The Ambassador Group is an organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church dedicated to meeting the spiritual, social, and lifestyle needs of youth ages 16-20’s by challenging them to experiencing and sharing a personal relationship with Christ, developing a lifestyle fitting their belief system and vocational interest, and providing them with an adequate venue for wholesome development of lifelong friendships.
The Advent Message to All the World in My Generation
My relationship to Jesus Christ is of such a nature that it compels me to share with any who will receive it, the gospel—the good news of His soon return.
The love of Christ compels me.
Explanation: I am drawn to Him by His exemplary life, the symbolic act of His crucifixion, His conquering resurrection, and His promise of an earth made new in the pattern of the original creation. The closer I find myself to Him, the closer I find myself identifying with the needs of my fellow human beings.
Loving the Lord Jesus, I promise to take an active part in the youth ministry of the church, doing what I can to help others and to finish the work of the Gospel in all the world.
I ___(name) in the year of __(Year)___ volunteer now to join the AY Legion of Honour and by the grace and power of God I will:
Honour Christ in that which I choose to BEHOLD.
Honour Christ in that I choose to LISTEN.
Honour Christ in the choice of places to which I GO.
Honour Christ in the choice of ASSOCIATES.
Honour Christ in that which I choose to SPEAK.
Honour Christ in the care I give my BODY TEMPLE.
Explanation: MESSAGE TO YOUNG PEOPLE (P.270): “Say firmly: I will not spend precious time moments in reading that which will be of no profit to me to me, and which only unfits me to be of service to others. I will devote my time and my thoughts to acquiring a fitness for God’s service. I will close my eyes to frivolous and sinful things. My ears are the Lord’s, and I will not listen to the subtle reasoning of the enemy. My voice shall not in any way be subject t a will that is not under the influence of the spirit of God. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and every power of my being shall be consecrated to worthy pursuits”.
To lead young people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and help them embrace His call to discipleship.
Any youth age 16 up through the mid-twenties who choose to live by the principles and guidelines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
For definition purposes, the Youth Department defines Junior Youth Ministry as focusing on those under the age of 16 (another way of wording it would be ages 15 and under). Senior Youth are those who are ages 16-30+, divided in two Ministries: Ambassadors, ages 16-21 and Young Adults, ages 22 to 30+. This club’s focus is primarily for those within the Senior Youth category; however, the upper age limit is left more open because in many areas there are young people in their 20’s that would very much enjoy the benefits of membership in this club.
Ambassador Administrative Manual (2013)
The 7 Foundations of the Ambassador Programming are:
1. A Christ-centered discipleship plan (Discipleship)
2. Leadership development through such curricula as Master Guide and AY Leadership (Leadership)
3. A personal, small-group based, and public evangelistic mission lifestyle (Outreach)
4. Character and personality development/awareness through outdoor/high adventure programming (Outdoor)
5. Lifestyle vocational/career development through specialized training and advanced honor levels (Vocation)
6. Friendship and relationship skill development (Relationship)
7. Community outreach development through service projects and emergency preparedness training (Community)
The AY Silver Award is a prize worth striving for. It brings together core aspects of physical, mental, and spiritual vitality. It presents a clear plan and encourages young people to be well-rounded, fit individuals, by excelling in all three areas. By encouraging physical fitness, good health practices, life skills, and more, the AY Silver Award is an ideal way to develop strong character qualities, clear thinking, and keen spiritual perception that will prepare youth for life here and for eternity. Now, as never before, we need an army of youth rightly trained, to carry “the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Savior . . . to the whole world!” ( A Call to Stand Apart, p.67 )
The AY Gold Award is presented to Young Adults under 31 years of age who have completed the Silver Award and who have demonstrated exceptional qualities of physical, mental and cultural development. Sponsored by the Youth Ministries Department, the plan gives Young Adults an opportunity to find satisfaction in worthwhile achievement. Membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church is not a prerequisite. The sincere effort and perseverance required to qualify in the various activities will develop qualities of character much needed in today’s generation. The AY Gold Award recipient will be better prepared to take his place as a constructive member of his church and community.
In these last days of earth’s history, demands upon God’s people will become increasingly intense. Only those youth who have a firm foundation on the Word of God and have chosen a moral platform which reflects the purity of Jesus Christ will be able to withstand the withering attack upon Christian standards. Good health, clear thinking, and keenness of spiritual perception are closely linked together. The AY Gold Award has been introduced to give strength to these important elements of life. Youth who earn the AY Gold Award will be youth of true distinction.
