By Samuel Gillis
The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) community in Guyana and worldwide will close their church doors this Saturday, March 16, in observance of Global Youth Day.
This initiative, which began in March 2013, is an annual event organized by Adventist youth societies globally.
Global Youth Day is dedicated to demonstrating acts of kindness and meeting the physical and spiritual needs of communities.
Marinella Glasgow, leader of Adventist Youth Ministries (AYM), outlined the diverse activities planned for the day, including distributing hampers, organizing blood drives, offering physiotherapy sessions, conducting street concerts, and engaging in various mission projects.
Glasgow emphasized that the goal of Global Youth Day is to showcase Adventist youth as a global movement committed to service.
On this day, participants set aside formal attire and instead take to the streets to serve their communities.
Addressing the traditional perception of rigid church attendance principles among SDAs, Glasgow clarified that on March 16, all SDA church doors will be closed.
She emphasized the biblical principle of doing good on the Sabbath and underscored that Global Youth Day embodies reaching out to mankind beyond the confines of church fellowship.
Glasgow highlighted the deeper significance of religious faith, emphasizing the importance of selfless acts, which form the core of Global Youth Day’s mission.
Global Youth Day serves as a reminder that religious practice extends beyond mere attendance at church services, encompassing active engagement in compassionate service to others.