“And there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD.” Judges 2:10.
The Adventurer Club is a Seventh-day Adventist Church–sponsored ministry for children ages 4–9, in which the local conference, local church, church school, and home work together “to help children learn more about the Bible, health, and nature and to help them develop their people skills” (Adventurer Manual, p. XIII). Yet, instead of safeguarding this sacred purpose, children are now being taught to dance and rap in ways that closely resemble the very culture that is seen in the world.
The Ontario Adventurers, part of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists located in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, hosted a three-part drama titled “Esther the Brave” during their 2025 Camporee. Between scene changes, a rap team composed of young Adventist children performed rap music and dance routines to entertain the audience of other children. The crowd loved it and went wild. What was once condemned as worldly and corrupt is now being embraced at Seventh-day Adventist youth events.
Throughout the performance, parents and Adventurer leaders could be seen smiling, applauding, and openly enjoying the presentation. This response is deeply troubling, as these are the very individuals whom God has entrusted with the spiritual care, instruction, and protection of young children. They were not merely spectators; they were the organizers, approvers, and enablers of what took place. The rap display was planned, rehearsed, and officially endorsed. It is a shame what many youth programs have become. Today, Camporee events combine worldly music, rap, dancing, and theatrics with the worship of the Creator.
Who would allow this to happen? Who is authorizing it? Who would permit our children—those with the most impressionable and vulnerable minds—to be left unguarded at these gatherings? When the same styles of music and dance found in nightclubs are brought into our youth events, they are not made sacred or holy. They remain the same profane influences, merely repackaged and masquerading as something righteous.
Unfortunately, countless churches now promote a comfortable, stylish, and modernized version of the faith designed to accommodate the tastes and entertainment expectations of the unconverted. Rap, rock, and pop music are reshaping churches and turning them into worldly dance clubs that are devoid of God’s Holy Spirit. No amount of prayer can sanctify such displays, because God does not dwell in performances that imitate the spirit of the world rather than reflect the holiness of heaven.
Instead of shaping our youth after the manner of the world, we must deliberately turn them toward Christ-centered training that disciplines the mind, refines the character, and prepares them for sacred service. Only then can they become the “army of workers” God intends—rightly trained to carry the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour to the world and hasten the end of sin, suffering, and sorrow:
“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come—the end of suffering and sorrow and sin! How soon, in place of a possession here, with its blight of sin and pain, our children might receive their inheritance where ‘the righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever;’ where ‘the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick,’ and ‘the voice of weeping shall be no more heard.’ Psalm 37:29; Isaiah 33:24; 65:19” (Education, p. 271).
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The Bible never defines “worldly music” by genre, nor does it condemn rap, drums, call‑and‑response, or dance. Scripture evaluates the intent, message, and fruit of music—not its cultural form. In fact, the Bible affirms percussion, movement, and joyful expression in worship. Much of the discomfort some Adventists express toward rap or rhythmic praise doesn’t come from the Bible at all, but from the denomination’s inherited Eurocentric worship norms, where European classical styles were treated as “reverent” and African‑diasporic expressions—drums, syncopation, gospel choirs, expressive movement, even laughter—were labeled “worldly” or “irreverent.” That history is rooted in racism and colonial missionary attitudes, not theology. So when kids at a camporee joyfully participate in a positive, Christ‑centered call‑and‑response, the question isn’t whether the style is “worldly,” but whether the fruit is good. If it builds community, uplifts their faith, and reflects joy in God, then it aligns with Scripture far more than the cultural biases that condemn it.
KJV James 4:4
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
KJV 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness, and there can be no union between their followers. When Christians consented to unite with those who were but half converted from paganism, they entered upon a path which led further and further from the truth.{GC 45}
KJV 1 Peter 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. {AA 9}
Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to a wrong use, it is a terrible curse. It excites, but does not impart that strength and courage which the Christian can find only at the throne of grace while humbly making known his wants and, with strong cries and tears, pleading for heavenly strength to be fortified against the powerful temptations of the evil one. Satan is leading the young captive. Oh, what can I say to lead them to break his power of infatuation! He is a skillful charmer luring them on to perdition.5Testimonies For The Church 1, 496, 497.
Moral Independence,
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.
Many today have veils upon their faces. These veils are sympathy with the customs and practices of the world, which hide from them the glory of the Lord. God desires us to keep our eyes fixed upon Him, that we may lose sight of the things of this world. Mar 47.2
As the truth is brought into practical life, the standard is to be elevated higher and higher to meet the requirements of the Bible. This will necessitate opposition to the fashions, customs, practices, and maxims of the world. Worldly influences, like the waves of the sea, beat against the followers of Christ to sweep them away from the true principles of His meekness and grace; but we are to stand as firm as a rock to principle. It will require moral courage to do this, and those whose souls are not riveted to the eternal Rock will be swept away by the worldly current. We can stand firm only as our life is hid with Christ in God. Moral independence is wholly in place when opposing the world. By conforming entirely to the will of God, we shall be placed upon vantage ground, and shall see the necessity of decided separation from the customs and practices of the world. We are not to elevate our standard just a little above the world’s standard, but we are to make the distinction decidedly apparent…. Mar 47.3
It is no easy matter to gain the priceless treasure of eternal life. No one can do this and drift with the current of the world. He must come out from the world and be separate and touch not the unclean. No one can act like a worldling without being carried down by the current of the world. No one will make any upward progress without persevering effort. He who would overcome must hold fast to Christ. He must not look back, but keep the eye ever upward, gaining one grace after another. Individual vigilance is the price of safety…. Mar 47.4
The end of all things is at hand. There is need now of men armed and equipped to battle for God. Mar 47.5
This is very disheartening and painful to watch. The church (globally) clearly has abandoned the belief that we are living in the great day of atonement and this is yet another unfortunate manifestation of that. We are in dire need of revival and reformation.