What is your ministry?
Our church currently has 15-20 youth leaders, and I'm one of them. I started to work with 13 to 15-year-old youth. It's a new challenge for me because, in the last couple of years, I was a youth leader for 16 to 18-year-old people. It is a bit different, but I really love my new group. I also play in the worship band as a bass guitarist, and we organise smaller events for the local Christian school.
When did you trust Christ?
I trusted Christ about four years ago after I graduated from high school. I was there for eight years; I heard stories from the Bible and sang the traditional songs. I prayed as well, but I never really thought about giving my whole life to Jesus. Then, the summer after graduating, my friend invited me to join the local youth group, and I started to go weekly. After a year, I went to a summer camp and realised that I needed God in every aspect of my life. I loved reading the Bible every day. So, I fell in love with God that summer.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
My first youth leader had a significant impact on my life. Bogi, my girlfriend, and her family have been very kind to me since we first met. Bogi and I started teaching Sunday school; we guided the kids a little bit and tried to get closer to God. It was very impactful. 2020 was a challenging year. Bogi went to London for eight months as a volunteer. We were separated for all that time, but God strengthened our relationship with each other and Him. Her faith grew so much, and I was happy for her and benefited from her growth.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
In 2023, I met lots of people, and I heard great stories about how people can think and live with God and how they deliver His message. It is also great to exchange thoughts with people from other countries, learn from them, share my story, and learn how I try to be a part of God's plan. I'd like to recharge, learn new things, meet new and old friends, listen to lectures, worship God with songs I already know, learn new songs, pray with brothers and sisters, and move closer to God.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I led a Sunday school group for two years with my girlfriend. I started to help my youth leader three years ago, and since then, I have been in the leadership group with others. In the last two years, we have led a group of 15-17-year-olds. We had a mentorship program; I had 3-4 teenagers. I helped them with their answers. But more importantly, I was there for them and spoke with them about their life, and I shared with them how I experienced God in my life.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I am responsible for delivering God's voice without changing it. It is a huge responsibility. I am only 24 years old and passionate about sharing how great life is with Him, but I need guidance because I don't know how to do many things. I have kids and teenagers who look up to me. So it is crucial to how I respond to things, how I handle my relationship with my girlfriend, how I speak with my friends, how I care for others, how I react to strange things, etc. I need to live my life in light of that.
