A four day Youth Rally, to coincide with Independence Day, is currently underway for the young people of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Samoa.

Starting Saturday 29 May until Tuesday 1 June, the annually celebrated rally will bring together the youth of Upolu and Savaii for meetings, sharing and discipleship.

The theme of this year’s rally is “Go and Shine” with the Youth Ministry Mission to lead young people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, and help them embrace His call to discipleship. 

In an interview with the S.D.A Youth Director Pastor Tino Okesene, he told the Samoa Observer that the rally is usually part of their preparations for marching at the Independence Day celebrations hosted every year.

"Our vision is to lead all vibrant Adventist youth and people... saving relationships with Jesus and help them with discipleship. The youth rally is an annual event and it’s always the weekend before Independence Day. The reason and purpose is it's a part of our preparation for the usual march during the state celerbations,” said Pastor Okesene. 

“The program on [Saturday] starts at 8 am with the registration of all the youths from Upolu and Savaii. Everyone will receive a wrist band as verification and confirmation that he or she is a youth member. After the registration then we have games and varieties of different activities for the whole day."

Pastor Okesene said Sunday's programme will include speakers from the public sector such as Health and Police, to talk about various subjects such as Law, Protection, Leadership, Development. 

“On Monday, that is our sports day, and Tuesday morning we will have our own Independence ceremony. 

"We requested the Police band help to raise our Samoan Flag at six in the morning before the government raises Samoa's Flag in front of the government building. 

"Our Flag will be raised by our S.D.A. President Pastor Sione Ausage while all the youths are witnessing this special ceremony. After that we have other activities and finalise our program with words of encouragement to all the youth members to remain strong in different challenges they face in the future.” 

The Youth Director said that the camp fee is $10 per person and that covers expenses for the rally.