(formerly called MV Week). A week listed in the church calendar in March, observed in the local churches around the world, during which the church gives its entire interest to the spiritual welfare of its youth. The week is sponsored by the General Conference. It was named Missionary Volunteer Week in 1932. A special Youth Ministry Accent for the Adventist Youth Week of Prayer, containing a complete format of suggestions and sermon materials for use in every church during this special week, is distributed annually. As a result of Adventist Youth Week of Prayer, thousands of baptisms of youth have taken place around the world.
A week of devotions began in 1915 as a spring Week of Prayer in SDA schools. This proved so successful that the Autumn Council of 1920 recommended that each union arrange for an Adventist Youth Week in every church. The first Sabbath of Adventist Youth Week is designated as Adventist Youth Day.