Adventist youth from across Sydney participated in Global Youth Day (GYD), engaging in several community outreach activities across the Greater Sydney region on March 15.
Initiatives included providing food and clothing to homeless individuals, offering mobile health screenings, visiting senior homes and conducting community clean-ups. In the city, volunteers distributed smoothies to encourage conversation, while others spent the day assisting vulnerable individuals in practical ways.
Reflecting on the day, Greater Sydney Conference (GSC) youth department director Pastor Dejan Stojkovic highlighted the impact of youth-led service. “Some churches closed their doors for the morning, not to pause worship, but to become worship—meeting people where they were, bringing hope, kindness and practical help to the streets of Greater Sydney,” he said.
The initiative also caught the attention of local authorities and businesses. A police officer stopped by to ask about the event and shared their appreciation for the youth’s involvement. “We are here to help, you are here to help, God is here to help, and we hope they will also help themselves,” the officer commented. A local bakery also donated bread and baked goods after witnessing the volunteers’ work.
According to Pastor Stojkovic, GYD is about making a tangible difference in communities. “The church isn’t just about how many people sit in the pews, but how many are sent out to serve. God blesses a church that moves,” he said.
Signs of the Times also provided more than 400 magazines to be handed out to those interested.
GYD 2025 was part of an ongoing focus on service and outreach, with plans to expand future initiatives.
According to Pastor Stojkovic, the GSC youth department hopes to involve more ministries in next year’s program, including Pathfinders, community ministries and ADRA, to increase the impact across the city.
