A Teenager’s Search for God at YFC Camp
Name and identifying details have been changed to protect his privacy.
When 18-year-old “Adam” arrived at YFC Lebanon’s High School Camp, he came with questions.
“I am an agnostic,” he shared openly. “But I am trying to seek the truth and find the true religion.”
Adam had recently found himself rebuilding his life in Lebanon after leaving his home country because it was no longer safe for him and his family to remain there. After hearing about YFC camp through a friend, he decided to attend, remembering a positive experience he had at a Christian camp years earlier.
On his first day, however, he hesitated to join the worship sessions, talks, and discussion groups. After speaking with the camp director, who explained that no one would force him to participate yet encouraged him to be there if he wished, Adam decided to give it a chance.
What he discovered was different from what he expected.
“It was wonderful,” Adam said. “I met wonderful people. I learned more about Jesus Christ.”
A Place to Ask Questions
Yet what impacted him most was not only what he learned, but the way people welcomed him.
“You feel so accepted,” he explained. “You don’t feel judged. You’re heard and accepted as you are.”
Throughout the week, campers gathered in discussion groups where they could ask questions, share their thoughts, and reflect on the messages they heard. For Adam, those conversations became one of his favorite parts of camp.
“I love that we are never silent, and there are always thoughts to discuss.”
As someone who was still exploring what he believed, Adam appreciated being able to participate honestly.
“No, it wasn’t strange. Because I want to find the truth. I am searching for it wherever it is. I want to search for it here, in other religions, and maybe the truth is to be an agnostic. I’ll keep searching.”
A Conversation That Continued
During one of these conversations, Adam connected with youth leader Anthony, who encouraged him to continue seeking with an open heart.
“He had many questions and not many answers,” Anthony recalled. “But I saw that he genuinely wanted to know what is real. I appreciated that heart of searching.”
Their conversation continued beyond the discussion group. Anthony shared his own journey of asking questions and encouraged Adam to take a simple step: to ask God to reveal Himself.
Later, they prayed together.
“When Anthony prayed for me, I cried,” Adam shared. “He asked God to help me find the truth. He asked God to show me the right path. He said that God knows where I am, what I am thinking about, and what is in my heart.”
That moment stayed with Adam.
“He told God, ‘You never let anyone down, and You won’t let Adam down.’ That made me very emotional.”
A New Understanding
Although Adam says he is still searching, the conversations at camp challenged the way he understood God.
“I learned that God is not ruling. He is loving. His commandments are not to limit us or punish us, but to protect us from the consequences of sin.”
Looking back on his previous understanding of faith, Adam recognized a difference.
“I used to fear God a lot as a previous follower of a religion other than Christianity. But I was afraid of punishment. If there is a God, I think He is more forgiving than I thought.”
For Anthony, Adam’s story is a reminder of the importance of creating spaces where young people can wrestle with deep questions.
“Maybe he hasn’t given his life to Jesus yet, but I believe God is working in his life in a very big way.”
As camp ended, Adam knew it was a meaningful experience he would remember.
“I learned how social I am, how friendly I am, and how close to people I can be. It was very good to discover that.”
Asked to describe camp in one sentence, his answer was simple:
“It’s a wonderful experience that everybody should try.”