Stay tuned to meet the president of... 00:00:01.36\00:00:03.77 Well, you'll have to stay tuned to find out. 00:00:03.80\00:00:06.00 My name is Jason Bradley, 00:00:06.03\00:00:07.40 and you're watching Urban Report. 00:00:07.44\00:00:09.54 Hello, and welcome to Urban Report. 00:00:32.69\00:00:34.86 My guest today is Pastor Moise Ratsara, 00:00:34.90\00:00:37.47 and he is a pastor in the Michigan Conference, 00:00:37.50\00:00:40.47 as well as the president of GYC. 00:00:40.50\00:00:43.74 Welcome to Urban Report, Pastor Moise. 00:00:43.77\00:00:46.17 Thank you so much, Jason. 00:00:46.21\00:00:47.54 It's great to have you here. 00:00:47.58\00:00:48.91 This is the first time 00:00:48.94\00:00:50.28 that you've been on Urban Report 00:00:50.31\00:00:51.95 or a Dare to Dream program. 00:00:51.98\00:00:54.38 Isn't that true? That's very true. 00:00:54.42\00:00:55.98 And it's a great privilege to be here. 00:00:56.02\00:00:58.35 And looking forward to what the Lord will do. 00:00:58.39\00:01:00.29 Amen. Amen. 00:01:00.32\00:01:01.66 Oh, it's great to have you here. 00:01:01.69\00:01:03.02 I absolutely love GYC. 00:01:03.06\00:01:06.19 And I want to get into what GYC stands for, 00:01:06.23\00:01:10.47 you know, what it is, what its mission is, 00:01:10.50\00:01:12.93 and all of those things. 00:01:12.97\00:01:14.30 But first, I want to introduce you to our viewers. 00:01:14.34\00:01:17.01 Tell us a little bit about your background? 00:01:17.04\00:01:18.57 Yes. 00:01:18.61\00:01:19.94 So, well, my background is very complicated, 00:01:19.97\00:01:24.25 complicated in the sense that I was born in Madagascar. 00:01:24.28\00:01:27.98 Okay. 00:01:28.02\00:01:29.35 My mother is from the island of Mauritius. 00:01:29.38\00:01:31.55 Okay. 00:01:31.59\00:01:32.92 My roots are actually from Indonesia and India. 00:01:32.95\00:01:37.03 And, so, I was born in Madagascar, 00:01:37.06\00:01:39.66 and my parents decided to become missionaries 00:01:39.69\00:01:42.76 throughout the continent of Africa. 00:01:42.80\00:01:46.30 So, I grew up as a missionary kid. 00:01:46.33\00:01:50.54 I've lived in about 11 countries. 00:01:50.57\00:01:54.04 And for almost 15 years of my life, 00:01:54.08\00:01:58.18 most of that has been running from war, relocating. 00:01:58.21\00:02:02.65 Wow. 00:02:02.68\00:02:04.02 Throughout my life, 00:02:04.05\00:02:05.39 we've been through three major wars, 00:02:05.42\00:02:07.02 and several other minor wars around, 00:02:07.06\00:02:09.56 but that was my background. 00:02:09.59\00:02:11.53 I went to a boarding school in Kenya called Maxwell. 00:02:11.56\00:02:15.60 And from Maxwell, I went to Southern, 00:02:15.63\00:02:19.87 in the United States, in Tennessee, 00:02:19.90\00:02:22.77 and studied theology and then went to Michigan. 00:02:22.80\00:02:25.61 So, that's a little bit of my background. 00:02:25.64\00:02:27.34 Nice, nice. Yeah. 00:02:27.38\00:02:28.71 You lived in 11 countries? 00:02:28.74\00:02:30.38 Yes, 11 countries. 00:02:30.41\00:02:32.48 What was going through your mind as a kid, 00:02:32.51\00:02:34.42 when you were dealing with those wars? 00:02:34.45\00:02:37.49 So, 00:02:37.52\00:02:40.79 you know, I remember the first war was... 00:02:40.82\00:02:46.53 The first war was quite a while back, 00:02:46.56\00:02:49.96 I think I was four years old. 00:02:50.00\00:02:51.33 Okay. 00:02:51.37\00:02:53.07 And I remember my parents saying, 00:02:53.10\00:02:54.90 "Well, you know, you're going to the mission field, 00:02:54.94\00:02:57.14 we're going to the mission field 00:02:57.17\00:02:58.51 for the Lord's work." 00:02:58.54\00:03:00.18 And, going through all those wars, actually, 00:03:00.21\00:03:03.85 for a part of that experience, I thought, 00:03:03.88\00:03:07.25 I was angry against God to be honest. 00:03:07.28\00:03:10.79 Because I was wondering, 00:03:10.82\00:03:12.62 why are we going through all this sacrifice 00:03:12.65\00:03:16.39 for to be missionaries? 00:03:16.42\00:03:19.19 But I hadn't understood the gospel, 00:03:19.23\00:03:21.70 the full gospel and how Jesus had died for me. 00:03:21.73\00:03:26.07 And that I had to do this not out of duty, 00:03:26.10\00:03:31.24 but out of love for Him. 00:03:31.27\00:03:33.24 So as a young child, I had a lot of anger, 00:03:33.27\00:03:37.88 but the more I grew up, the more I learned about 00:03:37.91\00:03:41.65 the love of God and the Bible. 00:03:41.68\00:03:44.49 I had a 360 and I, it broke me down 00:03:44.52\00:03:48.16 and I said my entire life, I want to become a missionary. 00:03:48.19\00:03:50.96 Wow. So... 00:03:50.99\00:03:52.93 So that's a little bit of the experience 00:03:52.96\00:03:55.43 that I went through, 00:03:55.46\00:03:56.80 and I dedicated myself to the Lord. 00:03:56.83\00:03:59.53 And believe it or not, I mean, 00:03:59.57\00:04:01.44 I see myself as a missionary 00:04:01.47\00:04:03.20 from, you know, to America, because, you know, 00:04:03.24\00:04:08.68 I come from the continent of Africa. 00:04:08.71\00:04:10.38 So I, and I've been here ever since. 00:04:10.41\00:04:12.48 I even married a local, an American and, you know, 00:04:12.51\00:04:16.32 I have taken this as my mission field. 00:04:16.35\00:04:18.89 Wow. 00:04:18.92\00:04:20.26 Okay, well, we definitely need missionaries here in America. 00:04:20.29\00:04:24.39 This gospel has to go out, you know. 00:04:24.43\00:04:26.66 I know, we oftentimes talk about around the world. 00:04:26.70\00:04:29.56 Yeah. 00:04:29.60\00:04:30.93 But we got to start at home too. 00:04:30.97\00:04:32.60 You know, some of our neighbors don't know about Christ. 00:04:32.63\00:04:34.54 Oh, yeah. 00:04:34.57\00:04:35.90 I mean, Jason, just, you know, 00:04:35.94\00:04:40.24 when we had GYC, Houston. 00:04:40.28\00:04:43.68 In, for example, the city of Houston, 00:04:43.71\00:04:46.38 at suppertime, every household speaks a different language. 00:04:46.41\00:04:50.75 They have thousands of groups 00:04:50.79\00:04:53.15 in Houston that you cannot reach, 00:04:53.19\00:04:56.56 so to speak, they're in areas that are either, 00:04:56.59\00:04:59.16 they have religious persecution, 00:04:59.19\00:05:01.30 or different things like that going on, 00:05:01.33\00:05:03.67 but they are there in the thousands in Houston. 00:05:03.70\00:05:06.63 And most of them 00:05:06.67\00:05:08.14 don't even know about Jesus and the gospel, 00:05:08.17\00:05:10.91 and the Advent message. 00:05:10.94\00:05:12.31 Yeah. 00:05:12.34\00:05:13.68 So we talk a lot about going overseas which, 00:05:13.71\00:05:16.81 for most of my life that's what I did, 00:05:16.85\00:05:18.91 and that's very important. 00:05:18.95\00:05:21.38 But we have a massive mission field here in America. 00:05:21.42\00:05:25.25 Yes. 00:05:25.29\00:05:26.62 And so, we need a lot of missionaries here. 00:05:26.65\00:05:30.06 Absolutely. Yeah. 00:05:30.09\00:05:31.43 Absolutely. 00:05:31.46\00:05:32.79 What is GYC stand for? 00:05:32.83\00:05:35.30 GYC stands for Generation, Youth, Christ. 00:05:35.33\00:05:40.07 And it stands for the belief 00:05:40.10\00:05:43.64 that young people can hasten the Lord's coming 00:05:43.67\00:05:46.88 through the help of the Holy Spirit. 00:05:46.91\00:05:49.08 That if we have a definite aim of winning souls for Jesus 00:05:49.11\00:05:53.75 that young people can take 00:05:53.78\00:05:55.42 sacrificial initiative for Christ 00:05:55.45\00:05:57.92 and expand His kingdom. 00:05:57.95\00:05:59.29 That's the idea behind GYC. 00:05:59.32\00:06:01.56 That's why it says Generation, Youth, Christ. 00:06:01.59\00:06:04.26 Nice. 00:06:04.29\00:06:05.63 You know, I've been to several of those conferences. 00:06:05.66\00:06:08.76 I've even been to some different chapters of GYC. 00:06:08.80\00:06:12.33 Amen. 00:06:12.37\00:06:13.70 And I got to tell you, like, I love going to GYC 00:06:13.74\00:06:17.84 because one of the things that I see 00:06:17.87\00:06:21.11 at those conventions or at those conferences 00:06:21.14\00:06:23.75 are young people on fire for Christ. 00:06:23.78\00:06:25.11 Amen. 00:06:25.15\00:06:26.48 So many times you hear people asking, 00:06:26.51\00:06:27.95 well, where are the young people? 00:06:27.98\00:06:29.48 Where are the young people in the church? 00:06:29.52\00:06:32.39 What can you say towards that? 00:06:32.42\00:06:34.52 Where are the young people? 00:06:34.56\00:06:36.12 Well, you know, they, the young people of the church, 00:06:36.16\00:06:40.56 a good group of them come to GYC. 00:06:40.60\00:06:44.60 But there's about 60 plus percent 00:06:44.63\00:06:47.30 who go to different universities 00:06:47.34\00:06:49.57 or different things that leave the church. 00:06:49.60\00:06:52.77 So they, they're two groups of young people, 00:06:52.81\00:06:55.98 those that are very committed. 00:06:56.01\00:06:57.91 And we as GYC are trying to reach 00:06:57.95\00:07:00.42 those who are not as committed. 00:07:00.45\00:07:02.08 Got you. 00:07:02.12\00:07:03.45 But they're young people who want to get involved, 00:07:03.49\00:07:06.35 who love the advent message 00:07:06.39\00:07:08.09 and who do not want to be entertained, 00:07:08.12\00:07:09.99 they want to be challenged. 00:07:10.03\00:07:12.29 Young people that come to GYC 00:07:12.33\00:07:14.43 are there because they want to be challenged. 00:07:14.46\00:07:16.73 And I believe that as a church, 00:07:16.77\00:07:18.60 if we challenge young people with service, 00:07:18.63\00:07:22.74 doing something bigger than themselves, 00:07:22.77\00:07:25.11 we'll find them all around. 00:07:25.14\00:07:26.74 Yes. 00:07:26.78\00:07:28.11 We don't want to be entertained. 00:07:28.14\00:07:29.48 Jason. We want the Word of God. 00:07:29.51\00:07:31.65 We want truth. 00:07:31.68\00:07:33.11 We want something we're ready to die for, 00:07:33.15\00:07:36.28 because we have the one who died for us. 00:07:36.32\00:07:38.49 Amen, amen. 00:07:38.52\00:07:39.85 When people ask me 00:07:39.89\00:07:41.22 where the young people are in the church, 00:07:41.26\00:07:42.62 I just tell them, they're at GYC. 00:07:42.66\00:07:44.33 Make sure you go. Amen. 00:07:44.36\00:07:45.99 And you'll see the young people there for sure. 00:07:46.03\00:07:49.26 Amen. 00:07:49.30\00:07:50.73 What made you want to become a pastor? 00:07:50.77\00:07:53.50 Yeah. 00:07:53.54\00:07:55.14 So going back to my war time, 00:07:55.17\00:07:56.97 going through war as a young boy, 00:07:57.01\00:07:59.94 when I was eight years old that the war was so bad. 00:07:59.97\00:08:03.08 And it was called Zaire, called Zaire at the time, 00:08:03.11\00:08:06.15 Central Africa. 00:08:06.18\00:08:08.05 And it was so bad, people were dying 00:08:08.08\00:08:10.45 left and right, all around me. 00:08:10.49\00:08:12.82 And it was a very selfish prayer. 00:08:12.85\00:08:14.99 But the prayer was... 00:08:15.02\00:08:16.36 I said, "Lord, I don't want to die. 00:08:16.39\00:08:19.36 But if you save my family and I, 00:08:19.39\00:08:22.26 I'm going to dedicate my entire life to you. 00:08:22.30\00:08:25.30 I don't know how, but this is my covenant 00:08:25.33\00:08:28.00 I'm making with you at the age of eight." 00:08:28.04\00:08:30.37 As I told you before, after that prayer, 00:08:30.41\00:08:33.11 I still had some anger in me. 00:08:33.14\00:08:36.14 You know, because of the war and all the suffering, 00:08:36.18\00:08:38.81 but I never forgot that prayer. 00:08:38.85\00:08:41.55 And when I went to Southern, you know, 00:08:41.58\00:08:44.85 well, my senior year of high school, 00:08:44.89\00:08:47.29 my father asked me, 00:08:47.32\00:08:48.79 "Where do you want to go to school?" 00:08:48.82\00:08:50.46 And I said, "Well, I made a covenant with the Lord 00:08:50.49\00:08:52.89 when I was eight. 00:08:52.93\00:08:54.33 So I want to go to a good school 00:08:54.36\00:08:56.56 that teaches good theology." 00:08:56.60\00:08:58.43 So I went to Southern, 00:08:58.47\00:09:01.20 and I kept my word to the Lord. 00:09:01.24\00:09:06.51 And through that commitment, 00:09:06.54\00:09:09.24 I realize why I wanted to become a pastor, 00:09:09.28\00:09:12.78 because that is where I saw the grace of God 00:09:12.81\00:09:15.48 being unfolded like nothing else. 00:09:15.52\00:09:19.59 And I felt it was my life calling, 00:09:19.62\00:09:21.16 was something that was worth dying for. 00:09:21.19\00:09:24.06 And that was to give all of my life, 00:09:24.09\00:09:26.53 my time, my energy, my youth 00:09:26.56\00:09:30.43 to the work of the Lord, full time. 00:09:30.47\00:09:33.47 Amen. Now you're a young guy. 00:09:33.50\00:09:36.00 Yes. 00:09:36.04\00:09:38.14 Do you ever find yourself in a challenging situation 00:09:38.17\00:09:42.18 where, let's say you may have a member 00:09:42.21\00:09:44.28 that's experiencing a problem, 00:09:44.31\00:09:45.81 but that member is older than you? 00:09:45.85\00:09:48.48 What happens there? 00:09:48.52\00:09:49.85 Yeah, so well, the Bible tells us, 00:09:49.88\00:09:51.69 "Don't let anybody despise your youth." 00:09:51.72\00:09:54.36 So I've used that a lot, I tell you so. 00:09:54.39\00:09:57.46 But it also says, with firm teaching. 00:09:57.49\00:10:02.40 In other words, you must know the Bible, as a young person. 00:10:02.43\00:10:05.77 I've faced a lot of complex situation 00:10:05.80\00:10:09.70 in my time pastoring, 00:10:09.74\00:10:12.87 I started in my very early 20s. 00:10:12.91\00:10:16.68 Now, I'm almost about to be my 30s. 00:10:16.71\00:10:19.45 Okay. 00:10:19.48\00:10:21.32 If you look close enough, you'll see white hair 00:10:21.35\00:10:23.62 starting to grow around my head and stuff, but you know, 00:10:23.65\00:10:28.12 I've faced a lot of different challenging situations. 00:10:28.16\00:10:31.16 And sometimes, as a young person, 00:10:31.19\00:10:33.26 you have a lot of zeal. 00:10:33.29\00:10:35.46 But listening to wisdom can be very hard at times, 00:10:35.50\00:10:38.87 because you think you could just fix it. 00:10:38.90\00:10:42.04 But I've humbled myself, and I've accepted, you know, 00:10:42.07\00:10:47.28 the instruction of the Lord and those he placed around me. 00:10:47.31\00:10:50.75 And that has helped me a lot. 00:10:50.78\00:10:53.21 And it has helped me win respect 00:10:53.25\00:10:55.38 among the older people, the more experienced people, 00:10:55.42\00:10:58.92 because they see this gentleman 00:10:58.95\00:11:01.72 really wants to do the right thing for the Lord. 00:11:01.76\00:11:04.06 Amen. Yeah. 00:11:04.09\00:11:05.43 And you're relying on the Word of God. 00:11:05.46\00:11:07.50 Yes. So that, yeah. 00:11:07.53\00:11:09.30 I mean, you can't argue with that. 00:11:09.33\00:11:10.97 I mean, you have to know the Word of God, 00:11:11.00\00:11:13.23 especially when you're young, like I am, 00:11:13.27\00:11:16.94 is you have to know the Bible, 00:11:16.97\00:11:20.11 because as a young person 00:11:20.14\00:11:21.91 you need a lot of moral guidance. 00:11:21.94\00:11:24.98 To make good choices, 00:11:25.01\00:11:26.78 you need the Bible to inspire you, 00:11:26.82\00:11:30.05 because at times, reality can be very discouraging 00:11:30.09\00:11:33.79 for a young person. 00:11:33.82\00:11:35.89 You know, most of my friends that I went to college with, 00:11:35.92\00:11:40.20 most of them are not in the church anymore. 00:11:40.23\00:11:44.70 And most of them left, 00:11:44.73\00:11:47.04 either because they were turned off about something, 00:11:47.07\00:11:49.70 or they didn't have a good community, 00:11:49.74\00:11:52.04 or they were just wandering, 00:11:52.07\00:11:54.41 and the Word of God has helped me stay focused 00:11:54.44\00:11:57.98 on what is most important and give me a moral guidance. 00:11:58.01\00:12:02.92 And that's why it's so important, Jason. 00:12:02.95\00:12:04.75 Amen. Yeah. 00:12:04.79\00:12:06.29 Yeah, I want to transition back into the GYC Conference. 00:12:06.32\00:12:11.39 Tell us what we can expect if we go to a GYC Conference? 00:12:11.43\00:12:16.63 So, the first thing you can expect 00:12:16.67\00:12:19.90 from a GYC Conference is that 00:12:19.93\00:12:21.90 by God's grace, the Bible is going to be preached. 00:12:21.94\00:12:25.74 You're not going to hear, what we might call it, 00:12:25.77\00:12:28.31 Mary had a little lamb sermon. 00:12:28.34\00:12:30.98 Not a lot of fluff. No, no, no, we... 00:12:31.01\00:12:33.08 Okay, good. 00:12:33.11\00:12:34.45 We want the Bible to answer real questions 00:12:34.48\00:12:37.22 that young people are dealing with. 00:12:37.25\00:12:39.15 So it's going to be, when you go to GYC, 00:12:39.19\00:12:41.76 expect to be challenged. 00:12:41.79\00:12:44.13 We will talk about everything that the Bible deals 00:12:44.16\00:12:48.50 with which is everything, sexuality, relationships, 00:12:48.53\00:12:54.07 finances, leadership, 00:12:54.10\00:12:57.71 music, social issues, 00:12:57.74\00:13:02.41 all of that spectrum, we try to address it 00:13:02.44\00:13:06.25 because the Bible addresses all of them. 00:13:06.28\00:13:08.45 So that's number one, you will hear by God's grace, 00:13:08.48\00:13:11.02 the Bible being preached. 00:13:11.05\00:13:12.39 Number two, the music. 00:13:12.42\00:13:13.76 Yes. 00:13:13.79\00:13:15.12 Expect to hear heavenly music. 00:13:15.16\00:13:17.13 We have a... 00:13:17.16\00:13:18.59 We have a goal as GYC is to not have performers up there, 00:13:18.63\00:13:22.33 but people who sing 00:13:22.36\00:13:23.70 out of a deep commitment to the Lord. 00:13:23.73\00:13:26.84 And so, expect good godly music 00:13:26.87\00:13:29.37 that will be uplifting and encouraging. 00:13:29.40\00:13:32.71 Number two, expect... 00:13:32.74\00:13:34.08 Well, number three, expect a good community. 00:13:34.11\00:13:37.41 You know, as a young person, 00:13:37.45\00:13:38.78 you need to have that community. 00:13:38.81\00:13:41.68 To make it through life, you need that support system, 00:13:41.72\00:13:44.85 and at GYC you can find that by God's grace. 00:13:44.89\00:13:47.92 You might be introverted, you might be very extroverted, 00:13:47.96\00:13:51.26 but make an effort to open up yourself. 00:13:51.29\00:13:55.16 And be open-minded to meeting people 00:13:55.20\00:13:57.77 who have the same core values as you. 00:13:57.80\00:14:00.74 So that's number three. 00:14:00.77\00:14:02.10 I would say number four is, 00:14:02.14\00:14:05.27 expect to go on outreach. 00:14:05.31\00:14:08.21 So expect to be challenged to go on missions. 00:14:08.24\00:14:12.05 Every GYC we aim to go to the community. 00:14:12.08\00:14:15.88 You know, we don't want to be all just for ourselves, 00:14:15.92\00:14:18.49 we want to be a blessing to other people. 00:14:18.52\00:14:19.89 Yes. 00:14:19.92\00:14:21.26 So when you come to GYC, 00:14:21.29\00:14:22.62 expect to be challenged to go and do missions. 00:14:22.66\00:14:27.06 And lastly, I would say when you go to GYC, 00:14:27.10\00:14:31.70 expect to be a blessing to somebody else. 00:14:31.73\00:14:34.67 So many people that come to GYC 00:14:34.70\00:14:37.31 actually have the best experience 00:14:37.34\00:14:39.57 when they meet one of their peers. 00:14:39.61\00:14:41.21 That is a blessing to them. 00:14:41.24\00:14:43.65 A lot of young people that come to GYC 00:14:43.68\00:14:45.91 are searching for deep friendships. 00:14:45.95\00:14:48.52 And you can play part in that 00:14:48.55\00:14:50.55 and be a blessing to somebody else. 00:14:50.59\00:14:52.59 Yes. Yes. 00:14:52.62\00:14:53.96 Now, also at GYC, 00:14:53.99\00:14:56.36 they have all these wonderful breakout sessions. 00:14:56.39\00:14:59.06 Oh, yes. Now... 00:14:59.09\00:15:00.43 Yeah, we got to get into that. 00:15:00.46\00:15:02.40 Yes, so we have wonderful breakout sessions where, 00:15:02.43\00:15:05.93 as I mentioned, we address a plethora of topics, 00:15:05.97\00:15:09.90 all sorts of topics that the Bible deals with. 00:15:09.94\00:15:12.77 You have breakout sessions, you have networking sessions 00:15:12.81\00:15:17.61 where you can think about 00:15:17.65\00:15:19.35 different ideas, ministry ideas, 00:15:19.38\00:15:21.82 and challenge other people around you to, 00:15:21.85\00:15:25.62 or inspire them with your missionary idea 00:15:25.65\00:15:28.12 that you have. 00:15:28.16\00:15:29.76 So we have networking sessions, and then something 00:15:29.79\00:15:32.33 that we're really excited especially with GYC. 00:15:32.36\00:15:36.83 That usually happens in December, 00:15:36.87\00:15:39.53 GYC, is what we call our booths. 00:15:39.57\00:15:44.61 Okay. 00:15:44.64\00:15:46.71 And where you can go and find different ministries. 00:15:46.74\00:15:51.48 3ABN is a big part of it. Yes. 00:15:51.51\00:15:54.85 And the Discovery 00:15:54.88\00:15:56.85 and everybody involved with 3ABN, 00:15:56.89\00:16:00.19 they are there. 00:16:00.22\00:16:01.56 We have booths of missionaries, 00:16:01.59\00:16:05.06 all sorts of different booths with ministries, 00:16:05.09\00:16:07.33 people that are excited about mission. 00:16:07.36\00:16:09.30 So that's something that's very important for us too. 00:16:09.33\00:16:12.17 Yeah, and that's another aspect of GYC that I love too, 00:16:12.20\00:16:15.64 because I get a chance to walk around 00:16:15.67\00:16:17.54 and see the different people that are exhibiting 00:16:17.57\00:16:21.24 the different exhibit centers that are there as well. 00:16:21.28\00:16:24.05 Great. 00:16:24.08\00:16:25.45 One thing that I find very special about GYC is that, 00:16:25.48\00:16:29.28 no matter what city you guys go to, 00:16:29.32\00:16:32.69 it's never the same after that, 00:16:32.72\00:16:34.76 because of those, the outreach that takes place. 00:16:34.79\00:16:37.69 Exactly. 00:16:37.73\00:16:39.06 I mean, that is important to us. 00:16:39.09\00:16:40.43 We believe 00:16:40.46\00:16:41.86 that God has given us not the great option, 00:16:41.90\00:16:45.17 but the Great Commission. 00:16:45.20\00:16:47.30 And it starts first with go. 00:16:47.34\00:16:49.37 Yep. You got to go. 00:16:49.40\00:16:51.34 So when people come to GYC, 00:16:51.37\00:16:53.81 we don't want to leave the city the same. 00:16:53.84\00:16:57.41 We want to find the people where they're at. 00:16:57.45\00:17:00.35 So usually more than 2,000 young people 00:17:00.38\00:17:03.85 gather for most of the afternoon, 00:17:03.89\00:17:06.76 and go through all the streets. 00:17:06.79\00:17:08.32 We also try to not only give them 00:17:08.36\00:17:11.13 literature or different things, 00:17:11.16\00:17:12.59 but resources, network them to people 00:17:12.63\00:17:16.03 that might be able to help with their needs. 00:17:16.06\00:17:19.53 So we don't want to leave the city the same. 00:17:19.57\00:17:21.94 Because we have a great commission. 00:17:21.97\00:17:23.37 Yes. 00:17:23.41\00:17:24.74 And prayer plays a big part at GYC. 00:17:24.77\00:17:27.74 Oh, Jason. You have a prayer room. 00:17:27.78\00:17:29.98 Yes, Jason. 00:17:30.01\00:17:31.75 We had more than 1,000 young people gathering 00:17:31.78\00:17:35.42 at our prayer room 00:17:35.45\00:17:36.85 early in the morning in Houston. 00:17:36.89\00:17:39.29 And we're talking like 6 AM early or 5 AM. 00:17:39.32\00:17:42.72 The room is almost full at 5:30-5:45. 00:17:42.76\00:17:47.46 Wow! 00:17:47.50\00:17:48.83 And mind you, we have exhibits that go a little bit later, 00:17:48.86\00:17:51.73 maybe nine or ten. 00:17:51.77\00:17:54.14 And these young people wake up early, 00:17:54.17\00:17:57.24 and they were praying there. 00:17:57.27\00:18:00.21 Hundreds of young people pleading for the Holy Spirit. 00:18:00.24\00:18:05.45 That is something I'm so passionate about. 00:18:05.48\00:18:07.75 That is prayer. 00:18:07.78\00:18:09.12 It says, no man is bigger than his prayer life. 00:18:09.15\00:18:10.69 Jason. 00:18:10.72\00:18:12.05 You know, as a young person, you must learn how to pray. 00:18:12.09\00:18:16.09 The disciples never asked Jesus, 00:18:16.12\00:18:17.99 teach us how to preach, 00:18:18.03\00:18:19.59 they never asked Jesus, 00:18:19.63\00:18:20.96 teach us how to give Bible studies, 00:18:21.00\00:18:22.33 though those things are very important. 00:18:22.36\00:18:24.53 But the one thing they long to learn from Jesus 00:18:24.57\00:18:27.17 was teach us how to pray. 00:18:27.20\00:18:28.54 Yes. 00:18:28.57\00:18:29.90 And at GYC, you will find praying people. 00:18:29.94\00:18:31.87 And that is really the engine room of GYC. 00:18:31.91\00:18:35.01 Yes. And Gem cast? 00:18:35.04\00:18:37.11 Is it Gem Castor? Gem Castor. 00:18:37.15\00:18:39.01 Yeah, he's a gem. Yeah. 00:18:39.05\00:18:40.82 He's a gem. 00:18:40.85\00:18:42.18 He's so passionate about prayer and the prayer room. 00:18:42.22\00:18:44.95 I mean, he makes you excited about the whole thing. 00:18:44.99\00:18:49.12 Oh, yeah. 00:18:49.16\00:18:50.49 What are some challenges that you face as the GYC President? 00:18:50.53\00:18:54.80 Oh, the biggest challenge is myself, leading myself. 00:18:54.83\00:18:59.50 And surrendering, making sure that 00:18:59.53\00:19:02.67 I am surrendered fully to the Lord. 00:19:02.70\00:19:08.44 That's the biggest challenge. Okay. 00:19:08.48\00:19:10.75 Because, you know, we are so selfish people. 00:19:10.78\00:19:13.82 And, you know, just my challenge every day 00:19:13.85\00:19:17.82 is to live out the gospel in my life, 00:19:17.85\00:19:20.86 and make sure that Jesus has my best emotions. 00:19:20.89\00:19:25.29 That's my challenge as a leader, 00:19:25.33\00:19:27.73 surrendering to Him every day. 00:19:27.76\00:19:30.73 Challenges, as GYC, we always face all sorts of challenges, 00:19:30.77\00:19:34.27 but the Lord has a 1,000 ways to solve all them. 00:19:34.30\00:19:36.71 Amen. 00:19:36.74\00:19:38.07 So we... 00:19:38.11\00:19:39.44 Whatever challenge we face, 00:19:39.47\00:19:40.81 you know, some might be logistical challenge, 00:19:40.84\00:19:43.95 dealing with a city, 00:19:43.98\00:19:45.31 dealing with all sorts of different things. 00:19:45.35\00:19:47.02 But as long as we go to the Lord, 00:19:47.05\00:19:49.48 all we need is one solution. 00:19:49.52\00:19:51.25 Yes. So we're fine. 00:19:51.29\00:19:52.79 Now there are a lot of moving parts with GYC? 00:19:52.82\00:19:57.66 Yes. 00:19:57.69\00:19:59.03 Roughly how many people are on the team? 00:19:59.06\00:20:02.26 Well, at GYC, what we might call international or national. 00:20:02.30\00:20:09.00 We have probably close to about 100 and... 00:20:09.04\00:20:12.57 100 volunteers. Wow. 00:20:12.61\00:20:13.94 100 volunteers. 00:20:13.98\00:20:16.14 That's including myself. 00:20:16.18\00:20:17.81 Okay. I'm a volunteer too. 00:20:17.85\00:20:20.02 So about 100 volunteers that give most of the year, 00:20:20.05\00:20:24.59 all to GYC. 00:20:24.62\00:20:26.25 Wow! That's amazing. 00:20:26.29\00:20:27.69 And you said, you're a volunteer too. 00:20:27.72\00:20:29.22 I am, yes. 00:20:29.26\00:20:30.59 I have to pay, Jason, for my registration. 00:20:30.63\00:20:33.40 I get a discount. 00:20:33.43\00:20:34.76 It's called early bird. 00:20:34.80\00:20:37.73 So I get an early bird discount, $20 or so. 00:20:37.77\00:20:43.04 But I pay for myself, and it's a joy. 00:20:43.07\00:20:45.87 I pay for my wife's tickets, everything, all of our family. 00:20:45.91\00:20:49.91 Just like any GYC, or that goes to GYC. 00:20:49.94\00:20:53.18 See, that's amazing, too because you're the president. 00:20:53.21\00:20:55.42 Yeah. 00:20:55.45\00:20:56.79 So, that's, yeah, that's amazing. 00:20:56.82\00:20:58.15 But my whole team does the same 00:20:58.19\00:20:59.55 and our whole board does the same, so. 00:20:59.59\00:21:02.49 And all, you know, all of us as leaders, it's a joy. 00:21:02.52\00:21:07.36 Yes. Yeah. Yeah. 00:21:07.40\00:21:08.86 So, that's what we do. 00:21:08.90\00:21:10.23 What are some of your needs as an organization? 00:21:10.27\00:21:14.00 So our biggest need, I would say is one, 00:21:14.04\00:21:16.94 we always need people to promote GYC. 00:21:16.97\00:21:20.51 'Cause GYC is a grassroots movement. 00:21:20.54\00:21:22.24 So if you're passionate about promoting GYC, 00:21:22.28\00:21:25.45 if you believe in the movement, invite a friend. 00:21:25.48\00:21:28.32 That is always the way how we grow as GYC, 00:21:28.35\00:21:30.92 is by word of mouth. 00:21:30.95\00:21:32.65 Yes. 00:21:32.69\00:21:34.66 Obviously, another need is always financial support. 00:21:34.69\00:21:38.59 But that, you know, the beauty about GYC is that 00:21:38.63\00:21:41.46 we're 90-95% funded all by young people. 00:21:41.50\00:21:46.60 Wow. That's amazing. 00:21:46.63\00:21:47.97 So we, those 5% might be donations 00:21:48.00\00:21:51.54 from people that are young at heart 00:21:51.57\00:21:54.11 that love the movement, 00:21:54.14\00:21:56.08 but almost 95% completely 00:21:56.11\00:21:59.28 from young people like you and I. 00:21:59.31\00:22:02.28 That's huge. That's huge. 00:22:02.32\00:22:04.09 And if people want to get involved 00:22:04.12\00:22:06.76 and want to donate their time or volunteer... 00:22:06.79\00:22:09.72 Oh, yes. 00:22:09.76\00:22:11.09 They just go to GYCWeb.org? 00:22:11.13\00:22:14.46 GYCWeb.org. 00:22:14.50\00:22:16.16 And volunteer, you know, 00:22:16.20\00:22:17.80 and you are GYC, I am GYC, 00:22:17.83\00:22:21.24 GYC is not just a conference. 00:22:21.27\00:22:23.77 GYC is a movement of values. 00:22:23.81\00:22:27.04 Yes. 00:22:27.08\00:22:28.78 Three of those main values are belief in the Bible, 00:22:28.81\00:22:32.08 the Spirit of Prophecy, 00:22:32.11\00:22:33.72 and belief in the Adventist Church. 00:22:33.75\00:22:37.42 So people that gather to GYC 00:22:37.45\00:22:39.05 are usually united by common set of values. 00:22:39.09\00:22:42.06 And it's a lifestyle. 00:22:42.09\00:22:43.66 So you are GYC, I'm GYC. 00:22:43.69\00:22:45.59 So GYC is us as young people, 00:22:45.63\00:22:48.50 as Seventh-day Adventist young people. 00:22:48.53\00:22:50.43 Amen. Yes. 00:22:50.47\00:22:51.80 And what are some of the themes 00:22:51.83\00:22:53.50 that since you've been president, 00:22:53.54\00:22:56.24 like to the end? 00:22:56.27\00:22:58.47 Or am I putting you on the spot? 00:22:58.51\00:22:59.97 No, that's good, that's good, you know, that's good. 00:23:00.01\00:23:01.41 You know, I've been... 00:23:01.44\00:23:02.78 I've been involved with the movement now 00:23:02.81\00:23:04.41 for the last six years in a top leadership. 00:23:04.45\00:23:09.65 So some of our themes have been at the cross, 00:23:09.68\00:23:13.49 to the end. 00:23:13.52\00:23:16.73 We have, When all has been heard, 00:23:16.76\00:23:21.20 we have all sorts of different themes. 00:23:21.23\00:23:24.47 They range from the Old to the New Testament. 00:23:24.50\00:23:28.80 One of our themes that will be coming up 00:23:28.84\00:23:32.64 is by many or by few. 00:23:32.67\00:23:35.18 Nice. 00:23:35.21\00:23:36.54 And that is the theme about Jonathan, 00:23:36.58\00:23:38.88 when he was willing with his armed bearer, 00:23:38.91\00:23:40.95 to face the enemies of Israel. 00:23:40.98\00:23:44.45 And he says, "By many or by few, 00:23:44.49\00:23:46.22 the Lord can deliver." 00:23:46.25\00:23:47.89 And that is one of our big themes 00:23:47.92\00:23:50.26 that we're working towards. 00:23:50.29\00:23:51.63 That is awesome. 00:23:51.66\00:23:52.99 How do you guys come up with these themes? 00:23:53.03\00:23:55.50 Well, we... 00:23:55.53\00:23:58.17 It's a very prayerful process. 00:23:58.20\00:24:01.57 We look, we try not to plan themes too much in advance, 00:24:01.60\00:24:05.64 we look at the current stage of young people and the world, 00:24:05.67\00:24:10.61 and what the Bible is trying to tell us. 00:24:10.65\00:24:12.88 So we gather together, we go through several themes. 00:24:12.91\00:24:16.58 And we pray through it, and we really see 00:24:16.62\00:24:18.92 what is God calling us to as young people. 00:24:18.95\00:24:22.92 And that is what we select as our theme. 00:24:22.96\00:24:25.46 And then, through that, we get it approved. 00:24:25.49\00:24:27.30 Obviously, we have a board, and executive committee. 00:24:27.33\00:24:31.23 But we want to see what the Bible says. 00:24:31.27\00:24:33.34 So all of our themes come from the Bible. 00:24:33.37\00:24:35.77 Amen. 00:24:35.80\00:24:37.14 Now, what about for your speaker selection? 00:24:37.17\00:24:40.31 How do you come to an agreement 00:24:40.34\00:24:42.68 on who you want to speak and all that stuff? 00:24:42.71\00:24:44.75 How do you select your speakers? 00:24:44.78\00:24:46.92 Well, that is, we have a whole team for that. 00:24:46.95\00:24:50.05 It's called the programming committee team. 00:24:50.09\00:24:52.35 And we usually look for speakers that, number one, 00:24:52.39\00:24:57.26 they have a deep respect for the Bible. 00:24:57.29\00:25:00.10 We're not so much interested, so to speak, in big names. 00:25:00.13\00:25:03.80 If they are a big name, praise the Lord. 00:25:03.83\00:25:06.63 Big name might be somebody that's well-known. 00:25:06.67\00:25:09.24 But we try to find those that are, 00:25:09.27\00:25:11.47 that their ministry is a testimony 00:25:11.51\00:25:13.58 to their devotion to the Lord. 00:25:13.61\00:25:15.61 So we spend a lot of time looking at different events, 00:25:15.64\00:25:21.82 of speakers and going through that process. 00:25:21.85\00:25:25.42 If I could boil it down, number one, 00:25:25.45\00:25:27.12 obviously is devotion to the Lord, 00:25:27.16\00:25:28.82 respect for the Bible. 00:25:28.86\00:25:30.33 Number two, they have to be 00:25:30.36\00:25:31.69 a very committed Seventh-day Adventist. 00:25:31.73\00:25:34.00 And number three, they must love young people. 00:25:34.03\00:25:36.03 If they can't connect with young people, 00:25:36.06\00:25:41.10 you know, the Lord has a ministry for them. 00:25:41.14\00:25:43.91 But we really like to get those that love young people. 00:25:43.94\00:25:46.88 Yeah. So we... 00:25:46.91\00:25:48.24 So those three are very important. 00:25:48.28\00:25:49.61 They must believe in that 00:25:49.64\00:25:51.61 young people can do big things for the Lord. 00:25:51.65\00:25:55.58 Respect for the Bible, 00:25:55.62\00:25:56.95 committed Seventh-day Adventist, 00:25:56.99\00:25:58.65 and love young people. 00:25:58.69\00:26:00.56 Amen, amen. 00:26:00.59\00:26:02.56 I want you to look into this camera right over here, 00:26:02.59\00:26:04.99 and just share what's on your heart. 00:26:05.03\00:26:07.00 Speak to that young person that may be wayward, 00:26:07.03\00:26:09.83 or one that's in the church 00:26:09.86\00:26:12.13 and just doesn't know what to do with their time? 00:26:12.17\00:26:14.07 Yeah. 00:26:14.10\00:26:15.44 So I would challenge you, if you're watching right now, 00:26:15.47\00:26:19.54 to number one, 00:26:19.57\00:26:21.81 fall in love with Jesus through the Word of God. 00:26:21.84\00:26:24.08 I would challenge you to read the Book of John, 00:26:24.11\00:26:26.31 start with John. 00:26:26.35\00:26:27.68 Because John wants you to know that Jesus is the Son of God, 00:26:27.72\00:26:31.25 and He can completely save you from whatever you're faced. 00:26:31.29\00:26:34.42 Maybe you've left the church, 00:26:34.46\00:26:36.06 and you've seen too many things that are discouraging to you. 00:26:36.09\00:26:40.70 But I want to challenge you to follow Jesus, 00:26:40.73\00:26:43.23 and this is God's Church. 00:26:43.26\00:26:44.97 Maybe you're in the church, 00:26:45.00\00:26:46.33 and you're a leader in the church, 00:26:46.37\00:26:47.70 as a young person. 00:26:47.74\00:26:49.10 I want to encourage you as well. 00:26:49.14\00:26:51.14 Learn to pray, learn to have faith, 00:26:51.17\00:26:54.94 and believe that 00:26:54.98\00:26:56.31 Jesus can use you to do mighty things. 00:26:56.34\00:26:59.38 Don't limit yourself, dream big for the Lord, 00:26:59.41\00:27:02.35 because God has called you for such a time as this. 00:27:02.38\00:27:06.09 And I want to encourage you, always look up. 00:27:06.12\00:27:08.62 Always look up to Jesus, 00:27:08.66\00:27:10.39 because He's the author and finisher of your faith. 00:27:10.43\00:27:13.46 As long as you look to Him, you will arrive home. 00:27:13.50\00:27:16.83 Amen. Amen. Amen. 00:27:16.87\00:27:18.73 I hope that, as a result of watching this program 00:27:18.77\00:27:23.57 that we get a whole bunch of young folks to go to GYC 00:27:23.61\00:27:29.34 even more than have already gone 00:27:29.38\00:27:31.21 because I mean, there's thousands 00:27:31.25\00:27:32.71 that show up at GYC. 00:27:32.75\00:27:34.08 Yes. 00:27:34.12\00:27:35.45 There are thousands of them. 00:27:35.48\00:27:36.82 But we're always interested in everybody that comes, 00:27:36.85\00:27:40.49 that they surrender to the Lord. 00:27:40.52\00:27:42.82 Because once you surrender to the Lord, 00:27:42.86\00:27:44.46 you'll always be a majority. 00:27:44.49\00:27:45.89 Amen. 00:27:45.93\00:27:47.26 And for more information, they can go to GYCWeb.org 00:27:47.30\00:27:51.03 to find out when the next event is. 00:27:51.07\00:27:52.77 Thank you very much, Pastor. 00:27:52.80\00:27:54.17 Thank you, Jason. 00:27:54.20\00:27:55.54 And thank you for joining us. 00:27:55.57\00:27:56.97 Well, we've reached the end of another program. 00:27:57.01\00:27:59.54 Thanks for tuning in. 00:27:59.57\00:28:00.91 And remember, 00:28:00.94\00:28:02.28 it just wouldn't be the same without you. 00:28:02.31\00:28:03.85