Youth Join Hands

Missionary volunteers believe the time has arrived for God's youth to join hands with the pastors in active soul winning.

LAWRENCE NELSON, Associate Secretary, General Conference MV Departmen

Missionary volunteers believe the time has arrived for God's youth to join hands with the pastors in active soul winning. Years ago the servant of the Lord wrote that there should be one hundred workers where there is now one. Problems of finance have so far made this impossible, but this godly counsel can still become a reality. We be­lieve that Sister White was actually calling for individual church member participa­tion. Now the Advent youth are taking a step in the direction of assuming this responsibility.

1964 will become a year of great signifi­cance to our youth movement. Through the North American Division MV TAR­GET 3000 is being received with tremen­dous enthusiasm. It is a plan calling for every Missionary Volunteer Society to en­gage in direct soul-winning evangelism this year. One thousand youth evangelistic proj­ects are planned, and we are praying that three thousand baptisms will result. In the world field we anticipate five thousand projects with fifteen thousand baptisms.

Within the senior youth segment of the church there are thousands of young men and women who with the proper counsel and direction can become mighty soul win­ners. This army of youth could be a great source in producing baptism candidates for the pastor each year.

Experience is a good teacher. In working with our youth we have discovered that they can become very successful in giving Bible studies, preaching the Word, touch­ing hearts with their friendship, and in organizing branch Sabbath schools. We have also discovered that these endeavors, concluded by a special series of evangelistic meetings conducted by the pastor, bring large numbers to decisions. This is why the youth are reaching out their hands to join the pastors in finishing the task.

During 1964 each Missionary Volunteer Society is being asked to conduct one of four recommended evangelistic projects, to be followed immediately by special meet­ings conducted by the pastor, evangelist, or conference MV secretary. The four sug­gested projects are (1) An MV Voice of Youth series, (2) Operation Fireside, (3) Friendship Teams, or (4) a branch Sab­bath school. An attractive pamphlet titled MV TARGET 3000, describing every de­tail of this program, is being sent to each pastor in the North American Division, and sufficient copies will be provided for the MV Society leadership.

The pastor is always looking for new methods to develop interest and spiritual awakening among the church at large. MV TARGET 3000 has the potential of pro­ducing an entirely new outlook through­out the church. Both young and old can de­velop a new experience in God as they strive to help their fellow men prepare to meet the Lord. Many perplexing problems of youth discipline within the church will disappear when the youth are challenged to use their talents and energies in service for Christ. The greatest program of training successful laymen for now and tomor­row can be achieved in teaching our youth to become soul winners through actual par­ticipation in evangelistic projects.

Within your church there may be youth who have really never tasted the saving grace of Jesus but who can be reached for Christ through your personal interest in assisting them in these evangelistic projects as outlined in MV TARGET 3000. The following counsel places a tremendous re­sponsibility on the shoulders of the pastor in his relationship to the youth.

When the youth give their hearts to God, our responsibility for them does not cease. They must be interested in the Lord's work, and led to see that He expects them to do something to advance His cause. It is not enough to show how much needs to be done, and to urge the youth to act a part. They must be taught how to labor for the Master. They must be trained, disciplined, drilled, in the best methods of winning souls to Christ. Teach them to try in a quiet, unpretending way to help their young companions. Let different branches of missionary effort be systematically laid out, in which they may take part, and let them be given instruction and help. Thus they will learn to work for God.—Gospel Workers, p. 210.

The MV objective of three thousand baptisms in the North American Division during 1964 is by no means to be lightly considered. It represents the equivalent of an organized conference. When the pastor accepts the extended hand of youth in win­ning souls, we believe MV TARGET 3000 will be a success. It will prove to be the beginning of still greater things. The hour is late. The coming of Christ is soon to be revealed. It is time for the youth to join hands with the pastor in finishing the work, that Christ may come.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

LAWRENCE NELSON, Associate Secretary, General Conference MV Departmen

December 1963

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

Confirmed in Service

Does the term confirmation mean anything to you?

The Beatitudes of Revelation

A loyal veteran, still active for God with voice and pen, sends us this suggested sermon outline. We invite similar contributions from preachers who desire to help their fellows.

Seminary Extension School in Southern Europe

The summer Extension School of the Theological Seminary of Andrews Uni­versity was sponsored by the Southern European Division and held at the Semi­naire Adventiste, Collonges-sous-Saleve, France.

Tohu and Wabou

Great words of the Bible--24

Some Pulpits I have Known

Some of the pulpits I have known through the years are quite unforgettable. There was the crude pulpit, the promotion-filled pulpit, the high and lofty pulpit, and the modernistic pulpit.

The History of the Evolutionary Concept (Concluded)

The evolutionary theory, instead of solv­ing the origin of all things, is actually an evolution of thought; a mutation of ideas, and a natural selection of theory with adaptation to the philosophy of time.

Evangelism Among the Spanish People in North America

Public evangelism as car­ried on among English-language people in North America generally differs widely from the evangelistic approach made to foreign-language people in this world division. There is one excep­tion to this rule—the work for the Spanish-speaking peoples.

It Works!

Elder Salim Japas, evangelist of the Austral Union of the South American Division, has just completed a successful evangelistic campaign. One hundred and twenty souls have been baptized, right in the heart of the giant city of Los Angeles!

Evangelism for the Jews in New York City

The task of attracting Jewish people to any religious meeting, and a Christian one especially, is formidable--but it can be done!

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up

Recent issues

See All