Arkadelphia Church Launches Monthly Youth Sabbaths

ARKADELPHIA, ARK. – The Arkadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church launched a monthly Youth Sabbath initiative this year to intentionally invest in its Pathfinder- and Adventurer-age members. The congregation’s first Youth Sabbath was held Feb. 7, with young people leading the full worship service at the bilingual church.

The Arkadelphia church, which worships in both English and Spanish, regularly holds bilingual Sabbaths in which messages are translated so both language groups can worship together as one body. Leaders said the new Youth Sabbath structure strengthens that shared identity while giving young people meaningful responsibility in the divine service.

Beginning this year, one Sabbath each month is designated as Youth Sabbath. The church follows a three-part rotation: Pathfinder-age youth lead one Sabbath, Adventurer-age children lead another and adults conduct a youth-focused service on a third, with the cycle repeating quarterly.

During the church’s first Youth Sabbath of the year, young people led every aspect of the service, from Scripture reading and special music to the children’s story and the sermon. With guidance from supportive adults, they carried the entire divine service. The sermon was delivered by Josue Urbina and translated by Itzel Jaimes. Preaching about Joshua, his favorite Bible character, Josue reminded the congregation that God doesn’t choose based on age or experience; He chooses those who are willing to follow Him.

“No matter the age,” he shared, “God is willing to use even kids like us to do great things.”

There was something powerful about seeing young people stand behind the pulpit, take ownership of worship and proclaim the Word of God. It reminded us that the youth are not simply the church of tomorrow—they are the church of today.

Our goal is not simply to give children something to do. Our goal is to show them that they belong here, that they matter and that their voices carry weight in God’s kingdom. This is one way we are choosing to invest in the next generation.

When young people are given the opportunity, they rise to the challenge. Create space. Give responsibility. Trust your young people. Train them. Guide them. Then step back and watch what God will do through them.

By Marcos Cruz-ArellanoPastor