Dear Church

After listening to the stories of eight young adults, Pastor Aren concludes the Dear Church series by turning his microphone towards new voices. He also reflects on the journey, and asks, "What's next?"

Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to all who have made this project possible, including Adam Washington, Taji Saleem, SECC Administration, SECC Youth, LLUC Media, many pastors, and each of our guests. We look forward to what's next. seccyouth.com/dearchurch

In middle school, Abel discovered his passion. Then he learned how his Church felt about it. Listen as our youngest, and final, young adult guest shares his story of navigating life, calling, and faith as a member of the Gen Z generation.

Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and Taji Saleem for design and website support. Our music is from Blue Dot Sessions. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/dearchurch.

From a young age, Pedro demonstrated special gifts that his family could clearly see--gifts that eventually led him to becoming a successful physician. What they couldn't see, however, was what Pedro was truly experiencing.

Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and Taji Saleem for design and website support. Our music is from ⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠seccyouth.com/dearchurch⁠⁠.

When Jenn was in college, a professor unexpectedly told her something that altered the course of her life. Now, after years of living out of the result, she is realizing just how great that impact is--as she faces a challenge she never saw coming.

Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and LLUC Media for their recording space. Taji Saleem designed our cover art and Blue Dot Sessions provides our music. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/dearchurch.

Marriage and family have always been firm pillars of the Church. So what happens when an Adventist love story falls apart? This week, one young adult shares about the reality of divorce for young adults by detailing his own journey of loss, grief, and eventually discovering the darkness is only temporary.

Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and to Taji Saleem for our cover art. Music is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/DearChurch.

From the ages of 17 to 26, Ezrica served as a missionary all across America. Now she's faced with the question: does she regret it? Listen as Ezrica shares boldly about her experience as an immigrant, a missionary, and a black woman in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support and to LLUC Media for providing their recording space. Cover art by Taji Saleem. Music from Blue Dot Sessions. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/DearChurch.

Carla became a record setting athlete in both academy and college, and continued to excel as an adult. Then one tragic accident seemed to change everything. Today, the story of one of Adventism's greatest competitors, who discovered how strong she and her community truly are.

Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Special thanks to Adam Washington for production support. Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Envato Elements. Cover art by Taji Saleem. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/dearchurch.

*At the 11:07 mark, Carla describes the moment she was the victim of a drive-by shooting. She shares about seeing the flashing of a gun, hearing gunshots, and being hit in her chest before spending six days in the hospital. Take caution in deciding whether to listen.

When Pastor Aren attended a vespers for Pacific Islander churches, he expected to hear great music and enjoy a good meal. What he didn't expect was to discover one of the most profound testimonies he'd ever heard. Today, the story of the Adventist young adult who shared it.

Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Music courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Cover art by Taji Saleem. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/DearChurch.

Ten years ago, Kelly considered a career path in ministry. Then she watched as the Church gave her what felt like a resounding rejection. Now, Kelly shares her journey with the Church that goes much deeper, and in more directions, than Aren could have imagined.

Dear Church is engineered by JO Cordero and hosted and edited by Aren Rennacker. Music courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Cover art by Taji Saleem. To learn more, visit seccyouth.com/dearchurch.

"If you could say anything to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, what would you say?" This is the question Pastor Aren Rennacker had for young adults in the SDA community. The answers he began to receive led him to a deeper journey than he expected.

In our first episode of ten, listen as Pastor Aren speaks with various young adults, as well as one of the leading voices for young adult involvement in the SDA Church. Thank you for listening and for subscribing. New episodes posted each Sunday evening.