From April 15-18, 2024, the Youth Department of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division held the Youth Ministry Advisory in Okinawa, Japan. The advisory commenced with an opening sermon by Choi HoYoung, Youth Director of the NSD, followed by a three-hour presentation by Kumalo Bush, Youth Director of the General Conference, on the direction and focus of the General Conference Youth Ministry, including detailed plans for future initiatives.
This event marked the first in-person meeting of the NSD Youth Department since the COVID-19 pandemic. It began with reports from the four existing countries, followed by a series of meetings from morning to evening, which included reports from the four newest countries. Only the director from Pakistan participated in the offline meeting, while directors from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal participated via Zoom.
Additionally, the directors discussed the past, present, and future blueprints of the 1000 Missionaries Movement. Han SukHee, the President of the 1000 Missionaries Movement, expressed gratitude to each association and federation for their support in helping “more young people dream together and serve in the mission field” and solicited their continued support and dedication. In the final dedication service, he urged participants to collaborate towards a higher and better standard to prepare for the future and to experience and prepare God’s future generations through present ministry efforts.
This advisory was particularly poignant as it reflected on Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist and conscientious objector who served as a medic during World War II. Despite his refusal to take up arms, Doss saved 75 soldiers during the Battle of Okinawa and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary courage and faith. A monument in his honor stands at the Okinawa mission headquarters. The youth directors visited the cliff site where Doss heroically saved friends and enemies.