Why Many Young People Decided Not to Get Baptized at the European Congress
A group of young attendees raise their hands in worship during the last day of the 2026 European Adventist Youth Congress in Valencia, Spain, August 8. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
It’s not what you might think, regional church leaders explain.
August 18, 2026 | Valencia, Spain | Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review
The 2026 European Adventist Youth Congress closed on August 8, in Valencia, Spain, with a full-day program that included spiritual messages, congregational singing, and a moving baptismal ceremony. But while about 20 young people decided to commit to the Lord through baptism, many more answered the call but decided not to do it before their 3,500 coattendees.
Why? There’s a reason for it, regional church leaders explained. And it’s not what you might think.
Two pastors embrace the candidates they baptized just seconds before on the closing day of the 2026 European Adventist Youth Congress in Valencia, Spain, August 8. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
An Enriching Experience
The mass gathering of Seventh-day Adventist young people from nearly 50 countries traveled to Valencia for several days of back-to-back physical, mental, social, and spiritual activities. Attendees participated in physical challenges, chose between scores of workshops on various topics, and had moments of Bible discussion and study in an environment that fostered international networking and connections.
Once more, the Adventist Church in Europe showed that mere numbers do not always tell the whole story. Workshops included not only some of the best theologians the Adventist Church has, but pastors who also serve as couples and family therapists, lay professionals who witness about God in extremely secular environments, and scientists who provide alternative questions to the dominant narrative about origins and evolution. Professors from various schools and seminaries across the region also provided powerful research-based insights into aspects of God’s truth.
A young woman follows one of the spiritual segments during the 2026 European Adventist Youth Congress in Valencia, Spain. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
Attendees had ample time to interact with presenters, asking questions and clarifications.
An informal survey of attendees revealed a common response: “It was an extremely enriching experience; it opened my mind.”
Morning devotionals, led by professor and pastor Ivana Mendez, and evening reflections, led by pastor and family therapist Damian Chandler, invited mostly college-aged attendees to reflect and go deeper into God’s Word in search for answers. The environment helped foster connections with fellow like-minded young people, with the church, and with God, organizers said.
And yet, while scores of people made decisions for Jesus, not everyone who had been studying and was ready got into the baptismal pool on August 8.
A young woman reacts after being submerged in the baptismal waters during a special ceremony on August 8. About 20 young people committed to God through baptism. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
Focus on the Local Church Community
Daniel Duda, president of the Trans-European Division, shared the reason for these postponements.
“Many young people decided not to get baptized here in Valencia because they would like to do it in front of those who have been significant in their lives, that is to say, at their local churches,” he explained. Somehow, he added, “they feel a very special connection with their local congregations and decided it would be better not to deprive them from witnessing that special moment.”
A group of attendees listen to one of scores of workshops available on such topics as religion, faith and science, relationships, theology, discipleship, and witnessing. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
Duda shared that in some of those local congregations, baptismal ceremonies took place only on very rare occasions. “It’s not often that the local congregation can witness a baptism,” he said. “And these young people feel they would like to get baptized by someone close to them, as their family and friends witness the moment.”
Duda said it was an extremely positive and inspiring event, especially for young participants. “In some countries we do not have even 3,500 baptized church members, and very few of them are young,” Duda acknowledged. “Imagine what it was for these young people to study, laugh, and spend time with thousands of others just like them. They certainly felt that they are part of something bigger!”