BAYDA exists to equip and empower an emerging generation of youth leaders to impact their church and community.

Vision

BAYDA envisions youth leaders who are equipped, local church youth ministries that are thriving and effective, communities that are impacted, and youth ministry resources that are relevant to an urban context. We envision this being accomplished through the following ways:

• Training—Regional training events held around the North American Division that will provide tools and necessary resources to help local church youth leaders tackle critical youth-related issues and germane youth ministry situations; this will also include online youth ministry resources and training opportunities via online coaching. (i.e. a one-day training event in the Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, and West)
• Networking—A developed system that allows those working in youth ministry to collaborate on ministry ideas and to support one another through various media on an ongoing basis. (i.e. youth ministry blog or through a website)
• Programming—Reproducible youth ministry programs and models made available through training events or online services; identifying innovative ministry models proven to be effective. (i.e. easy to reproduce programs for missions, discipleship, outreach, service projects, youth rallys, AY etc.)
• Professional Development—Basic youth ministry curriculum and certification process that will enhance the professional quality of youth ministry; including an advocacy strategy for youth ministry education in Adventist colleges and universities. (i.e. continuing education certificates for completing specific youth ministry criteria—level one, level two, level three etc.)
• Advocacy—A commitment to raising the awareness of the Adventist Church as it relates to the importance of youth ministry in local congregations; a commitment to identifying and providing opportunities when possible for the professional advancement of  diverse youth workers throughout the denomination. (i.e. written articles to key Adventist journals, papers etc., through forums and discussions; raising awareness of the need for more diverse youth professionals in certain key spots in denominational employment—youth pastors, youth directors, youth ministry professors etc.)