Source: The Health Connection Newsletter | 1st Quarter 2022
Franco-Belgium Union | Inter-European Division (EUD)
After a long wait since 2020 due to the pandemic, the Franco-Belgium Union (FBU) decided by faith to bring together dozens of youth leaders, youth pastors, youth, and young adults for its launch of Youth Alive on February 16-20, 2022. Thanks to a collaboration between the FBU and Adventist University Collonges-sous-Salève, the attendees enjoyed great accommodations and facilities in a beautiful atmosphere for a very accessible cost. Youth and adult facilitators were equipped to lead Youth Alive friendship groups and clubs in schools and churches throughout the Union. The training was followed by a youth conference where young people were connected with peers, and mentors as they played, learned and worshipped together in Youth Alive Friendship groups. They also had breakouts and plenary sessions that explored topics such as addictions, suicide, relationships, and emotional healing, among others. On Sabbath, the youth had the opportunity to sign the Youth Alive pledge and serve their community by creating beautiful handmade thank you cards and some sweet treats for health professionals and staff at the La Ligniére Adventist clinic in Switzerland for their heroic efforts during the pandemic. “This weekend allowed me to understand the importance of mental health. That it is necessary to listen to God and find strength from Him to break away from bad habits,” said a youth attendee. Several committed to being a Youth Alive leader to all, not just in the Adventist community.
