sion and discouragement, which so cians who sing about suicide and mur-
er the person was able to often lead to suicide, are real problems der argue that their songs don’t really
DE affect listeners’ behavior, but the Bible
of suicide
be accountable for his or that God cares about. She wrote to
one person struggling with depression: tells us that we can be changed by the
le. On her actions—many peo- things we look at and listen to—bad as
“Do not give way to depression, but
at least ple commit suicide while let the comforting influence of the Holy
well as good (see 1 Corinthians 3:18).
school or suffering from mental ill- Spirit be welcomed into your heart, to Another “hot topic” today is that
of people. ness, which impairs their give you comfort and peace....I am pray- of assisted suicide, the right-to-die or
ing that the Lord will reveal Himself to euthanasia. Many people believe that
ted in judgment. If you are grieving those who are terminally ill should
you as a personal Comforter. The eyes
ears). for a friend who has committed of the soul must be kept open, in order have the right to kill themselves or
ide was suicide, do not torture yourself to recognize the great mercies of our ask others to kill them so they will
of disease with the thought that he or she is heavenly Father. Jesus is a bright and not suffer too much. Even Christians
h-income lost for all eternity. You cannot shining light. Let Him reflect His bright debate this issue. The position of the
tries. This know what God knows, nor can beams into the heart and mind....Look Seventh-day Adventist Church is that
homicide, you love your friend as much as to Him, and lay before Him all your it is all right for a person who is termi-
nd equal to God loves him or her. necessities. Is anything too hard for the nally ill to refuse treatment that might
. The Bible does assure us, Lord? He is the Great Physician. He can prolong but not save his or her life, but
though, that suicide is never heal soul and body, and He would have that no-one has the right to actively
God’s will for your life. you take hold of Him in faith. He fully take life, except God.

While this is a controversial topic sider getting professional counselling if is trained to help with problems
of debate, most teenagers who wrestle the suicide victim was someone close like yours. This can be a great
with the problem of suicide are consid- to you. help in the short term. In the long
ering it not because of a physical illness, term, try to find a trusted adult
but because they are spiritually and counsellor who can help you work
emotionally sick, unhappy and alone. It’s my Problem through the problems that led to
this crisis.
If you are struggling with feelings
!Make the effort to get involved
What I Can Do
of depression and despair and have
considered killing yourself, please in activities again, especially those
If you have a friend or family mem- remember that suicide is a permanent that involve helping others. If
ber who seems depressed and who may solution to a temporary problem. Al- you’ve been focusing on your own
be suicidal—especially if he or she is though it may feel like the bad times problems for a long time, a change
demonstrating several of the typical you are having now will last forever, in perspective may be refreshing.
signs of suicide listed above—please they won’t. Sometimes it’s hard for !Remember that God loves you.
don’t keep quiet. You may feel you young people to realize that situations You may not feel His love right
are interfering or being nosy, but your and people do change, and that things now—one of the things depres-
friend’s life is more important than the can and will get better. sion does is make us unable to feel
possibility that either of you might have If you’re considering suicide: positive emotions. But God’s love
your feelings hurt. Talk to your friend, is still there. Look outside yourself
and talk to a trusted adult—parent, !Don’t be ashamed of your feel-
to God’s eternal promises in the
teacher, pastor or counsellor. It’s better ings. Many youth and adults feel
Bible. Check out verses such as
to do something than to do nothing. this way. You are not “weird” or
Deuteronomy 31:8; Jeremiah 31:3;
“sick” because you have these feel-
If you have lost a friend to suicide, Isaiah 43:1, 2; Isaiah 41:10; John
ings.
you may need help dealing with your 3:16; Romans 5:4-8; 1 Peter 5:7.
grief. You may also suffer from guilt; !Share your feelings with some-
you may feel that if only you had done one. Tell a friend how you feel. Remember, you are valu-
something to help, things might have !Talk to a trusted adult—a parent, able and precious to God.
been different. The fact is that you teacher, pastor, or your family doc-
have no way of knowing what “might tor. If you feel so alone that there
He created you, and your life
have” happened. The devil loves to is no-one who can help you, call matters to Him. Ending your
tempt us with thoughts of how things a suicide-prevention hotline or a
“might have been different,” but God
life is not part of His plan for
kids’ helpline number. (Most com-
calls us to live in the present. Your grief munities have a local number in you. Reach out in faith even
for your lost friend is a real and serious the phone book. If you can’t find
problem, but your life continues on and
when you don’t feel His pres-
anything like that in your com-
God has a plan for you. munity, you can find help on the ence. God loves you; family
Since suicides among young people World Wide Web through suicide and friends care what hap-
often lead to depression and further prevention sites such as www.
suicide attempts among their friends, yellowribbon.org). There you can pens to you. Find someone to
you and other close friends should con- talk anonymously to someone who talk to.
References
1.
“Teen Suicide: AACAP Facts for Families
#10.” American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry. Online: http://www.
aacap.org/publications/factsfam/suicide.htm
Real Life, Part Two
“Bullying and Suicide.” Online: http://
2.
As Janelle left her room, the doorbell rang. Her older brother
www.successunlimited.co.uk/suicide.htm
answered it. “Hey, Janelle, it’s Kristen and Shelagh,” he called.
“Some Things You Should Know About
3.
Preventing Teen Suicide.” American Acad- Janelle really didn’t want to see anyone right now. But her
emy of Pediatrics. Online: http://www.aap.
org/advocacy/childhealthmonth/prevteensui- friends were already inside the house, and she didn’t want to be
cide.htm rude, so she invited them into her room.
“Teen Suicide: AACAP Facts for Families
4.
#10.” American Academy of Child and Kristen got right to the point. “Janelle, we’re worried about
Adolescent Psychiatry. Online: http://www. you. We know you’re depressed, and we’re afraid—well, we’re
aacap.org/publications/factsfam/suicide.htm
afraid you might try to do something stupid, like hurt yourself
White, Ellen G., Conflict and Courage, p.
5.
174. in some way.” Janelle was silent. She knew they wanted her
6.
White, Ellen G., Ministry of Healing, p. 143. to say, “Oh, I’d never do that,” but the words wouldn’t come.
7.
White, Ellen G., This Day With God, p. 305. Instead, tears started rolling down her cheeks.
Shelagh reached out a hand. “You’ve been thinking about it,
haven’t you?”
After a short silence, Kristen said, “Janelle, I know you might
be mad, but I told my mom I was worried about you. Now, I
know you don’t get along very well with your mom right now,
and you probably wouldn’t be comfortable talking to her, but
my mom and I called Pastor Harris. He’d like to see you—tonight.
He’s not going to lecture you or anything, just listen. My mom’s
in the car outside; she’ll drive us there. Will you come?”
Youth Ministry Help — All Online! “No!” Janelle said automatically. She was about to tell her
Website: youth.gc.adventist.org
Email: [email protected] friends to butt out; it was none of their business—but the words
Phone: 301-680-6170 • Fax: 301-680-6155
12501 Old Columbia Pike
wouldn’t come. Tears came instead. She had been on the point
Silver Spring • Maryland • 20904 • USA of killing herself—how could things get any worse? At least Kris-
accent
ten and Shelagh cared enough to try and help.
Finally, Janelle nodded. “I don’t know if it’ll do any good, but I’ll
come with you. Just let me grab my jacket.” a

readIT: book review
Eighty percent of all
victims of domestic Do you spend way
http://www.adventsource.org/
violence look to a pastor, too much time tweak-

priest, rabbi or other ing Bible studies to
religious leader for help suit your group? Do
first. Yet clergy are some you read questions
of the least informed that are either way
and most ill-prepared for over their heads or
abuse counseling. just plain insulting to
At the 1995 General their intelligence?
Conference Session a No more.
list of six major social issues were presented to delegates Studies on the Go
to rank in importance. Almost 30 percent chose domestic is an exciting new
violence as the number one issue to address. Bible study series
Crisis calls for response. An appropriate church response from Youth Speciali-
can start right here—with Peace & Healing. ties. It is a quick, pick-up-and-use-it set of 30
studies that don’t skimp on depth.
Adriel D. Chilson, author Whether you are a full-time youth pastor or a busy
of this book, was mar- volunteer, you’ll appreciate Studies on the Go: John.
ried to the late Winifred
White, great-granddaugh- One Thing I Know
ter of Ellen G. White, and Many regard religious
combined anecdotes col- conversion primarily, or
lected at family reunions even solely, as leaving one
with careful research to faith group and adopting
give us this collection of another. In The Dynamics
biographies. of Religious Conversion,
Each chapter of this V. Bailey Gillespie shows
volume portrays one of the persuasively that religious
pioneers of the Seventh- conversion is far deeper
day Adventist Church. and more personal
Joseph Bates was than just a switch of
kidnapped and forced to confessional allegiances.
serve five years in the British navy. Uriah Smith invented This book gives the reader:
the famous school desk with folding chair, and an improved • An overall interdisciplinary understanding of the
wooden leg—to replace the one he had sawed off without basic transformational structure and dynamic
anesthesia. Anna Knight and Kate Lindsay carried pistols. process of religious conversion
There was the time E. G. White’s son Willie got kicked out • The practical implications of this interdisciplinary
of school for insulting his teacher. understanding for the successful facilitation of
Willie would win the hand of Mary Kelsey away from religious conversion in others
John Harvey Kellogg, whose electrical health contraptions • A set of special chapters on how to effectively
would grace the royal palaces at Buckingham and Windsor. facilitate religious conversion through general
God used such fallible people to fashion a movement to pastoral ministry and through two highly
win the world with the message of a soon-coming Saviour. influential particular ministries: pastoral
Read their remarkable stories. counseling and religious education.

listenIT: CD review
Worship with the Veg-

gieTales gang! Bob,
Larry and the rest of
the Veggies will have
your little sprouts sing-
ing along to some of
today’s most popular
praise and worship
songs. The songs on
this CD were carefully
chosen to provide
families with a mean- In this album every song is
ingful and memorable deliberately calm and consciously
way to learn worship favorites. They’ll get a praisewor- tasteful, which may make for per-
thy head start with songs including “Better Is One Day” fect music for church, but hardly
(with Matt Redman), “Thy Word,” “Seek Ye First,” “I Am makes for a dynamic record. As
a Promise,” “Forever,” “You Are Holy,” and more. the album rolls on, the similar-
ity in tempo and arrangements
gives the album a monotonous,
sleepy quality; each individual
track is well crafted and sincere,
From the Dove but taken as a whole, it all blurs
together and winds up seeming
Award Winning
twice as long as its 37 minutes.
Group that brought But even if Precious Memories
you the powerful hit, winds up as something slightly
‘You Raise Me Up’ underwhelming, there’s no
comes a masterful denying that this is precisely the
album Jackson wanted to make,
15 track collection
one that’s consistent in tone and
of Greatest Hymns. exact in its vision. It may not
Selah’s Greatest make for everyday listening, even
Hymns feature the an album that would be played
recorded single, ‘Be every week, yet it would make a
good soundtrack for a reflective,
Thou My Vision’. reverent Saturday afternoon.

r 2, closes
7
200 s
th hare
Oct ation
r
co ough God
mm ’s
un mea lov
RegistRation fee: Us$150.00
RegistRation deadline: October 2, 2007
ity nin e
se gfu
obe
After this date, the registration fee will be US$200
rv
istr
ice l
www.wcycs.org
NO APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER NOVEMBER 2, 2007
ContaCt infoRmation
Reg
Your local Conference, Union or Division Youth Ministries Department

Website: youth.gc.adventist.org
re
email: [email protected] la bu
ti i
A ons ld s
Phone: 301-680-6140
dv hi
fax: 301-680-6155
en p tron
tis wi g
t t
yo h o
PROJECT TRACKS ut the
h r
•Construction Project
•Classroom Improvement
•Health Expo Project
•Teaching English
•Community Project n their od
•Youth-2-Youth
e
nght h G
stre hip wit
ions
•Fellowship relat
•Teaching Sports
Sponsored by the General Conference Youth Ministries Department
Sponsored by the General Conference Youth Ministries Department

Accent 2007 Q3 - Help!

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Accent 2007 Q3 - Help!

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Accent 2007 Q3 - Help!

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

in this issue: abortion sUicide obesity gangs abuse

viewIT: movie/dvd review

listen to them Jonatán Tejel

 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER visit us online at online at youth.gc.adventist.org

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 

DO A FEW THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER Order your copy at www.youth.gc.adventist.org youth ministry accent

Our Church Abortion and

By Gerald R. Winslow, Ph.D.

 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 

10 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 11

With increased awareness of the warning

12 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

Risk factors for teenage suicide Teen suicide warning signs

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 13

14 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 15

16 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

When properly planned the programs

youth church •handouts

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 17

What to do: Show the video “Echo in the Night,” a 30-minute

18 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

What to do: This activity is valuable on a number of Bible Text:

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 19

20 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

8. What Can You Do? (10 min.)

Used with permission, The Youth

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 21

22 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

Program Target: To help youth learn to make ethical decisions.

What to do: Vesper or Closing Thought:

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 23

Theme: Temptation Theme: Rescued from sin

Preparation:: You’ll need Bibles.

24 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

What You Can Do

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

a. member of the Armed Forces

Before I Start to Help the Hurting By A. Allan Martin, PhD

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 27

My life before I met Jesus

28 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 29

Streetgangs.com, 2002 other groups or by outsiders.

30 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 31

32 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

Obesity and Youth Ministry

34 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 35

36 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 37

38 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 39

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 41

violence look to a pastor, too much time tweak-

42 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER visit us online at online at youth.gc.adventist.org

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER Order your copy at www.youth.gc.adventist.org youth ministry accent

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER youth ministry accent

youth ministry accent JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER