Greetings to all with grace and peace, and may God’s blessings be with each of you—and when you read this article may your heart be full of peace and hope because our God is wonderful and wants to save every one of us!

The topic of this article has great significance for me personally. To work with young people is delightful for me, and I try to do everything possible to be able to see that in our Church, young people are involved in programs and in all church activities. When offered to write on this topic among others on a brief list, I did not need to think twice about choosing this one. Why? Because, perhaps like you, I, too, am the product of a struggle resulting from other people trying to convince me to be part of this wonderful army of young people seeking to take God’s message as far and wide as possible.

It is very important to know where to start and when to start—but for all this you need to be guided by the word of God. The Bible identifies the young as being strong. The apostle Paul says, “I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14). Yes, I also write to you, young people, because you are strong—and that’s why God needs the most beautiful army, the army of the young. But how can we be part of this team? Let me tell you a real story. Actually, it’s my own.

I was born in Romania, in a place far away from the big cities of the country, I could say, in a secluded, pleasant place where nature was closer to us and God was just a step away. In the past, at the time when we were growing up, we had to go on to school to make a future and a profession. I dreamed of being a car mechanic, then I wanted to be a history teacher. After which I thought of being a computer scientist, accountant or pharmacist, so like any other young person I started on a path to obtain knowledge and growth. I invested in my education and wanted to become the best at what I was doing. As time passed, I reached some of the proposed targets and one day I end up employed in a large, multinational company and slowly become one of the best in the area of ​?​?sales. During this time I also managed to finish missionary school, a school that I thought helped me personally, but I figured I would never choose to work in that aspect of ​?​?the church.

Everything was perfect; the colleagues at my job were wonderful, and my regional manager was most helpful and did not give me any problems. I was growing, I was educating the stores and I wanted to become the best in that region. I was attending training classes, spending hours to learn the new sales offers, strategies and everything that was needed. I was a fulfilled young man.

Just at the moment when it seemed that everything was under control, a pastor contacted me to ask me if I would like to officially enter the work of the ministry and help God’s church. I didn’t even want to hear it—answering that I don’t have time and I don’t want to. Some time passed, and that pastor talked to me again and insisted louder, this time telling me:

“Please think about what answer you give me, because you should think of this as being between you and God, considering that God is asking you and you have to answer Him.” Then I was silent.

A week passed while I kept thinking about what to do and then I decided to work for God. After giving this official answer, not longer afterwards I had an accident on the road. Someone in another car came from the opposite direction and hit me head-on—yet I got out of the car without a single scratch. Satan was not happy; he was not happy with my choice; he wanted to destroy me. Ever since I was born he wanted to do this, but God had and still has a plan for me!

So I continued to work for God, going through many trials, but God was on my side. I visited and worked for the church in different countries, seeing the enormous need for young people to be in the work. The Church needs young people for the mission now more than ever. It needs you, dear young people. Don’t go anywhere, stay here, encourage one another to form a strong army in which God’s name will be glorified.

What has the Son of God done for you, dear young person? He left comfort, heavenly places for you to offer salvation and eternal life. I know that maybe you think that you are busy, that you don’t have time and that you shouldn’t do anything for the church—but that the church should do everything for you. Aren’t you still waiting for God to do everything for you and you not do anything for God? Maybe you have never put God to the test; maybe you have never taken the time to stop and talk to Him, saying: “God, I’m here, I need your help! You know my life, you know the struggles I have and you know I don’t want to leave You; You know I want to do something great for You, but I feel like I have no strength, I feel so weak; who am I?”

Never forget that you as a young person are a force for God. You are His right hand in His great work, God needs you as you are, even with your problems and defects; He receives you and is ready to transform you and mold you to His liking. Let God make this transformation in your life and then you will be able to help other young people to be transformed. What God does for you today will change others tomorrow, because you as a young person have a strong influence in your area and then you will do nothing but help others to know Jesus and to talk about Jesus.

My dear, Jesus transforms, Jesus changes, let yourself be changed by Him, and He will transform you into His best soldier. . . . Look at what the inspired writer says in the following lines and I want these thoughts here to motivate you. Let’s read them together:

“The Lord has appointed the youth to be his helping hand.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 64.

“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!”—Education, p. 271.

“The youth have been bought with an infinite price, even the blood of the Son of God. Consider the sacrifice of the Father in permitting his Son to make this sacrifice. Consider what Christ gave up when he left the courts of heaven and the royal throne to give his life a daily sacrifice for men. He suffered reproach and abuse. He bore all the insult and mockery that wicked men could heap upon him. And when his earthly ministry was accomplished, he suffered the death of the cross. Consider his sufferings on the cross,—the nails driven into his hands and feet, the derision and abuse from those he came to save, the hiding of his Father’s face. But it was by all this that Christ made it possible for all who will to have the life that measures with the life of God.”—The Youth’s Instructor, November 21, 1911.

“Let the youth remember that here they are to build characters for eternity, and that God requires them to do their best. Let those older in experience watch over the younger ones; and when they see them tempted, take them aside, and pray with them and for them. The Lord would have us recognize the great sacrifice of Christ for us by showing an interest in the salvation of those He came to save. If the youth will seek Christ, He will make their efforts effectual.—Ibid.

“In order that the work may go forward in all its branches, God calls for youthful vigor, zeal, and courage. He has chosen the youth to aid in the advancement of His cause. To plan with clear mind and execute with courageous hand demands fresh, uncrippled energies. Young men and women are invited to give God the strength of their youth, that through the exercise of their powers, through keen thought and vigorous action, they may bring glory to Him and salvation to their fellowmen.”—Gospel Workers, p. 67.

“God wants the youth to become men of earnest mind, to be prepared for action in His noble work, and fitted to bear responsibilities. God calls for young men with hearts uncorrupted, strong and brave, and determined to fight manfully in the struggle before them, that they may glorify God and bless humanity. If the youth would but make the Bible their study, would but calm their impetuous desires, and listen to the voice of their Creator and Redeemer, they would not only be at peace with God, but would find themselves ennobled and elevated. It will be for your eternal interest, my young friend, to give heed to the instructions in the Word of God, for they are of inestimable importance.”—Messages to Young People, p. 21.

“In this closing work of the gospel there is a vast field to be occupied; and, more than ever before, the work is to enlist helpers from the common people. Both the youth and those older in years will be called from the field, from the vineyard, and from the workshop, and sent forth by the Master to give His message. Many of these have had little opportunity for education; but Christ sees in them qualifications that will enable them to fulfill His purpose. If they put their hearts into the work, and continue to be learners, He will fit them to labor for Him.”—Education, pp. 269, 270.

“Let not the youth be ignored; let them share in the labor and responsibility. Let them feel that they have a part to act in helping and blessing others. Even the children should be taught to do little errands of love and mercy for those less fortunate than themselves.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 435.

There are so many proofs that God needs you, dear young people! He is waiting for you at every moment. Let’s have a personal experience with God; let’s see how God works, let’s wait for His answer in silence and He will surely answer. He will never leave you alone. He asks you today: “Do you want to be part of My team?”

What a special privilege it is to be part of God’s team! This opportunity should never be missed. Invest in yourself, go to missionary schools, open your hearts to be educated and let yourself be guided by God that He may work through you. And at the end, He will be ready to give you that crown that will never fade. Because you, as young people, will have defeated the evil one, offered hope and encouragement to the fallen, helped those who no longer understood where they should go. You were a light for the world.

“Hundreds of young men should have been preparing to act a part in the work of scattering the seeds of truth beside all waters. We want men who will push the triumphs of the cross; men who will persevere under discouragements and privations; who will have the zeal and resolution and faith that are indispensable in the missionary field.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 515.

We need you, we know that together we can make the best team and in the end we can build wonderful experiences with God. These experiences will be unforgettable, because when we are in the kingdom of heaven, we will remember with joy all the progress we have made. Choose heaven, choose mission, choose salvation—and God will give you all these things for FREE!

Dear young person, we love and appreciate you as you are; we know that you have special talents and you are very energetic. Maybe you play an instrument, or you are a good computer scientist, a good doctor, or a good professor. We need you, because the profession you have is the most appropriate to use here in the Church for the growth and development of the work.

Don’t forget that you are very special and God is with you. We need you now more than ever!

God bless you!