From October 2 to 5, 2025, over 300 Adventist university students from across Europe convened at the Cambrils Park Resort in Spain for the AMiCUS 2025: ARISE Intensive Congress. This gathering marked a profound turning point in the spiritual journeys of many attendees.
Organized by AMiCUS—the Adventist Ministry for University Students under the Youth Ministries Department—the event aimed to cultivate spaces for students throughout Europe to connect, reflect, and encounter Jesus in ways that foster true discipleship. In Spain, AMiCUS operates as part of AEGUAE (the Association of Adventist University Students and Graduates of Spain) and JAE (the Youth Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Spain), collaborating to support and strengthen the faith of students navigating public academic environments.
An Intensive Spiritual Growth Experience
In partnership with the international ministry Light Bearers, the ARISE Intensive program offered participants an in-depth biblical journey through the curriculum titled The Story, which presents the Scriptures as a unified narrative of redemption, encompassing seven pivotal chapters: Pre-Creation, Creation, Fall, Covenant, Messiah, Church, and Recreation.
Inspiring speakers, including Ty Gibson, David Asscherick, Angelo Grasso, and Levi Braedan, led the main sessions, inviting young minds to rediscover the character of God and to grasp their identity and purpose within His divine narrative. Conducted in English with simultaneous translation, these sessions wove together theological instruction, personal reflection, and dynamic group interactions, creating an environment ripe for profound spiritual development.
The Spanish Delegation: 75 Purpose-Driven Young People
Among the diverse attendees was a delegation of 75 passionate young Spaniards hailing from various autonomous communities. Their presence exemplified the burgeoning commitment of Adventist youth in Spain to actively and meaningfully embody their faith in academic and professional spheres. For many attendees, this congress became a time of spiritual rejuvenation and communal fellowship. As one participant from the Spanish delegation expressed, "ARISE Intensive helped me see the Bible as a living story and to better understand my place in God's plan."
Connection, Worship, and Community
The program transcended mere study sessions, incorporating moments of worship, praise, recreation, and fellowship. Evenings were filled with opportunities for connection in spaces such as the Marketplace of Ideas + Night Lounge, offering board games, sports activities, and sessions of music and prayer. The picturesque setting of Cambrils Park Resort, just moments from the Mediterranean Sea, provided an idyllic backdrop for rest, reflection, and community bonding, harmonizing natural beauty with a rich spiritual experience.
A Story That Continues
The AMiCUS 2025: ARISE Intensive Congress left an indelible imprint on the hearts of its participants. For many, it represented a pivotal moment in their faith journey: an invitation to continue broadcasting God's story on their campuses and within their communities. "We aspire for every student to be a witness of Christ's love in their surroundings," affirmed the organizers. "This congress served as a reminder that we are all part of a grand narrative—the story of a God who loves us, redeems us, and calls us to transform the world with His message."
Through this transformative experience, AMiCUS reaffirms its mission to inspire, equip, and mobilize a generation of Adventist youth—young individuals who embrace their faith with conviction, purpose, and hope.
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