wfn.org | "connecXions99" for Young Adult Adventists

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

February 7, 1999
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Young Adults to Convene at Adventist World 
Headquarters for "connecXions99"

Silver Spring,MD, USA. [ANN/APD] On April 14-17,.
the Seventh-day Adventist World Church Headquarters 
will host the largest Adventist young-adult 
convention, "connecXions99", where more than 800 
young adults will meet to network, strengthen existing 
youth ministries, and formulate new ministries.  

"ConnecXions99 is for young adults, age 20 to 35, who 
are or want to be involved in any form of Christian 
ministry," says Shasta Burr, a conneXions99 co-
ordinator.  "Sometimes we can graduate from college 
and then wonder where our place is in the church.  
That is why connecXions99 co-ordinators are making an 
effort to reach out to young Adventist professionals."

ConnecXions99 comes on the heels of "eXcite98", a 
young adult conference held last August at La Sierra 
University in Riverside California.  Burr, along with 
friend Jennifer Tyner helped co-ordinate eXcite98.  A 
Seminary student at Andrews University, Burr has been 
corresponding with hundreds of young adults, sharing 
with each other incredible stories of faith.

"I truly have a passion in my heart right now for 
where God is leading this generation. More than 1,000 
attended in Riverside and momentum was established for 
another young adult gathering," says Burr.  "Our 
generation shouldn't fall into the trap of complaining 
about the church.  Rather, we want to come together 
and give our talents and dreams to make this church 
even stronger."

Coming together for conneXions99 promises to be an 
outpouring of talents, dreams, and vision for this 
generation of young adults.  Featured activities 
include inspiring presentations from young leaders, 
ministry "brain-storming" sessions, and dialogue with 
North American Division (NAD) Church leaders in 
establishing and co-ordinating new ministries.  A 
conference goal is to raise US$250,000 to be directed 
toward several of the most compelling ministry ideas 
of young adults.

"The goal is to build enthusiasm among participants, 
who will then return to local churches with a shared 
vision for ministry," says Burr.

This enthusiasm to share a "vision for ministry" is 
evident in the mission statement for connecXions99 
which reads: "Young adults connecting, collaborating 
and creating a new generation of ministries to finish 
the job God gave us."

"God is calling our generation forward," says Burr. 
"We are building bridges with our Church in order to 
make positive contributions for God."

Registration for connecXions99 is limited to 800 
people. Registration can be done on the World Wide 
Web at www.conneXions99.com or by calling the U.S. 
phone number 1-800-SDA-PLUS. [99/05/05]