From August 22–26, the Spanish Mission held its Youth Congress in the majestic Sierra Nevada, a wonderful mountain region about 2500 m high, outside of the city of Granada. Young people gathered from Germany, Italy, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Ukraine and the United States. The presentations dealt with practical godliness under the convention theme of “Life on the Wings of Eagles.” The key text of the Congress was Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Speakers for the convention included Brother Liviu Popa (Spanish Mission Youth Leader), Pascal (Spanish Mission Treasurer), Marin Barbu (European Regional Secretary), Radu Ionita (GC Youth Leader) and David Zic (GC Sabbath School Secretary), as well as many others. Among the musical items presented was the praise offered by the Madrid Church Choir and the European Youth Choir.

The weather was splendid for this convention. On Friday the whole group took a 14 km uphill outing, up to the 3400 m. high top of the mountain. There, while delighting in the monumental landscape, was time for sharing experiences, singing, and for better understanding what it is meant by true greatness.

According to the testimony of the youth from the Spanish Mission, this was the greatest event experienced in their country and they really enjoyed it, and thanked the Lord who made it possible. They promised it would be followed by similar events in the future. As a sign of welcome to the next Convention, the Madrid Choir was singing outside, Sunday afternoon, while the brethren were departing. Traveling down the Sierra Nevada mountains, everybody was keeping the goal, which was fitting not only for them in Spain, but for all of us: To live a life of faith, of courage, as on the wings of eagles, and nothing less!