“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
With God’s help, the church in London had a youth retreat on Sabbath, June 22, 2013, where, just as Paul advises us to give thanks, we did so at this occasion. I am very happy to see that God listened to our prayers and worked everything out in bringing the youth from around the GTA together to London.
We spent the morning at the church, studying our Sabbath School Lessons, with Sister Esther Garcia teaching the review lesson and Brother Leo Chiatto, the new lesson. Afterwards we were blessed by the Lord in the divine service with a message entitled, “God’s Calling For You.” (Isaiah 6:8). After lunch we went into nature to a beautiful place called “Longwoods Road Conservation Area,” where we studied from the inspired book “Messages to Young People,” by Ellen G. White. Brother Eric Song was the coordinator of this program and I praise the Lord it was indeed a blessing for those people who attended. In this program God was glorified through songs and experiences and study.
Sister Emelina and Brother Leo led us in the study, “A Call to the Youth,” encouraging us to consecrate ourselves to God daily, searching the Scriptures. Life without Christ makes no sense, therefore we have been blessed by the Lord with the opportunity to grow and share our spiritual life with other people around us. There are so many things we can be thankful for; just look around and see all the blessings of the Lord.
Brother Adrian Lowe spoke on “The Youth Called to be Labourers.” He talked about the benefits of working for the Lord in a very practical way. Two groups had a discussion for several minutes about the blessings that come from working both spiritually and physically for the Lord. A very interesting discussion derived from that. Everything we have in life is given from above to sustain us and to keep us, and to share God’s precious love. Blessings come in different ways and sometimes can be missed, so thank the Lord who gave them, and for all that He is.
Brother Eric led us in “Acceptable Service.” He talked about the privileges and blessings we have in this country, for there is much that we can be thankful for—the blessings of God in our lives, the people that God has blessed us with, and the hope that we have in Christ.
I just want to thank all of you who participated in the program and also those of you who came from near and far with the unique purpose of worshipping God and encouraging one another. I want to say how precious our youth are and what a blessing for the Canadian Field to have such powerful young people, with wonderful talents that God has blessed them with. I want to encourage them to put their talents to work in God’s vineyard. Jesus said in Luke 10:2, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few.”
My dear brother, my dear sister, go forth with these gifts and use them for God’s glory and mankind’s salvation because Jesus is soon to come. In the last chapter of Revelation Jesus mentioned His coming three times—and He is saying, “Behold, I come quickly.”
May God richly bless us as we do His will, is my wish and prayer. Amen!
Nicholas Anca
London, Ontario