In a time of unrest in Lebanon, a group of young people left behind the chaos and sought God together at a YFC Lebanon discipleship retreat on March 28 and 29. Just hours before, an airstrike had hit Beirut, but despite the fear, everyone chose to go up the mountain, both physically and spiritually.
Up on the Mountain
It was in this setting, up on the mountain, that they received a timely message about mountains, plains, and valleys. The retreat’s message was about mountains, plains, and valleys. Youth were reminded that spiritual highs or “mountaintop experiences” are not the goal. The true test of faith comes in the valleys–life’s trials and setbacks–and in the plains: the everyday moments of life.
Right after a talk on this, one of the girls approached the speaker. He shared. “She wanted a sign that God still loved her, and it took her 25 minutes to admit it—but when she did, she felt lighter. She even prayed out loud, which is huge for her.”
Tamara, another participant, had her own moment around the bonfire. She shared how, growing up, she resented both God and the people around her. Family struggles had forced her into living with her grandmother, only to lose her when she passed away. But when she found YFC and a church that truly reflected God’s love, her faith was reignited once more.
That night, several youths also shared their stories.
Disciplines for Every Day
To equip youth for living out their faith in the plains, the retreat featured three powerful workshops on spiritual disciplines: solitude, prayer, and confession. These workshops provided practical tools to help the teens integrate faith into their daily lives.
Through the workshop on solitude, we explained that true solitude isn’t just about seeking control or recharging through activities like prayer or singing. It’s an act of surrender to God where we allow Him to speak. The youth spent time in silence, practicing the discipline of solitude, quieting their hearts before God.
During the workshop on prayer, we introduced the practice of “praying the Bible.” The teens spent ten minutes reading Psalm 23, stopping and reflecting after each verse, and then turning it into a prayer.
In the third workshop, youth were reminded of how confession brings us back into a closer relationship with God. They were also introduced to the practice of the examen, a five-step prayer to help teens reflect on their day, recognize where they need to confess, and take steps toward spiritual growth.
Returning to the Plains
As the retreat came to a close, the youth returned to their “plains”—the ordinary, day-to-day moments of life where faith is most often tested. The retreat had offered them a glimpse of what it looks like to live faithfully, even in the most difficult times. The real challenge now is to live out what they’ve learned and to continue seeking God.
Nabil, 17, one of the participants, also shared:
The message at the retreat made me realize how often the Bible links closeness to God to mountains. Although these ‘mountain moments’ with God are special, real faith is lived out in the plains and valleys. As soon as I got back from camp, life got overwhelming and my relationship with God started to slip. So the retreat’s lesson to keep seeking God on my own has been on my mind lately, independently, not just during YFC’s events and the supportive community there.
Tarek, 17, who was nearing the age limit for our programs, also shared his thoughts:
The discipleship retreat was honestly great, like all YFC camps. Since 2021, the community there has been a family to me. Soon, I will be too old for its programs. I shared with a youth leader that I depend on YFC to help me draw closer to God, and he encouraged me to be rooted in Christ on my own. His words stuck with me.
The leaders of the retreat, filled with hope and anticipation, pray that these teens will continue growing in the Lord and be a light to those around them.
