Alive Youth started as a conversation after a Pathfinder Bible Experience. Anthony Rudalf and Sixto Ramos were inspired to do something for the youth and young adults in the Iowa-Missouri Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, something beyond Pathfinders, something that will keep our youth and young adults inspired to not just stay in church, but be active members, inspiring others, and sharing Jesus with their friends.

The mission of Alive Youth is to provide a space where youth and young adults feel comfortable and safe sharing their beliefs, asking for guidance, and gaining the confidence and support needed to take that back to their local communities, creating a similar environment.

Our first event was held Sept 13-15, 2024, at Crowder State Park in Trenton, MO—91 people attended on Saturday. Chaplain Mack Vendome led the attendees in a spirit-filled weekend encouraging them to examine their faith, determine what it means to them, and how to share it with those around them.

One participant in their 30s came to us after the program Saturday night, almost in tears, and talked about how they had never seen anything like this within the Adventist Church before and how it may have kept them in the church when they were younger. Other participants talked about the weekend, expressing feelings of joy, of appreciation for the opportunity to gather with other youth and young adults, to make friends, and to share their faith in a safe place.

We have established a committee of youth and young adults who have demonstrated leadership qualities. This group is currently planning the next events. One will take place in Kansas City, January 3-5, 2025, and the other on September 12-14, 2025. For these events to happen and to keep costs affordable for our attendees, we need your help. Each participant pays enough to cover the cost of food and swag from the event; all money raised goes towards covering the event space, the speaker, equipment, and activities. Your donations will provide an experience for youth and young adults that will enable them to share a passion for Christ with their local communities and inspire others to ignite that passion in their own local churches.

If you would like to see this program continue and grow, please donate to Alive Youth.