Last Saturday, March 12, was a bustling ministry day for YFC Lebanon, with several events happening simultaneously. Among them was a special Easter one-day event organized by the Vocational Training Program and Manara Youth Center for 104 underprivileged youth from Burj Hammoud, most of whom come from a majority religion background.
The event was held at Dar Al Awlad, a shelter for at-risk children nestled atop a hill just ten minutes from Beirut. Though geographically close, the location felt like a world away from the dense, noisy streets of Burj Hammoud. Cool breezes, pine trees, and a serene natural landscape created a peaceful setting for a day filled with laughter, fellowship, and truth.
An Invitation to Reflect on Love
At one point, the youth were asked to quietly write down what they expected from those they loved. As guest speaker Joanna reflected on their responses, she shared:
“Some of you expected at least half of what you gave others in return. Others hoped they would stay by your side and never let you down. One of you even expected them to do anything for you. But none of you dared to expect that they would die for you. And yet — this is exactly what Jesus did for you on the cross.”
Joanna went on to explain the reality of sin and its consequences: how it separates us from a holy God, and how no amount of good deeds can erase it. Without the Lord of life, we remain spiritually dead. But as the timeless words of John 3:16 declare, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Sincere Encounters and Honest Questions
In a moment of somber reflection, the youth closed their eyes — some perhaps truly considering the weight of this Truth for the first time. Afterward, as the youth gathered in their discussion groups, several sought out youth workers privately with questions and prayers.
One youth worker shared, “A young man, who is usually not of many words, came to me afterward. He had raised his hand during the altar call. He told me his father had passed away two years ago, and since then, he hadn’t stepped inside a church. So we prayed together, and it felt like a new door opened for him. We’ll stay in touch.”
Another youth worker shared how she prayed with three girls, one of whom approached her in tears. Beyond these tender moments of prayer, many youth came forward with honest, heartfelt questions about Christianity, the Trinity, and the assurance of salvation.
A Youth’s Personal Reflection
As the discussion groups wrapped up, one of the youth, 18-year-old Shady, reflected on the day’s impact:
“My favorite part was when we were asked to write what we expected from those we love. Some people shared their answers out loud, and it was nice to hear how they thought about it. I also loved the verse that spoke about God’s eternal love for us [Jeremiah 31:3]. The speaker explained how God’s love is different from anyone else’s. While people’s love has an end, God’s love is eternal. And that means a lot to me, as someone who came to Christ and was baptized five years ago.”
The day came to a close with a shared meal, followed by the much-anticipated announcement of the winners of the big game. Yet beyond the games, prizes, and laughter, the most important takeaway was the seed of God’s eternal love planted in many hearts that day — a reminder that in a world of conditional affection and broken promises, there is a Savior whose love knows no limits.