This year’s LIT journey brought together a group of young leaders from different ministries in the Bekaa, all serving youth in their local churches and communities. It was a formative season marked by a shared desire to grow in ministry and serve young people well. Alongside teaching and discussion, they were given space for practical experience and reflection as they learned how to engage with youth more effectively. What stood out most throughout the year was their genuine love for the young people they are called to serve.
Learning to communicate with youth
One of the most common threads in the reflections was learning how to communicate with teenagers in a way that is clear, engaging, and interactive rather than simply informative.
Rina shared how one message early in the course stayed with her:
“The biggest highlight of LIT was when they spoke about how we can share our testimonies. They said that each one of us has a testimony and a story to tell. I also learned how to structure my talks and use methods that would catch my audience’s attention. I also learned how I can lead discussion groups better. All of these will be especially handy with the youth I serve at AXIS Youth Center.”
For Fadi, who leads the youth ministry at his local church in Zahle, this was especially seen in the way discussions were prepared and facilitated:
“I learned to structure a topic and present it in a way that encourages youth to participate and engage in discussion rather than just listen. While preparing a discussion with youth, I used some of the methods we learned in LIT to organize the topic, create discussion questions, and guide the conversation. It helped make the discussion more interactive.”
Timothy also shared, “One of the things we learned early on in LIT was how to write and share our testimonies. There was always a strong emphasis on not glorifying ourselves, but glorifying God for what He has done in our lives.
Applied in ministry and growing responsibility
Fadi also shared how both his LIT journey and his time volunteering at AXIS Youth Center have shaped his approach to youth work.
“The best part about working at AXIS was definitely spending time with the young people. I loved being involved in events and really getting to know them on a deeper level.”
He also shared that through the LIT program, he gained practical tools for mentoring youth, including how to structure meetings, prepare engaging topics, and connect with different personalities in meaningful ways.
Rima, who is now leading teenagers at her local church, described both practical and personal growth: “The practical part was truly unforgettable and exceptional. I learned to choose simple, clear words that teenagers can relate to, especially during worship. I also learned how to present lessons in a catchy and engaging way, using visuals to maintain attention and enhance understanding.”
Timothy also reflected on the importance of adapting to the people in front of you. He recalled being asked to lead an Arabic-speaking discussion group using material that had been prepared in English. Navigating the conversation in real time challenged him to apply what he had learned in LIT about flexibility in ministry and meeting youth where they are.
As this year’s participants move forward, we are grateful for the privilege of walking alongside them in this season of formation. Whether through LIT in the Bekaa or through local church ministry and AXIS Youth Center, we are reminded that God is at work in His Church, raising up leaders with a heart for young people.