GYC-PMC Partnership Calls Youth to Follow Christ

Featuring a weekend of special programming

The theme “Follow Me” was chosen by GYC organizers to explore “what it truly means to walk with Jesus through life’s highs and lows.” (Photo by Blaise Datoy)

Pioneer Memorial Church (PMC) and Andrews University hosted a special weekend event organized by Generation Youth Christ (GYC) on Oct. 24 and 25 under the theme “Follow Me.” The weekend’s programming allowed Andrews students and visiting youth to learn about the meaning of truly following Jesus and finding their identity in Him. The invitation for GYC to come to Berrien Springs originated with Shane Anderson, Pioneer Memorial Church lead pastor, who expressed profound interest in GYC’s meaningful programming.

“I felt like they have an inspirational value, Bible-based value, that I certainly would want at Pioneer, and by extension for the campus as well,” said Anderson. GYC has worked as an affiliated organization with the Seventh-day Adventist Church since 2002, specifically appealing to youth and young adults through its annual end-of-year conferences and other spiritual events.

The theme “Follow Me” was chosen by GYC organizers to explore “what it truly means to walk with Jesus through life’s highs and lows,” as explained in the event’s promotional material. Anderson emphasized the significance of this message, stating, “I think the theme of following Christ, of being focused on him as the center of gravity for your life, is something that is like the opposite of all human natures since the fall.” He added, “To have a special weekend that’s focused specifically on that theme, with seminars in the afternoon to match, I think it’s a positive thing. I think it’s a great opportunity for students to be able to come to learn more about that very important topic.”

The weekend began with a Friday night vespers program, where North Carolina-based public speaker Sebastien Braxton spoke on the topic “I’m Not Following.” Braxton discussed the necessity of discipleship and adequately following God, as modeled by Jesus’ disciples in the Gospels. He spoke again on Sabbath for the second service at PMC, with a sermon titled “It’s for You.” During the sermon, he highlighted the story of Samuel, who, prior to being a prophet, actively worked for God during his youth. Braxton called for today’s youth to bear their weight in doing spiritual work for God within the church.

The first service at PMC on Sabbath featured speaker Sikhululekile Daco, associate editor of the Adventist Review, with her sermon titled “Mind Your Own Business.” Daco spoke about Jesus’ rebuke of Martha in the Book of Luke, where He preferred her to, in Daco’s words, “mind her own business” when criticizing her sister. Daco explained how it is better to focus on one's personal relationship with God rather than seeking to critique others.

On Sabbath afternoon, the event closed with breakout sessions led by David Buruchara, a clinical mental health counselor based in Virginia; Chad Kreuzer, director of Anchor Point Films; Daco; and Anderson.