It has been stated that the Assembly Band Movement is the Church’s department of pastoral care. Its purpose is to see that each member of The Church of God is properly cared for. “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Cor. 12:25-27). The word “particular” from this text is used to identify or distinguish individual members of a specified group or class. With this special issue of The Evening Light being dedicated to the youth of The Church of God, the ABM department would like to encourage these particular younger members of the Body of Christ in the work of the Church.
There are many Bible verses that reference youth: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psa. 119:9). “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). When Saul was rejected as king because he chose to disobey the Lord, the Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 13:14, “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” God chose a youth named, David! 1 Samuel 16:7, 11-13 reads, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart…And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” David could testify of God’s faithfulness from his youth and throughout his life. Though he had made some mistakes and had even failed God, he could say, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psa. 37:25).
In the minutes of the 23rd Annual Assembly, September 12-18, 1928, reference is made to the youth of the Church:
With Reference To The Interests
Of Our Young People
We, your Committee on Questions and Subjects, are pleased to make a proposal with reference to a subject of interest to the young people of the Church everywhere.
- We believe that our Young People could be far
happier in the service of the Lord, of far greater value
to the work of the Church, and themselves rooted
and grounded in the Church, if they were organized into
bands, for prayer, for Bible study, for Christian service. - We propose that these bands be known as “Victory
Leaders.” (Upon This Rock, Vol 2, pp. 315, 316).
The Victory Leaders Band is in full operation today encouraging
the youth of the Church in the service of the Lord. Let
us prayerfully get behind our young people with our support
and cheer them on for the work of the last days Church of God!
Rah! Rah! Rah! For Jesus we’ll win!
Fighting the devil, we’ll never give in!
You do your best saints! We’ll do the rest saints!
Rah! Rah! For Jesus most High!