News Story
YUTCAH 2024 Opens with a Spirited Parade of Nations
Published | 13 July 2024
The ceremony commenced at 7:00 pm with a rousing parade of nations. Hundreds of youth attendees, local members, and Caribbean Union Church leaders donned their national flags...
The University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) played host to a vibrant and spirited opening ceremony for the YUTCAH 2024 Conference on Thursday, July 11th. YUTCAH, which stands for "Youth United Through Christ, Aiming for Heaven," is a Caribbean Union Conference Youth Ministry event designed to foster spiritual growth and unity among young people.
The ceremony commenced at 7:00 pm with a rousing parade of nations. Hundreds of youth attendees, local members, and Caribbean Union Church leaders donned their national flags, transforming the USC Auditorium into a sea of Caribbean pride. This "Army of Youth," as they were described, set the tone for an evening that celebrated faith and regional unity.
The event buzz had been building all week, with attendees, particularly from the Eastern Caribbean, arriving on campus as early as Monday, July 8th. The opening address was delivered by The Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Minister Cummings used a powerful metaphor, reminding attendees that "their lives are a canvas, that they have to paint." He emphasized the positive influence of the church in the community and lauded the parade as a beautiful expression of Caribbean unity.
Other prominent figures in attendance included Mr Esmond Forde, Deputy Speaker of the House and Government Member for Tunapuna, and The Honourable Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Education and Representative for St. Ann's East.
Dr. Kern Tobias, President of the Caribbean Union Conference, expressed his delight with the event's turnout and exhorted participants to not only have fun but to also prioritize their spiritual growth during the conference.
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Local Gospel artist Bj'orn Pierre sang one of his hits at the opening session. |
The Yutcah logo was featured prominently all evening. |
YUTCAH 2024 runs from July 11th to 24th, offering a variety of activities and programs for young people. The opening ceremony can be viewed in its entirety on the Caribbean Union Conference's YouTube page.
