RISE on the Rock: CAYS Summit 2026
As I sit on the middle seat of my WestJet flight back home, I would be remiss not to admit that this weekend was everything I needed and more.
Youth leaders praying together during the Canadian Adventist Youth Summit 2026.
On May 6, 2026, youth leaders from Ontario journeyed to Newfoundland where they would spend the next 5 days attending the Canadian Adventist Youth Summit (CAYS) under the title “RISE: Empowering Youth Leaders for Mission”. CAYS is the biennial training that invites leaders from across Canada to gather and train towards the united vision for young persons in Canada.
Heading to Newfoundland were 16 highly energetic, and talented individuals who serve as the Youth Ministries Action Committee Members in the Ontario Conference Youth Ministries Department (regional presidents, ministry co-chairs and one youth pastor). All with an eagerness to serve the next generation of the church.
Through sun and rain, Camp Woody Acres set the stage for what would be a transformative week. As campers trickled in, our soft launch session on Wednesday evening was led by Pastor John Scott, Youth Director of the Ontario Conference, who emphasized that though the world may want to see us fail, and we may feel like all hope is gone; our God will never let us feel lost. Because each of us has been called for a greater purpose, so that we may rise even when the ashes around us are burning.
From left-to-right: Sarah, Natasha, Hansel, and Chris O from Alberta enjoying the Puffins boat tour.
Thursday, attendees were shepherded into cars and off to explore the province we were visiting. Group 1 took an adventure to downtown St. Johns where they explored the Jellybean Row Houses, coloured by their owners’ personalities and visited Cape Spear – the eastern most point of Canada. Group 2 took their exploration to a hike, connecting with God through the mountainous views, and ending the tour at the oldest Adventist radio station in Canada, even going live on air to share about their ministries. Group 3 traversed the ocean waves to spot some of God’s magnificent creatures—whales, puffins and icebergs.
The evening was filled with an awe for creations beauty and began the first of 3 sermons from Pastor Massiel Davila-Ferrer, Chaplain at Burman University, who talked to us about Moses’ journey in the wilderness. In one of the sessions, we delved into Exodus 18, a narrative in which Jethro comes to visit Moses. The conversations led us to understand, that in leadership (like Moses’) it is important to know where and how to delegate. Young leaders in today’s church, feel the pressure of carrying the weight of all the burdens around them, but in Exodus 18:21, just like Jethro tells Moses, we are invited to share that responsibility, and to fix our eyes on God. It was inevitable that the room was filled with quiet reflection that evening.
From left-to-right: Pastor Enrique Machuca from Newfoundland & Pastor Hansel Gevieso from Ontario.
Friday had the group in active workshops. Pastor Cyrill Millet, Executive Secretary of the SDACC (Seventh Day Adventist Church of Canada), led us in discussions about breaking barriers and navigating red tape in the church structures. Questions on how to work with church boards, how to speak up for those that are not heard, were carefully answered and discussed. Leaders were empowered to speak up and out, and lead with God’s guidance. The Friday evening started with a powerful sermon from Pastor Teddy Bagassien, Youth Director of the Maritime Conference, who used Joseph’s life to talk about the waiting seasons of a young person’s life. How we may be praying for an answer and feeling stuck in the waiting, but all the while, we were unknowingly the answer to someone else’s prayer. This nugget reminded us that we need to live each moment with the privilege of knowing that we serve a providential God.
As the sun rose on the final day, we were greeted with warm weather and comfort. From the moment we walked into the camp’s gym turned chapel for the weekend, till the closing of the Sabbath day, the Holy Spirit was felt in every corner, in every word spoken and in every heart in attendance. The morning was filled with a power word from Pastor Massiel, followed by 3 workshops that got leaders thinking about how to get creative, and approach ministry from a healthy mindset. After a traditional haystacks lunch, the afternoon was spent with all the Canadian youth directors and campus chaplains of Burman University sharing the Mission, Vision and Values for the Canadian Union, with the tagline:
“Live, Grow, and Change the World.”
From left-to-right: regional presidents Angella Gregory, Daniel Doyle, and Sophia Lue.
The day concluded with a final message from Pastor Rob Dorelus, Youth Director of the Alberta Conference, who showed us the life of Joseph in 2026. The journey of our ministry could mean that some of us are in the pit, tossed aside, or in the prison where every move is watched. Some might be having dreams and waiting for it to be a reality, while some might be in the palace, leading the charge. Wherever we may be, God is with us, through it all.
Heading to Newfoundland, I can say with certainty, we did not expect to walk into a room filled with young leaders who have dedicated 110% of their lives to Christ. We did not expect to hear the hearts of those around us yearning for the lost. We did not expect to fill our minds with a future that can change the world. But God made it happen. Through the tireless efforts of the Canadian Youth Advisory team, He made mountains move, sky’s crack open and changed the lives of youth visionaries in 5 short days.
As I close my eyes and think of what Ontario has in store for our young people, I am moved. I am marveled by God’s abundant grace, and I am empowered to see what one week in the wilderness can do for the Kingdom of God.