At 21 years old, Elijah has come a long way since he first walked through YFC’s doors as a teenager. Over the years, YFC became a place where he found community, grew in his faith, and built relationships with leaders who invested in his life. Now a graduate, Elijah returned to this year’s summer camp as part of the work crew, serving the younger generation in the same way others once served him.
During the camp, Elijah was invited to share his testimony with the middle school students.
This is his story, in his own words:
Finding the Courage to Share My Story
I never imagined that I would one day stand on a stage and share my testimony with hundreds of middle school students.
For years, it was just something I shared with my closest friends. Telling my story in front of a crowd was never something I thought I would do. But when one of the youth leaders asked me to share during this year’s summer camp, I thought, “Why not?” I had never done it before, but I wanted to learn how to share my story with confidence.
At first, I didn’t think my story was anything special. I had lived it for so long that it felt normal to me. But that night, I realized that God could use my story in ways I never expected.
Before going on stage, I was nervous. I tried moving around to release some of the stress before I finally ran to the center of the stage. I stood there with the iPad in front of me, and honestly, I don’t even remember everything I said. But after I finished, one of the leaders, Elie, who always tells it like it is, looked at me and said, “It was perfect.”
A few minutes later, after worship and prayer time, many students came forward to pray with the leaders. As we were getting ready to sleep, three boys approached me near one of the rooms. One of them suddenly ran toward me, hugged me tightly, and said, “Please be there next year.”
That night, I realized that I had taken my story for granted. I thought it was ordinary, but God used it to encourage others and remind them of who they are in Him.
“I didn’t think my story was anything special.”
The Struggles I Carried
I shared about growing up in a Christian home and attending Sunday school from a young age. I knew the songs, the Bible stories, and the Christian environment. I told the students that Jesus was my best friend when I was a child.
But I also shared about the struggles I faced.
One of my biggest struggles was growing up as a South Sudanese refugee in Lebanon. Because of my background, I experienced discrimination as a child. Over time, it affected my confidence and caused me to become very introverted. I felt rejected and struggled with where I belonged.
My family also experienced the impact of Lebanon’s economic crisis. There were times when we did not know if we would be able to continue our education or even have enough for the next month.
As the oldest child in my family, I felt a huge responsibility. I wanted to protect my younger siblings. When they suffered, I felt helpless because I didn’t know what I could do. I learned to hide my worries because everyone around me already had their own burdens.
“As the oldest child in my family, I felt a huge responsibility.”
Being told to be a role model for my siblings was an honor, but it was also a heavy responsibility for a young teenager.
Learning to Trust God
But I forgot something important: God.
I forgot the words of Scripture that say, “Cast all your cares on Him,” and “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.” I knew about God, but I wasn’t fully trusting Him.
I realized that knowing God is one thing, but trusting Him is another.
When I returned to prayer and started sharing my worries with God again, I began seeing how faithful He truly is. Week after week, God provided for my family. Today, I am studying at a prestigious university with a scholarship, and my siblings have also received opportunities to continue their education.
“But I forgot something important: God.”
God reminded me that He is bigger than every problem I face.
He is not just a distant God. He is my Father. A Father greater than any president or king. And my true identity is found in Christ.
That is the message I wanted the students at camp to hear: God created them in His image, He knows them, and He is waiting for them to open the door to Him.
From Camper to Servant
For years, YFC has been a place where I experienced this truth. I first came to YFC when I was a teenager, and I have grown through camps, discipleship groups, mentors, and leaders who invested in my life.
YFC became like a family to me where I experienced love and acceptance without discrimination. The leaders who served me when I was a camper helped shape who I am today.
This year, I returned to camp not as a camper, but as part of the work crew. And I realized that I was now doing what those leaders had done for me: building relationships, encouraging young people, and showing them the love of Christ.
YFC’s impact on my life has been enormous. The camps refresh everyone who attends, and the discipleship and mentorship help young people grow closer to God.
“YFC became like a family to me where I experienced love and acceptance without discrimination. The leaders who served me when I was a camper helped shape who I am today.”
One day, I hope to continue serving with YFC and investing in the lives of young people, just as others invested in mine.
That is because I know firsthand what it means for a young person to find a place where they belong.