While others were packing their bags, purchasing their tickets, and boarding their flights for the long weekend and mid-term break, the Cayman Islands Conference youths were setting sail to the island’s northern side for Youth Congress 2024. They celebrated the entire weekend Rated R: Resilient, Refocused, Reconnected – refilling their spiritual tanks with author, motivational speaker, and pastor Jermaine Johnson from the North Jamaica Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, Jamaica.
Youths could be heard echoing “That is it, Right deh so” from Friday night’s service titled -“This is so Lit” as Pastor Johnson extrapolated the story of the lost coin, lost sheep, and the prodigal son. The message went all across the Northside Civic Centre that as youths, Satan will entertain you with fame and bling, bring you to shame, and leave you in flames; hence, it is important to remember the creator in the days of your youth while all limps and faculty of the human mind and body is in tack.
The curtains of the night were drawn down, and youths and adults were reminded that having Jesus is all that matters, and the night’s service was just the appetizer for Sabbath morning.
As was foretold, Sabbath morning beamed, and the youths were engaged in small groups dealing with what it takes to bounce back, adjust the lens, and reconvene with God as they manoeuvre life’s difficulties. The sabbath school ended with little over one hundred people eagerly waiting to hear about “The Youths on Spiritual Life Support”; surprisingly, by the end of Divine Worship, the event had over three hundred people, leaving the planning committee scrambling for chairs and food to accommodate everyone.
Spiritual cups turned up, critiques awaiting to criticize, and Murphy, of course, was waiting to show; nevertheless, despite all this, the youths were fed. Their lives were once again reignited with hope, resilience, and true purpose as they were reminded that although they might have requested their inheritance and left home, and squandered all their valuables – the father is awaiting their return to kill the fatted calf.
The Rated R weekend ended on Sunday, October 20th, 2024, with Pastor Johnson in a rap session where potent and practical conversations were had on “relationship, responsibility, and repercussion”- as the youths were refocused on their “identity, indemnity, integrity, maker, mandate and mate”.
This entire experience left Director Merle Watkins, the Cayman Islands Conference Youth Ministries Director, in awe. When asked to share her thoughts, she had this to say: “Oh my goodness! I am extremely happy… the energy… the vibe…oh my god! It was a joy to see the young people. I am lost for words… “I never doubted that the young people love Jesus and so this weekend solidified that the future of the church is in good hands.”
“I see myself along with my team planning a youth revival in the coming year -2025 with the said pastor – Jermaine Johnson who was recommended through my sister who helped to birth this program- Youth Congress.”
Her vision is for this to become an annual program as she believes the young people need the Lord and programs of this magnitude.
When we caught up with some of the young people, they had this to say:
The event was “Inspiring… It was a blast…It was fun… It was phenomenal… It was rich… It was a life-changing experience… It was wiggy wiggy wiggy all over the place.”
The overcast Sunday evening culminated with a closing service titled “Hold on Donkey” on the football field at Cayman Academy as the youths were charged to be free, get Jesus-their rider, and never forget that it’s not about you when walking on the “red carpet, but it is about Jesus.
The message for the entire weekend for juniors and seniors is to hold on, be resilient, refocused, and stay connected as Jesus continues to prepare a place for you: until he comes to take you home to ride out the new Jerusalem.
Hats off to all the young people who participated in Youth Congress 2024 – gear up for the next big event: Youth Olympics on November 10 and 10k Run/Walk on November 24, 2024. Prepare to be there!
Cayman Islands | Written by: Petellee Jones, Editor: Devarro Whittaker | Photo Credit: David Smith
