Gathering in Colorado connects hundreds of young people of Indonesian origin.
Published on: 07-25-2024
The first-ever Adventist Indonesian Youth & Young Adult Ministries Convention, or AIYMCON, was held at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, United States, July 10-14.
AIYMCON was started by a group of Seventh-day Adventist Indonesian youth leaders, pastors, and young adults from different regions of the United States, which also include several Campion Academy and Mile High Academy alumni. It was started because a few Indonesian youth and young adults were devoted to reach, unite, and support the Adventist Indonesian community and empower its next generation.
One participant remarked, “I experienced a unity that I’ve never experienced before in the Indo community. Nobody knew what to expect, but everyone left feeling blessed someway, somehow. I knew a handful of people who felt revived and were brought to tears because they didn’t think the Indo community was right for them anymore.”
“My goal is to tear down that wall for those who feel that way now, and hopefully to prevent it for future generations to come,” another one said. “The Holy Spirit was in every detail.”
The convention boasted 250 registrants and 800 people present for the program’s Saturday (Sabbath) morning service. The attendees included Indonesian youth and young adults from Colorado, California, Washington, New Jersey, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. It held seminars on mental health and marriage, youth-led worship services, sermons from pastors of the Indonesian community, small group activities, a career fair, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
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Executive committee, from left to right: Derwin Suyatno, Logistics Lead; Steve Suinda, secretary; and Xander Assa, president. [Photo: courtesy of Xander Assa] -
Adventist Indonesian Youth & Young Adult Ministries Convention leadership team. [Photo: courtesy of Xander Assa] -
Xander Assa (right) baptizes one of the candidates. [Photo: courtesy of Xander Assa] -
Last day group photo. [Photo: courtesy of Xander Assa] -
Sabbath service group photo. [Photo: courtesy of Xander Assa] -
Closing message by Jayden Anggormas. [Photo: courtesy of Xander Assa]
“AIYMCON was a statement of unity for the Adventist Indonesian community,” Xander Assa, pastor and co-creator of the convention, said. “As a result, three people made decisions for baptism, and two made decisions to enter into pastoral ministry.”
“Many friendships were made between attendees from different states,” Assa added, “and a spiritual revival was experienced amongst the youth and young adults. AIYMCON marks a groundbreaking shift towards unity in the Adventist Indonesian community.”
“It was great seeing all of the Indonesian youth and young adults praising Jesus,” said Mickey Mallory, Rocky Mountain Conference Ministerial director. “Kudos to Pastor Xander and his team for making this happen. The huge turnout showed how much youth and young adults are hungering for these kinds of opportunities to come together in worship and fellowship.”
Founded in 1907, Campion Academy is a Seventh-day Adventist Christian boarding high school in Loveland, Colorado, that empowers students to grow their faith, expand their minds, and serve their world. Campion offers excellent academics, music, sports, art, an array of elective courses, dual credit courses, an Outdoor Club to explore the Rocky Mountains, and an English Language Learning Program.
The original version of this story was posted on the Rocky Mountain Conference news site.
Rocky Mountain Conference News, and Adventist Review
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