Adventist Youth in Inter-America challenged to “Win With Jesus”

Young people hold posters with the words “Gagne Avec Jesus” or Win With Jesus during Inter-America’s online youth campaign from Salem Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cayenne, French Guiana, May 7-10, 2014. More than 400 Adventist youth gathered to be part of the annual online event focused on motivating young people to be on the winning side by praying and studying the bible daily as well as sharing God’s love in their communities. Images by Abel Marquez/IAD

May 14, 2014 – Cayenne, French Guiana…Libna Stevens/IAD

Louise Nocandy, IAD associate youth ministries director and guest speaker of the event challenged young people to let Jesus give them the desire to change their life to reach the finish line.

Young people throughout the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America were urged to choose Jesus and commit to training and pursuing a victorious life during an online event last week held in Cayenne, French Guiana.

The four-segment annual program, themed “Win With Jesus”, challenged hundreds of thousands of young people across borders to pursue a daily walk with Jesus by praying daily, studying the bible and sharing God’s love in their communities.

“To win with Jesus is not about just a game, it’s not about getting a good score, but it is about our destiny,” said Louise Nocandy, associate youth ministries director for the church in Inter-America and guest speaker for the online youth event. “Yes, we are in a race, a race to reach heaven so you must leave the ball to Jesus and let Him give you the desire to change your life to reach the finish line.”

Nocandy reminded the more than 400 young people gathered at the Salem Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cayenne and online viewers that there is no secret recipe to win the race.

The event was a historic event in the french territory of the Inter-American Division. Last year the online youth campaign was held from the church’s headquarter office in Miami, Florida.

“You have to be intimate with God,” she said.

It is that intimacy that youth leaders across the territory have been promoting for decades and more so during the last four years, said Pastor Benjamin Carballo, youth ministries director for the church in Inter-America and organizer of the event.

“We want our nearly 2 million young members to understand that they are already winners and they must continue training and seeking Jesus every morning, following His guidance and being active in the mission of sharing God’s love,” said Carballo.

The event was the second online youth campaign held in Inter-America and the first to be held in the French territory. The online program was translated into English and Spanish.

Pastor Benjamin Carballo, IAD youth ministries director, says programs like the online campaign motivate young people to continue enriching their spiritual experience to become a powerful generation. IAD file photo

“It was so wonderful to see that the youth in French Guiana are committed to sharing Jesus using their gifts and talents and technology for a fresh message, within the youth culture and supported by leaders who love them and guide them in evangelistic efforts,” said Carballo.

The one-hour online evening segments, which began May 7, featured music, prayer sessions, spiritual messages, drama performances, Q&A segments and interviews with successful young French athletes.

Marie Angelique Lacordelle, a sprinter and relay runner form Cayenne, who has participated in competitions in France as well as World Championships, spoke on perseverance and hard work to reach her goals.

“You must persevere, be patient, stay motivated and love what you’re doing because that is the only way you will succeed,” said Lacordelle. “Use your weaknesses as your strengths and win by faith.”

The online programs featured music from Adventist youth from throughout Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana.

Persevering to keep focused on Jesus during a time when young people are facing temptations in all shapes and forms is one message leaders want to keep communicating, said Carballo.

“Programs like this online campaign motivate our young people to continue enriching their spiritual experience while clinging to Jesus as they gain strength to continue being the powerful generation that will fulfill the mission of the church to a dying world,” said Carballo.

The concluding program on Sabbath, May 10, featured the baptism of seven young people during the live program. Some 23 more young people are interested in preparing for baptisms, local leaders said.

To view pictures of Inter-America’s “Win With Jesus” Online Youth Campaign, CLICK HERE

The “Win With Jesus” campaign from Cayenne, will be available to view soon at winwithjesus.interamerica.org