Who are your people? 
What is good news to them? 
Where do my people need me to show up for them? 

These are the questions that attendees were challenged to answer at the Spring 2024 Young Adult LIFE* Tour stop at Pleasant Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church in Happy Valley, Oregon. Young adults, church leaders, mentors, and parents gathered to learn about the unique challenges emerging adults face and how churches can help meet their needs. 

“Young Adult LIFE Tour drew registrants from throughout the North Pacific Union and across the nation, some from as far away as New Jersey,” noted Pastor Dan Linrud. “It was a joy to host the Tour here in the Oregon Conference. 

During the Oregon tour stop, Steven Argue, author of Young Adult Ministry Now and applied research strategist with Fuller Youth Institute, shared his burden for young adults, especially as they face challenges with mental health, finding a career, navigating relationships, and negotiating questions and doubts.

“Pastor Argue’s Sabbath morning message was easily in the top five sermons I’ve ever heard,” lauded Greg Philips, Pleasant Valley young adult pastor. “Great content all weekend! I’m so thankful that the Young Adult LIFE Tour came to Oregon!”

Argue challenged attendees to embrace young adults, even if they don’t attend church regularly, because they may be progressing toward a faith that is better able to navigate a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. Ultimately, Argue said, “God is for young adults, He is with young adults, He believes in young adults, and He is calling us to do the same.”

Opening Doors

In Sabbath panel discussions, young adults shared their perceptions of the church. Panelists disclosed that too often the church may perceive young adults as rebellious or worldly, not interested in matters of faith or ministry; this leads to suspicion and distrust between young adults and older generations. Unfortunately, many young adults feel neglected by a church disinterested in the challenges and realities next generations face.

But these young adult participants reassured attendees that this doesn’t have to be the reality in the church. Panelists also shared about church leaders who opened their doors to young adults to offer them a free meal and a place to hang out during the week; mentors who were willing to listen to young adults' struggles and empower them to be leaders in the church; and parents who loved their children amid doubts, questioning, and uncertainty.

“Young adults are at a vulnerable point in their development where they are learning how to be adults while also wrestling with deep questions of identity, belonging ,and purpose," Argue shared on Sabbath afternoon. "But emerging generations of young adults have faced unique challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic, social media, and difficult economic conditions.” 

Argue told attendees he believes this creates an opportunity for churches to bring good news to young adults and build stronger intergenerational faith communities. He said the good news doesn’t always have to be in the form of a gospel message, because for many young people, good news can sometimes take the form of a free meal, a ride to work or church, or an empathetic ear. 

“We — all generations — really connected with God in worship and the messages, and there was a buzz of energetic fellowship,” added Linrud. “It was truly an impactful gathering.”

What’s Next

Wanting to be more than an instructional event, the Young Adult LIFE Tour intends to be experiential and interactive, seeking to hold tour stops in local Adventist churches across the division where vibrant young adult ministry is thriving and bringing vitality to the whole congregation.

“The Young Adult LIFE Tour showed me that bringing generations together under the umbrella of church is not only possible, but it’s preferred by all ages,” said young adult attendee Daniel Gorton. “I would encourage this tour for any Adventist community!” 

Following a Lake Union stop at the historic Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chicago, the Young Adult LIFE Tour next arrives November 22-23, in the Pacific Union hosted by the Camelback Seventh-day Adventist Church in Arizona. Plans are being made for tour stops in Canada and North Carolina in 2025. For more information go to youngadultlife.com

*Young Adult LIFE is the North American Division’s young adult discipleship framework giving focus to: Leadership Impact, Intergenerational Relationships, Faith Development, and Everyday Compassion.