Generation of Youth for Christ
Generation of Youth for Christ formerly the General Youth Conference is an annual conference and expression of conservative Adventist theology. Its first official conference was held in 2002.
History
Founding
Generation of Youth for Christ was founded as the General Youth Conference with initial funding and coordination provided by employees of the reactionary Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.[1]With support from the Michigan Conference among others, GYC raised over 1.3 million dollars during its first three years of existence.[1] It is currently registered as a non-profit organization in the state of Michigan, with its headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is governed by its board of directors.
Criticism
GYC has been controversial from the start. Some have described it as a "emotional,anti-intellectual [and] conservative movement" that doesn't accomplish anything long-term.[2] Officers within the General Conference and North American Division were also quoted describing individuals involved with GYC as “controversial,” “divisive” and “engaged in independent activities worldwide” among other accusations.[3]
Inspiration and Leaders
"The idea of GYC was conceived at CAMPUS to mobilize and train a diverse group of Adventist youth and college students who shared a vision for a Bible-based, mission-driven, multi-racial, youth-led movement. The key architects of the GYC “experiment”—Israel Ramos (then missionary at CAMPUS), Justin Kim (then student at Brandeis University), and Andrea Oliver (then student at Princeton)—were all impacted by the ministry of CAMPUS and all had either been CAMPUS missionaries (Israel and Andrea) or joined the CAMPUS staff (Israel and Justin). "[4]
Statement of Clarification
The General Conference Youth Ministries Department issued a "Clarification Statement Regarding General Youth Conference (GYC)" following the World Youth Advisory meeting in March/April 2006. GYC subsequently released its own statement.[5]
Conferences
- 2002, Pine Springs Ranch, Southeastern California - Theme: “Pentecost: He Will Do It Again”
- 2003, Ann Arbor, Michigan - Theme: “Higher than the Highest”
- 2004, Sacramento, California - Theme: “Carry the Light”
- 2005, Chattanooga, Tennessee - Theme: “Now is the Time”
- 2006, Baltimore, Maryland - Theme: “By Every Word”
- 2007, Minneapolis, Minnesota - Theme: “Be”
- 2008, San Jose, California - Theme: "For This Purpose"
- 2009, Louisville, Kentucky - Theme: - Unashamed
- 2010, Baltimore, Maryland - Theme: - "No Turning Back"
References
- ^ a b Taylor, Ervin (January 20), "CREATING MYTHS: GENERATION OF YOUTH FOR CHRIST (GYC) ORIGINS", Adventist Today, retrieved January 21, 2011
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- ^ Hanson, Andrew (January 24), "Reviewing the Review: GYC Edition", Spectrum Magazine, retrieved January 25, 2011,
What I am saying is that emotional, anti-intellectual, conservative movements like GYC don't accomplish much in the long run in spite of all the hoopla. They are ineffective in achieving their own long-term goals and can be spiritually harmful to the young innocents who blame themselves for delaying the Second Advent.
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mismatch (help) - ^ Koranteng-Pipim, Samuel. "A Grassroots Youth Revival Movement" (html). DRPIPIM.ORG. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
church leaders spread word around that GYC and those known to be associated with it were "controversial," "divisive," and "engaged in independent activities worldwide"
- ^ The Concept And Birth Of GYC by Samuel Pipim
- ^ "GYC Statement of Clarification" May 3, 2006. The original General Conference statement is reprinted as Appendix C on page 12. Accessed 2007-12-13
External links
- Independent ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Religious organizations established in 2002
- Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Protestantism
- Christianity in the United States
- Protestant denominations, unions, and movements established in the 21st century
- Christian vegetarianism
- Seventh-day Adventist media
- Christian evangelicalism