26 Feb 2025, 20:19Charlene MartinCorby, North Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom
'The Love Story’ Connects Over 300 NEC Teens
With the new year comes a new team and a new agenda for the teens of the North England Conference (NEC). The Teens’ Advisory, now led by Elder Horace Radcliff, began the year with the Area 4 Teens’ Day at Corby Seventh-day Adventist Church on 15th February 2025.
As the day began, young people filled the sanctuary, with over 300 teens attending. They engaged with their leaders and fellowshipped with others their age from across the NEC. The day, themed The Love Story, saw numerous teens gather for praise, worship, and fellowship.
From the musicians to the singers and even the hosts, Nkosi Ndlovu and Makhosi Nsingo of Leicester Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, the day was well-organised. The teens worked alongside the Teens’ Advisory, whose desire, as Elder Radcliff shared, is “to focus on consistency and quality discipleship to help the teens stay engaged, grow in their faith, and become leaders in their own right.”
Growing in faith was certainly on the agenda as Sabbath School began with in-depth discussions on the four types of love: eros (romantic love), agape (the selfless love of God), philia (friendship love), and storge (family love). Bible stories illustrating each type of love were discussed in groups, with representatives sharing key learning points—seeds that will hopefully continue to grow.
As the program continued, teens and parents were introduced to the aims of the Youth and Teens Ministries, which will work alongside each other to support young people in the NEC. As teens transition into youth, they will receive holistic support for the real issues on their hearts. Youth Ministries Director Pastor Derek Simon shared the youth vision: Connected People, Connected Purpose, Connected Praise. Elder Radcliff then introduced the teens' theme, Steps with Christ, along with their mission: to equip, empower, and inspire teens to live out their faith boldly and grow spiritually.
The speaker of the hour, Kuda Gonese, the Teens Ministries Leader at Leicester Central Seventh-day Adventist Church and a theology student at Newbold College, delivered a message titled My Love Story. Brother Gonese eloquently led the congregation through John 4:7-11, opening the topic of God’s love for us. He emphasised that we are already loved by God, who demonstrates the greatest love, and that no insecurity can separate us from Him. This message resonated throughout the day.
Lunch was served, enabling many to stay for the full day and continue in fellowship—building relationships in a space where they could feel seen, heard, and spiritually refreshed.
The afternoon program began with a prayer garden, led by Sister Hyacinth Gayle from Sheffield Seventh-day Adventist Church, the NEC Teens’ Prayer Warrior. The teens shared prayer requests and were invited to pray for one another. Throughout the day, they had the opportunity to visit the prayer room, pray together, or receive prayer. The program concluded with small group discussions on love vs. lust and how these concepts impact their lives.
The day ended with a fun-filled social and popcorn. This will not be a one-time experience—the goal, according to the Teens’ Advisory, is to keep the momentum going and continue supporting the teens.
If you would like to support NEC Teens Ministries, join our Patreon by following this link: www.patreon.com/c/NECTeens.
With the new year comes a new team and a new agenda for the teens of the North England Conference (NEC). The Teens’ Advisory, now led by Elder Horace Radcliff, began the year with the Area 4 Teens’ Day at Corby Seventh-day Adventist Church on 15th February 2025.
As the day began, young people filled the sanctuary, with over 300 teens attending. They engaged with their leaders and fellowshipped with others their age from across the NEC. The day, themed The Love Story, saw numerous teens gather for praise, worship, and fellowship.
From the musicians to the singers and even the hosts, Nkosi Ndlovu and Makhosi Nsingo of Leicester Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, the day was well-organised. The teens worked alongside the Teens’ Advisory, whose desire, as Elder Radcliff shared, is “to focus on consistency and quality discipleship to help the teens stay engaged, grow in their faith, and become leaders in their own right.”
Growing in faith was certainly on the agenda as Sabbath School began with in-depth discussions on the four types of love: eros (romantic love), agape (the selfless love of God), philia (friendship love), and storge (family love). Bible stories illustrating each type of love were discussed in groups, with representatives sharing key learning points—seeds that will hopefully continue to grow.
As the program continued, teens and parents were introduced to the aims of the Youth and Teens Ministries, which will work alongside each other to support young people in the NEC. As teens transition into youth, they will receive holistic support for the real issues on their hearts. Youth Ministries Director Pastor Derek Simon shared the youth vision: Connected People, Connected Purpose, Connected Praise. Elder Radcliff then introduced the teens' theme, Steps with Christ, along with their mission: to equip, empower, and inspire teens to live out their faith boldly and grow spiritually.
The speaker of the hour, Kuda Gonese, the Teens Ministries Leader at Leicester Central Seventh-day Adventist Church and a theology student at Newbold College, delivered a message titled My Love Story. Brother Gonese eloquently led the congregation through John 4:7-11, opening the topic of God’s love for us. He emphasised that we are already loved by God, who demonstrates the greatest love, and that no insecurity can separate us from Him. This message resonated throughout the day.
Lunch was served, enabling many to stay for the full day and continue in fellowship—building relationships in a space where they could feel seen, heard, and spiritually refreshed.
The afternoon program began with a prayer garden, led by Sister Hyacinth Gayle from Sheffield Seventh-day Adventist Church, the NEC Teens’ Prayer Warrior. The teens shared prayer requests and were invited to pray for one another. Throughout the day, they had the opportunity to visit the prayer room, pray together, or receive prayer. The program concluded with small group discussions on love vs. lust and how these concepts impact their lives.
The day ended with a fun-filled social and popcorn. This will not be a one-time experience—the goal, according to the Teens’ Advisory, is to keep the momentum going and continue supporting the teens.
If you would like to support NEC Teens Ministries, join our Patreon by following this link: www.patreon.com/c/NECTeens.
