Ready to Serve: 52 Graduate with AY Senior Youth Leader Certification

This year, Southern New England Conference (SNEC) Adventist Youth Ministry (AYM) graduated 52 persons, from teens to senior citizens, as Senior Youth Leaders. This is the largest number of graduates in the known history of SNEC’s AYM leadership certification course.  As SNEC conference membership and the number of church plants and Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs steadily increase, these newly trained leaders are crucial to the continued growth of our church.

At the graduation service held on November 15, 2025, at the Central Falls Spanish SDA church in Rhode Island, graduates received a pin, the branded navy-blue blazer with the international Adventist Youth (AY) logo, the AY tie, and an impassioned charge from Ivanildo Lopes, pastor of the New Bedford and Fall River Cape Verdean churches and SNEC’s Cape Verdean coordinator.  Lopes, also a graduate of the AYM leadership certification class, encouraged them to be a Joshua, courageous and strong, making a difference where they are called to serve.

This class, a year-long course with virtual classes held mainly on Sabbath afternoons, is designed to prepare church members aged 16 and up for youth and young adult ministry in their local churches and volunteer positions in conference ministries.

“We encourage local leaders in youth or young adult ministry and Sabbath School teachers--or even if you’re not elected to serve--to take this training,” says Teddy Williamson, SNEC director of young adults and youth Sabbath School ministries. “It will prepare you and give you confidence to serve in your local church or wherever the Lord calls you.”

Would like to make an impact in your church community and across the conference as a trained and certified Senior Youth Leader? Click here AYM Leadership Certification | YAS to learn more and register.  Don’t wait! Online classes available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, begin January 2026.