14/03/2020
Dear Youth and Youth Leaders,
Due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Virus (which has been declared a pandemic) and our sincere desire to protect your health and that of your families and local communities, we are officially postponing Global Youth Day 2020 activities and transitioning to a prayer focus instead.
Although the ultimate decision is that of your Division Youth Department and local leadership, we at the General Conference Youth Department feel it is in everyone’s best interest to not participate this year. Regarding Week of Prayer and Homecoming we defer to your Divisions to decide since these events involve public worship.
We want to express our deepest thanks to everyone who has dedicated time, energy and resources to make this event a blessing for our youth. We also want to express our deepest apologies for the disappointment this announcement may cause you. We do however look forward to Global Youth day in 2021!
Always remember that Global Youth Day is more than a yearly event. It is a daily lifestyle of being the hands and feet of Jesus! So please stay healthy spiritually and physically and “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Global Youth Day will happen next year (God willing) and when it does, we should all have stories to tell of how God used us daily to “be the sermon” in this time of concern!
On a proactive note, we will be conducting two, two-hour shows, to pray for those affected by the virus and for global health. We will also be giving some practical tips on how to “Be the Sermon” throughout the year and how to stay healthy. So be sure to join us on Facebook from 6-8 a.m. EST or 8-10 p.m. EST on Sabbath March 21, 2020. By the way, the second showing will be a repeat of the first.