Youth Ministry Shines at New Maranatha Karibu
The past two Sabbaths at New Maranatha Karibu SDA Church have truly been a blessing. On May 10 and May 17, the young people took charge through powerful sermons, heartfelt presentations, and music, everyone was reminded that the church’s future is bright. The Children’s Sabbath service opened with children declaring the greatness of Jesus. The children handled each part of the service, from the scripture readings to the special music, with confidence and joy. Young voices broke out in song and scripture, with the clear message that Jesus is the greatest name of all. The children also led a touching moment of appreciation for mothers, grandmothers, and aunties. They distributed flowers and handmade cards, honoring the women who reflect God’s love every day.
The highlight of the day came through the sermon delivered by none other than 8-year-old Merina Tuvako. Her message, titled “Unnamed Girl: Daughter of a Mentioned Mother Who Dared to Be a Light,” centered on the unnamed servant girl in 2 Kings 5:2-4 who led Naaman to healing. Merina contrasted her own named identity with the nameless servant girl, pointing out how even in silence and suffering, one can still shine for Jesus. Although the young girl had no name in scripture, her faithfulness changed lives, and her story still teaches us today.
Her sermon was not only inspiring, but it was also a spiritual assignment for both the young and old to live as lights in the world.
The Children’s Ministry team also announced the much-anticipated return of Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the first time since 2019. Scheduled for June 30th to July 4th, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at our church as the venue, this year’s VBS theme is Where God’s Love Is Solid Rock. Sister Joyce Masita, our VBS Coordinator, expressed her excitement, saying, “We are going to be going to the mountain of miracles where God's love is solid rock.” The event promises to be a blessing to children, youth, and their families. Importantly, Sister Joyce emphasized that “VBS is not just for New Maranatha children, it’s for our community. We'll be evangelizing... so we pray that you invite your friends and family.”
The next Sabbath, the church once again came alive under the leadership of its young people during the Youth Sabbath. From the worship team to the scripture readers to the media crew, every element of the service showcased youth taking the initiative and owning their place in the church. The service was further enriched by the Angaza-Sharon SDA Youth Choir, who worshipped with us and blessed the congregation with powerful, spirit-filled music. They lifted their voices in praise and set the tone for a worship experience. An excellent sermon was delivered by Pastor Novella Denise Smith, Senior Pastor of Beacon Light SDA Church and Associate Youth Director for the Allegheny East Conference. With passion and personal insight, Pastor Novella Smith encouraged everyone, especially the youth, to live with gratitude and never forget their blessings' source. Pastor Smith’s message, titled “I Was Sick, I Prayed, I Recovered, and Then I...” drew from Isaiah 38:1-2; she reflected on King Hezekiah’s story, pointing out a crucial spiritual pitfall: forgetting to testify about God’s goodness after receiving His blessings.
She shared stories of transformation, including a woman’s journey from substance abuse and violence to church leadership, a woman who stood strong in a battle against stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and her own upbringing under the care of a single, immigrant, faithful mother. Pastor Smith reminded the congregation that when you ask him, God’s transforming power knows no limits. These testimonies underlined the sermon’s message: God restores, God provides, and we must be faithful in telling the world about it.
What stood out most across both Sabbaths was not just the execution but the intentional empowerment of young people. These weren’t just youth participation services but youth-led, youth-driven and Spirit-filled. The church did more than give the youth a chance; they gave them ownership. And in return, the youth gave their hearts, their talents, and their voices to glorify God. One thing was clear, whether through Merina’s courageous sermon or Pastor Novella Smith’s powerful words. When the young are empowered, the Spirit is present. The Holy Spirit is at work, and when we trust our youth with responsibility and support them with prayer, we don’t just prepare them for the future; we prepare the church to thrive in the present..
By Brianne Aminga