In Peru, 10,000 Young People Prepare to Volunteer Abroad

Thousands of young Seventh-day Adventists met August 30 to September 3 for the “Beyond the Mountain” Youth Camp in the San Pedro de Ancón Zonal Park in Lima, Peru. The event was organized by the Youth Ministries Department of the Adventist Church’s South Peru Union Mission.

The training event sought to prepare thousands of young people to be missionaries wherever God calls them: in their city, their country, or abroad. More than 10,000 young people hailing from the coast, the mountains, and the jungle regions of southern Peru attended.

Participants received special training for evangelism mission through seminars, national and international Adventist volunteer programs, and the presentation of the “28 Jewels of Adventist Youth” Bible study guide, organizers said. At the same time, young people enjoyed entertainment options in a large venue that includes a large pool, ecological areas, cafeterias, a market, and other amenities.

The camp days also featured live concerts by several musical groups, including Zimrah (from Argentina), Dulce Alabanza (from Colombia), and several Peruvian singers. Drama performances highlighted and shared biblical messages.

The evening keynote speaker was Nuevo Tiempo evangelist Joel Flores. North Brazil Union Mission youth director Sósthenes Andrade and Eduardo Lucas, a pastor who is a missionary in India, led some of the seminars offered.

Meaningful Ceremonies

During the camp, regional church leaders attended the launch of the 2024 Caleb Mission initiative. The program enlists Adventist young people from eight South American countries, training them and inviting them to spend part of their summer or winter vacations serving in a place of great need. “During the launch ceremony, thousands of young people in southern Peru showed great excitement about the prospects,” organizers said.

At the same time, 190 pastors, church administrators, and young adults were invested as new Adventist Youth leaders under the guiding theme, “Salvation and Service.” Also, 176 young people enrolled in the South American Division’s Adventist Volunteer Service initiative, and another 192 registered for the One Year in Mission program, regional church leaders reported. Hundreds more registered for several other outreach and mission initiatives in Peru and beyond, leaders said.

The day of high emotions was crowned by a baptismal ceremony, in which 304 people decided to bear public witness of their faith. The new members were welcomed with great joy, leaders from the South Peru Union Mission reported. “We want to keep leading thousands of young people and also adult members into prayer and missionary action,” leaders said. “It is our goal to keep sharing the gospel, always working together and connected.”The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Spanish-language news site