Youth around the world are skipping church today to share God

On Sabbath, March 16, millions of youth around the world will hear one less sermon and instead BE the sermon.

Instead of sitting in church and listening to a sermon, the General Conference Youth Ministries Department wants youth to share God through acts of kindness in their communities. The GC Youth Ministries Dept. says 8 million youth will be participating.

This is all part of something called Global Youth Day. The theme is "One in Compassion," and it is meant to kick off the worldwide Youth Week of Prayer.

Why they're doing it

The GC wants youth to feel that they are part of a global movement and that they are all working together with a common mission of service.

The Youth Department hopes Global Youth Day will be "a much needed positive and constructive response to perceived fragmentation," according to the department's proposal.

So here's the plan:

First youth will meet together on Sabbath morning to have a short devotional, pray, and get instructions. Then they will go out and share God's love by serving in their communities. A global blood drive is also planned.

Later in the day, they'll regroup to share with each other to worship and share their experiences. Afterwards, the plan is to share those stories with the world by posting them online using the hashtag #GlobalYouthDay

and on the official Facebook page.

4 International Live Video Streams

According to the GC Youth Dept., there will be four different live video streams from around the world.

1. Australia: Watch Live
   4-5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (1-2 a.m. EDT)
2. Germany: Watch Live
   3-4 p.m. Central Europe Time (10-11 a.m. EDT)
3. Brazil: Watch Live
   3-4 p.m. Brasilia Time (2-3 p.m. EDT)
4. United States: Watch Live
   3-4 p.m. EDT

Theme Song Audio

Theme Song (with vocals)

Piano version (no vocals)

Instrumental version (no vocals)

The theme song was composed and performed by Karl Da Silva, according to Daryl Gungadoo of Adventist World Radio.

Theme Song Lyrics:

(Verse 1)

God is calling
Calling us to all become one
for His glory
Show the world His love and mercy
Acts of kindness
Let the love of Jesus move you
On this day may young and old,
be His hands, and be His feet

(Chorus)

One in compassion
Once in the Spirit
we will be
the Sermon
Let every nation
all of God's children
need to be
the Sermon

(Verse 2)

What will you do?
Feed the hungry, friend the lonely,
for His glory
show the world His love and mercy
Acts of kindness
Let the love of Jesus move you
On this day may young and old,
be His hands, and be His feet

How about you?

So are you doing anything for Global Youth Day? Let us know in the comments section below!