Growing Together

05/18/2026

WASHED CLEAN
There are so many rewards to ministry mentoring, especially if you’re afforded the honor of traveling with pastoral apprentices for longer than a season or two. To see growth, and experience hardship together; To be refined and sharpened as interns and residents learn the craft of pastoral compassion and care; All of it is a privilege.

A special moment came to us at as we saw multiple baptisms, the result of the faithful and tender discipleship our ministerial students afforded our baptismal candidates. It was so beautiful to witness GOD working in all of our lives, celebrating how Christ Jesus makes us — all of us — clean.

I’ve been washed in the water
Washed in the blood
I’m as good as new
Oh, hallelujah
I’ve been washed in the water
Washed in the blood
All because of You
Oh, hallelujah
Let’s go

And I’m clean
Sin was stained on me
And shame was running deep
But love was spilled on Calvary
Oh, hallelujah
I’m clean
And God how can it be?
I’m ransomed and redeemed
Standing in Your victory
Oh, hallelujah

I’m clean
It’s not what I have done
But what You’ve done for me
You paid it all up on that tree
Oh, hallelujah
I’m clean
Your love has overcome
And Your mercy is supreme
I’m dancing in Your victory
Oh, hallelujah

Sing it again
I’ve been washed in the water
Washed in the blood
I’m as good as new
Oh, hallelujah
I’ve been washed in the water
Washed in the blood
All because of You
Oh, hallelujah

Cause You took away my shame
And You nailed it to the cross
You got me running out the grave
Oh, hallelujah, here I come

Oh He took it away
Yeah You took away my shame
And You nailed it to that old rugged cross
Got me running out the grave
Oh hallelujah here I come

Come on, we say
I’ve been washed in the water
Washed in the blood
I’m as good as new
Oh hallelujah
I’ve been washed in the water
Washed in the blood
All because of You
Oh hallelujah

04/25/2026

02/27/2026

OPEN AND TRANSPARENT SPACES
Several conference ministry directors brought a group of their emerging adults to Young Adult LIFE Experience [YALX], ready to interact, experience, and influence.

"YALX provided an open and transparent space to address the issues impacting young adult leaders,” endorsed Dr. Jamal Franklyn, Young & Young Adult Ministries Director, Allegheny West Conference. “It created an opportunity for passionate young adults to engage directly with church leadership, share experiences, and exchange ideas that will strengthen their local churches and foster intercultural and intergenerational growth."

“Attending the young adult leadership event was both empowering and spiritually enriching,” lauded Johely Benavides, Assistant City Prosecutor, from Allegheny West Conference. “The keynote sessions and seminars challenged me to grow as a leader, while deepening my personal relationship with God.”

Church leaders and administrators were also challenged as they engaged young adults on various important issues that fuel attrition from church life.

“YALX was an opportunity to make known the outdated, inconsistent, and unchristlike markers of ministerial success, and the raw, dangerous necessity of a faith that values souls over systems,” confided Henok Cherestal, a Computer Science & Engineering major at Ohio State University. “It was a visceral reminder that for our faith to survive the coming shift, we must be willing to dismantle our comfort to make room for the calling.”

NAD NewsPoints gave further account: “During an especially lively exchange, attendees urged leaders to financially and otherwise support non-traditional young adult ministries. . . Cherestal, who is also a youth coordinator at his church in Allegheny West Conference and leader of Crosswalk Initiative, challenged older leaders to embrace 'letting the salt out of its shaker' by supporting ministry beyond church walls."

Such honest exchanges between Adventist Church leaders and young adults were rich, welcomed, and enlightening. Although it was just the beginning of such conversations, it gave many young adults much to take home with them.

“YALX gave me valuable insight, which I was immediately able to put into practice,” noted Josy Rodriguez, an educator who serves her local church as the youth and young leader. “Our first teen meeting launched with a table talk encouraging thoughtful conversation about spiritual growth and community within the church. This initiative marks the first step toward developing a mentorship pathway connecting our teenagers with young adult leaders.”

Find the full feature on YALX in NAD NewsPoints:
https://www.nadadventist.org/news/seeds-of-hope-young-adults-and-church-leaders-gather-for-the-nad-life-experience

02/25/2026

ITALIAN FARE AND FELLOWSHIP
Over 40 young adults and administrators gathered as NextGen Pastors, Theology/Religion majors, and Young Professionals enjoyed dinner at the conclusion of eHuddle. Sponsored by NAD Ministerial, Growing Together and , the meal offered emerging generations an opportunity to enjoy Italian fare and foster relationships with church leaders and each other.

02/23/2026

YALX: JADA’S EXPERIENCE
Jada Lewis, a pre-med student at the University of Louisville, shared about Young Adult LIFE Experience [YALX]:
“My experience at YALX was incredible. The connections, random conversations, dinners, and Starbucks runs sparked a revival. Each session brought conversation and meaningful impact.”

NADNewsPoints elaborated:
The weekend proved that young adults are ready and willing to create the change they seek. For example, Jada Lewis, a patient care assistant and medical school student in Louisville, also serves as her church’s children’s ministries coordinator. With only 10 to 15 young adult members and no dedicated ministry for them, she said, “That community sense is missing,” she said. Lewis exchanged contact information with Dr. Tracy Wood and other leaders and said she looked forward to bringing new young adult initiatives to her congregation. “I’m going back to my pastor with a plan. The vision is here. I’m gonna lay it out.” 

She said, of what she’d gleaned from YALX, “This event will propel you forward. It’s what you do after that that takes it to the next level.”

Find the full story at NAD NewsPoints:
https://www.nadadventist.org/news/seeds-of-hope-young-adults-and-church-leaders-gather-for-the-nad-life-experience/

02/18/2026

YALX: MARCOS’ EXPERIENCE
“The bitter cold wind blew outside the Galt House Hotel, and snow covered the ground with a beautiful, frozen blanket. Inside, we received warmth through fellowship at Young Adult LIFE Experience [YALX], reuniting with old friends and making new ones. We heard testimonies of how God leads young adults as they go through life. We received training to better equip us to serve alongside our peers and our church. As we braved the weather to do LIFE together in Louisville, we built courage, commitment, desire, and drive at YALX. God has placed passion in the heart of young adults and those called to ministry with them; To serve and to create the change that the church needs.”
—Marcos D. Alcántara K., Theology major, Andrews University; and Carolina Conference Young Adult Leadership Team Member