_ILC%20Logo%20-%20Hor%20Blue.png)
"Canvas" Rally Brings Together Youth from Across Chicagoland
- rgonzalez446
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
Roberto Gonzalez
Associate Youth Director
On June 20, the Illinois Conference Youth Department hosted the Canvas: God's Masterpiece Youth Rally at the Central Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chicago. Nearly 170 youth, young adults, youth leaders, and church members gathered for a day centered on growing closer to Christ, building friendships, and equipping the next generation to live out their faith.
Young people traveled from churches all across the Chicagoland area, with attendees coming from as far away as the Ottawa and Princeton. It was a beautiful reminder that although our churches may be spread across Illinois, we are united by one mission—to help young people know Jesus and reflect His character.
The day was filled with heartfelt worship led by the youth and young adults from North Shore Seventh-day Adventist Church. Through music and praise, they helped create an atmosphere where participants were encouraged to lift their hearts to God and prepare to receive His Word.
Our guest speaker, Pastor Ray Valenzuela, senior pastor at the Minnetonka church in Minnesota, as well as a longtime leader in youth and young adult ministry, challenged everyone to remember that they are God's masterpiece, uniquely created with purpose. Through his messages, attendees were encouraged to allow God, the Master Artist, to continue shaping their lives.
The rally also featured several practical and Christ-centered seminars designed to help youth navigate everyday challenges:
Genalin Niere-Metcalf, psychologist, presented a seminar on mental health, emphasizing the importance of caring for both emotional and spiritual well-being.
Gloria Jimenez, a student from Hinsdale Adventist Academy, shared practical ways to develop a meaningful devotional life and cultivate a daily relationship with Jesus.
Marcos Morales, founder of Bridging the GAP Ministries, led an outreach experience that reminded participants that faith is meant to be lived through serving others.
Ruben Casabona, from the Lake Union Conference Communication Department, presented on social media, encouraging young people to use digital platforms wisely and intentionally as followers of Christ.
One of the highlights of the day was hearing the excitement from many first-time attendees. Several youth shared that this was the first youth rally they had ever experienced. One young person said, "I loved everything! I come from a small church, and seeing so many young people together is amazing." For youth who often worship in smaller congregations, the rally was a powerful reminder that they are part of a much larger family of faith. Seeing hundreds of other young people worshiping, learning, and serving together encouraged them to remain connected to Christ and His church.
Throughout the day, there was a genuine sense of God's presence. Through worship, prayer, fellowship, Bible-centered messages, and meaningful conversations, young people were reminded that they are deeply loved by God and called to make a difference in their schools, churches, and communities.
Events like these are more than just gatherings—they are opportunities to strengthen faith, encourage one another, and build a generation of young disciples committed to following Jesus. We praise God for every volunteer, church, presenter, and participant who helped make this rally a blessing.
NEXT STEPS:
The journey continues as we prepare for our next event. We invite all youth and young adults to join us for the Southern Illinois Youth Rally on July 11 at Thompsonville Junior Adventist Academy. We are excited to see what God has in store as we continue investing in the young people of Illinois and helping them discover that they are, indeed, His masterpiece.
Please send any news items of what God is doing around the Illinois Conference to communication@ilcsda.org.