Across our different ministries, youth were reminded that the hope we celebrate at Christmas is not distant or theoretical, but present, personal, and meant to be lived out. From discipleship gatherings and community service to creative outreach and honest conversations, this season offered meaningful moments of faith, generosity, and connection.
School Ministry: Learning to Receive and Give
Girls’ Discipleship Group
On Saturday, December 20, the girls’ discipleship group gathered for a Christmas brunch centered on reflection, creativity, and spiritual connection. The morning included creative worship stations that allowed the girls to engage with God in personal and thoughtful ways, accompanied by a calm and reflective atmosphere.
The gathering also included a special gifting activity that went beyond exchanging presents. Each girl was intentionally paired with another, becoming prayer partners for one another through the coming months until March.
Boys’ Discipleship Group
The boys’ discipleship group was challenged to live out Christ’s love in action. They visited two families in need from the Nabaa area, an overpopulated and economically challenged neighborhood.
One family was facing the hardship of a mother receiving cancer treatment in Syria, while the other was dealing with severe living conditions. The youth contributed 25% of the cost of generous food packages.
These visits led to honest conversations about displacement and hardship, including one Lebanese youth sharing his own experience of being displaced from the South for the first time. Youth outside YFC were invited into our programs, and the boys’ group began exploring ways to continue walking alongside these families in the months ahead.
MYC and VTP: One Message, One Community
On Friday, December 19, Manara Youth Center (MYC) and the Vocational Training Program (VTP) came together for a joint Christmas celebration held on MYC grounds. The event welcomed around 100 youth from both centers and ran from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The youth were divided into mixed groups and participated in a lively and engaging Jeopardy-style game that encouraged teamwork and connection across programs. Two age-appropriate messages followed: one for younger participants and another for older youth, delivered by the National Director, both focusing on Christ as our Savior and the heart of the gospel. A time of reflection allowed the message to sink in before everyone shared an early dinner. The afternoon ended with the announcement of the winning team, wrapping up a joyful yet meaningful gathering.
AXIS Youth Center: Giving, Questioning, and Celebrating Christ
At AXIS Youth Center, Christmas was marked by creativity, outreach, and honest engagement with Scripture.
On December 12 and 13, the AXIS Christmas cooking club prepared 300 bowls of meghle (a traditional Lebanese dessert, often associated with celebration and new life) along with 600 packaged cookies. These were assembled into 300 Christmas packages, each including an AXIS sticker, a letter to God, and peanut butter. The following day, the youth distributed the packages to 300 people on the streets of Zahle, whether on foot or in passing cars.
One youth dressed as Santa, bringing joy and curiosity to the streets. Many people stopped to take photos, and some even asked who AXIS was and requested contact details to register their teenage children at the center.
Later, on December 19, AXIS hosted a unique Christmas gathering titled “Not a Christmas Event.” Rather than focusing on the familiar nativity story alone, the evening highlighted Old Testament promises and how they were fulfilled in Christ’s birth. Youth were welcomed by a fun parade before encountering different Bible characters who shared stories of promise, fulfillment, and purpose. This led into group discussions and one large conversation emphasizing that everything unfolding in the Old Testament pointed toward Christ: the true reason for the season.
During the discussion, youth were challenged to respond authentically rather than ideal answers. The evening ended with a gifting activity, shared dinner, and fellowship.
As we step into the new year, we are grateful for the ways God met youth across our ministries this Christmas. These moments remind us that Christ’s coming continues to shape lives through service, reflection, honest questions, and love lived out daily.