Adventists in Inter-America Take Action on GYD to Transform Their Communities

Thousands of young people take the day to serve through acts of kindness across the territory.

March 23, 2025 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Global Youth Day (GYD) mobilized thousands of children and young Seventh-day Adventists across the Inter-American Division (IAD) to serve and share love in their cities and communities on March 15, 2025. The annual initiative, led by the youth ministries department of the General Conference, encourages young people to step out of their comfort zones and “Be the Sermon” by demonstrating the love of Jesus through acts of kindness wherever they go.

This year’s theme, “ACT: A Community Transformed,” emphasized the importance of young people taking active steps in serving and making a difference. It was about putting their faith into action and demonstrating the love of Christ through service, said Pastor Al Powell, youth ministries director of the IAD.

“Young people rallied together once again throughout Inter-America to distribute literature, clean up neighborhoods, bring cheer to the sick and the elderly, donate blood, share meals, feed the homeless, and so much more,” said Powell. “Our youth showed that faith isn’t just about words, but actively living out the teachings of Jesus in everyday life,” Powell said.

Distributing Evangelistic Pamphlets

In Bogotá, Colombia, thousands of young people distributed 5 million copies of evangelistic pamphlets from March 8-15, pointing people to Bible studies online. This effort was a collaboration between Adventist World Radio and the church’s Esperanza Radio in Colombia. Over 60 missionaries from the United States also joined these efforts in Bogotá throughout the week.

“This went far beyond simply distributing literature. It served as a powerful call to action for young Seventh-day Adventists and highlighted the pivotal role they play in sharing the gospel,” said José Saavedra, director of Esperanza Radio. “There are still many souls to reach in Colombia, but initiatives like this empower the church and its members to continue spreading the message of salvation.”

Elsewhere in the South Colombia Union, thousands of young people impacted their communities by donating blood at local hospitals, distributing literature at transit stations, plazas, and markets, visiting hospitals and nursing homes, and sharing musical performances and prayer in parks and community spaces.

Sharing Hope and Compassion

In Mexico, young people took to the streets to march, share hope, and distribute more than three million copies of this year’s missionary book, Living with Hope, by Marcello Niek and Bruno Raso. The book highlights keys to improving mental health and emotional intelligence.

A group of young people from the Cosmos Pathfinder Club in Huixtla, Chiapas, came across the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, as she was supervising the construction of the interoceanic railroad, which will connect the Pacific Ocean with the Gulf of Mexico. They gave her a book and even took a photo together.

Many in Chiapas found creative ways to highlight healthy lifestyle activities, such as promoting the eight natural remedies—water, rest, exercise, healthy foods, and more—while marching and distributing the missionary book, following a caravan of floats decorated with banners, posters, and balloons.

Spreading Joy and Smiles

In Caracas and the rest of eastern Venezuela, more than 10,000 young people spread joy, love, and compassion through a variety of activities, including distributing clothes and food, visiting hospitals, singing and praying on the streets, distributing literature, painting murals, and engaging in dozens of other creative initiatives.

“It was satisfying to see so many young people serving and cheering others on,” said Jairo Parra, youth ministries director in the South Central Venezuela Conference. “An Adventist youth is a missionary, a person who takes the gospel to others and serves God. What I love most about working with young people is their creativity, dynamism, and their strength moving forward without fear,” he said.

In Jamaica, young people from the Spalding and White Shop Adventist Churches in central Jamaica gifted taxi drivers with care packages and tracts, offering words of encouragement and highlighting the importance of their service.

“I’ve been driving this route for years, and I can’t remember the last time someone stopped just to say thank you. This made my day, and I appreciate the kindness,” said a taxi driver.

Others expressed deep gratitude for the thoughtful gesture, as they are often overlooked for their daily service.

“It felt amazing to give back to those who help keep our community moving daily,” said J-Que Williams, a youth from White Shop Church. “Many of them were surprised by our gesture, but their smiles showed how much it meant to them.”

Abigail Gabbidon, a youth from Spalding SDA, added, “This experience reminded me that simple acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day.”

Uniting to Make a Difference

In Panama, the focus this year was more than just a celebration, youth leaders said. Young people distributed literature, cleaned communities, visited hospitals, homes, and nursing homes, distributed food, and prayed for people in their communities.

“This was an opportunity for Adventist young people to unite with strength and commitment, showing the power of their actions in their local communities,” said Misael González, youth ministries director of the Panama Union.

In the Southeast Panama Mission, young people created their own Global Youth Day initiatives, tailoring them to meet the unique needs of their local communities.

Youth volunteers donated blood at their local blood bank, gifted hundreds of backpacks with school supplies to needy children, distributed hundreds of food baskets, provided over 250 breakfast meals for the homeless, and shared hundreds of clothing items with people in need across the country.

“For the more than 500 young people in the Metropolitan Panama City area, Global Youth Day was more than a service event; it was an investment in the future of the church,” said Feliz Chavéz, youth ministries director of the Metropolitan Panama Conference.

Launched in 2013, Global Youth Day’s purpose is to recapture the reality of Adventist youth as a global movement mobilized for service. It contributes to the proclamation of the everlasting gospel and ushers in the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Laura Acosta, Uriel Castellanos, Steven’s Rosado, Nigel Coke, and Johana García contributed to this report.