If you stepped into one of our discipleship groups, it might feel quite ordinary at first. Nothing may seem dramatic on the surface, but then something happens: a question, an answer, a confession, a prayer. And then you can’t unsee it. God is present in the room. As we look back across this year in YFC Lebanon, from schools in Beirut to AXIS Youth Center in Zahle to our youth centers in Burj Hammoud, we can’t unsee it either. God has touched many young lives through our discipleship ministry.
School Ministry
As the year draws to a close, we can see the growth in both the girls’ and boys’ discipleship groups. Over time, they have become more comfortable with one another and are showing a growing sense of care and attentiveness. Many are also beginning to take real steps in their faith, with some serving in their churches.
Some of the most meaningful moments this year came unexpectedly, especially during times of crisis. When war broke out, one of the boys’ sessions shifted from its planned topic to an open conversation about what was happening around them. The discussion turned toward questions of conflict, media narratives, and how these realities are understood in Lebanese culture. In that space, deeper reflections emerged. One of the boys wrestled openly with identity, belonging, and what it means to follow Jesus within strong cultural and ethnic expectations. As he spoke about the tension between loyalty to his background and the call to love one’s enemy, others connected his struggle to their own experiences. Eventually, the room grew quiet, with no need for resolution, as everyone sat with what had been shared. These are the kinds of moments that have quietly shaped the year for both groups.
AXIS Youth Center
Despite a year marked by instability and war-related disruption, there has been a steady sense of commitment. Two new groups were added alongside the existing ones, and leaders have been encouraged by the consistent attendance and openness. In one case, a student who had missed a session later returned and asked specifically for a make-up meeting. In another, during a deep discussion, a youth asked for a leader’s testimony not only for themselves but so a friend could hear it. At times, vulnerability also came from leaders, such as when one shared a personal prayer request during a difficult day, and the group responded with compassion and seriousness.
There have also been quieter signs of growth. One teenager who initially described himself as having little faith later asked to pray out loud for the first time. Soon after, during an outdoor activity, he noticed another student who was struggling and chose to comfort and pray with him. Others have begun attending church more consistently and engaging more intentionally with Scripture and one another.
Manara Youth Center
At Manara Youth Center in Burj Hammoud, discipleship continues among young people facing significant challenges. Many come from underprivileged backgrounds, and the vast majority are Syrian refugees from Muslim families. Yet in the midst of these circumstances, we are encouraged to see many choosing to take their faith seriously and follow Jesus.
Both the boys’ and girls’ groups have shown a growing hunger to go deeper in Scripture. Rather than staying at a surface level, they consistently express a desire to continue learning, asking questions, and engaging with the Bible more closely. They are studying Scripture step by step, discussing it together, and being encouraged to explore further on their own.
One girl asked her leader for additional resources to study the Bible more deeply on her own. Among the boys, there is a growing willingness to ask mature questions and to speak openly about faith, including a passion for sharing the Gospel with others. Moreover, a recent retreat helped youth return with renewed commitment to their spiritual journey.
As we close, we leave you with the words of one of our youth workers: “When I look at how broken some of the students are, I can’t stop trying to point them to the One who can heal that brokenness. I really feel they just need Christ. At the end of the day, nothing I do will make a difference unless God Himself steps in.”
These words capture something we have felt again and again this year. We are not the ones bringing transformation, but we are invited to be present, to walk alongside, and to keep pointing to Christ. And in that place, we trust that God is faithfully at work, even on the days we do not see the full fruit of it.