There are two basic things an international youth convention needs: young people from various nations and a willingness to study deeply the word of God. We are thankful to the Lord that we can report that both were present at the last international youth convention of the millennium.
From three continents and fifteen countries young people assembled to praise the Lord. Australia, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Czech, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, United States of America, and Yugoslavia were all represented at the meetings. Over 200 were present for the whole convention and over 500 during the weekend.
This convention was the third international youth congress hosted by the brethren from Hungary. The meetings were held at the property in Mogyorod, which is getting to be a well-known town to young people from around the world.
The meetings started August 16 and continued until August 24. Besides the many studies and meetings there was much opportunity for walks in nature. The outing on Sunday brought all the young people to a castle on a mountain overlooking the capital city of Budapest.
The feature which marked this camp meeting most was the unity which the young people displayed. Meals were shared in such a manner that young people from various parts of the world sat together to try and overcome the language barrier. Many people learned words in different languages, but since most of this was done over dinner, the words learned tended to be about food. To our Hungarian young people we say “tanyir, koshar, vilo, krumpir, yo.”
Music played a big part in the program. There were many song services, and a large choir was formed. This choir, composed primarily of people who knew very little English, or no English at all, practiced almost every day, with a final large practice on Friday. Over 150 people sang in the choir (from all 15 countries), for the end of the Sabbath Service. They sang the song “In A Little While We’re Going Home.” The writer, as choir conductor, praised the Lord for giving such a diverse group of young people the gift of singing together. (Though of course as usual, the tenors could have been louder!) There were so many individual musical items that the young people’s meeting was not sufficient, and the musical program continued well into the evening on Sabbath night.
But there was a reason all these young people came together, and that was to study the word of God. There were studies presented each day under the theme “Youth Ministry for Christ.” All the studies were presented under this theme. For those who were not there, here is a brief synopsis of the specific topics presented:
Bro. Brian Jaksic from Australia presented most of the studies for the convention. We studied deeply the message of 1888. We learned that the message of Christ Our Righteousness has been given to us. We as young people must be the messengers who show this light to the world. In all of our actions and in our characters, we portray whether or not we are the children of God. From the time of the General Conference in Minneapolis in 1888 till today that message has gone forward as found in Revelation 18:1–4. As the end draws nearer, we must make our stand either to follow the Lord and come out of Babylon, or to be partakers of her sins.
Bro. Jaksic also presented the history of the Reform Movement from 1888 onwards. The war question was also studied, and we were shown clearly from the word of God that we can have no part in the military machines of today. The conference was closed with an appeal by Bro. Jaksic that we continue the process of Reform in our lives and move ever closer to our goal of Christian perfection.
The morning topics were presented by the writer. These included the sanctuary message (including Aaron’s rod and the pot of manna), the counsel of the true witness found in Revelation 3:18, and extremism, a study about the differences between principle and preference. Each of these topics was “heavy” as one brother put it. But those present took notes and will hopefully continue studying the same topics at home.
Doctor Dragan Ivanov from Yugoslavia gave a health study. The study was based on the principle that God wants to put us back in the condition we were at creation. In our fallen state we all tend to let our passions and emotions dictate our appetite and fitness. But we must overrule these lower passions to do the will of God. After the study, the young people wrote down questions for the doctor which were answered at the evening meeting. The questions ranged from contact lenses to eating goat cheese and everything in between.
Bro. Kraus from Australia presented a practical study on the needs of the true reformer. The issues of health, dress, and social relations were all covered. Other brethren and young people also presented many worship studies on various topics.
As you can see, the meetings were full of spiritual meat. The days were spent in deep study. When you look at the topics you notice that deep points of our faith were discussed. As the time grows short we no longer have time for baby food. Every opportunity that arise should be spent in getting to know the word of God better.
We thank the brothers and sisters from Hungary, especially the hard working young people and kitchen staff, for their hospitality and Christian kindness. They provided us with food and shelter in abundance.
For those who were at the convention, do continue to study the topics introduced there. The time will come when you will have to explain the message of 1888 and the sanctuary message, as well as many other points of faith. Take the opportunity you have now to study them further.
To those who were not at the convention, ask yourself this: Could I explain the messages listed above to someone who did not know the truth? Would I be able to convince someone of my faith? If not, then start studying now, so that when the next youth convention rolls around, you can be a teacher helping others!