This summer, Thimar’s church discipleship ministry Salt & Light hosted family conferences and children’s camps across Lebanon in collaboration with local church partners. More than 400 children, teens, and families took part. After another difficult winter marked by war, these camps and conferences provided Salt & Light the opportunity to walk alongside churches and offer spaces for people to come together for a time of needed rest and renewal. We rejoiced in witnessing attendees grow in their relationship with God and saw Psalm 118:15 come to life: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” Psalm 118:15 

Family Conferences 

As part of its mission, Salt & Light supports two church plants in Lebanon.

Each year, these churches host a three-day family conference that families eagerly look forward to attending. A visiting preacher noted just how much these conferences mean to attendees. For some, the conferences remind them of when they chose to follow Jesus. For others, they’re a reminder of their baptism or when they chose to draw closer to the Lord. 

One of the conferences welcomed 79 people and featured sessions on spiritual revival, the obstacles we face, and what it means to serve the Lord more fully.

One of the attendees was Sirine*. In the months leading up to the conference, she struggled with doubt, wondering if God really heard her prayers. She hadn’t told anyone about her doubts — not even her pastor.

During the conference, a guest speaker spoke about his own testimony of transformation. As Sirine listened, something shifted inside her. Afterwards, she spoke with her pastor. She said she finally had a clear, personal encounter with Christ, and she left with a sense that God was calling her to evangelize and do great things for Him.

During the last session, there was time for sharing testimonies and prayers. A woman cried while talking about how God spoke to her through the story of Jonah. She said that sometimes we choose a different path for our lives, one far from His will. We run away, but God, by His grace, redirects us. Scripture led her to a deeper understanding of God’s will for her life. Several other people also shared their testimonies, each one providing a small window into how God worked that week.

At the other conference, 62 people gathered under the theme “The Need for One”. 

During a session, one guest speaker delivered encouraging remarks to the congregation.

“I have spoken in churches that have existed for years, and each time I visit them, they are still the same, the same songs and the same people,” he said. “But when I visit this church, I cannot help but notice the growth and change. I see new faces every time.”

One of the attendees also shared about the impact the conference had on them.

“Some years ago, my pastor invited me to church, and I heard things I had never heard before,” the attendee said. “Soon after, I experienced the Lord’s salvation. During this conference, I realized how much the Lord has been working in my life and helping me grow in holiness. My prayer is that, just as He changed my life, He will also use me to bring change and hope in others.”

Children and Teen Camps 

Alongside these two church plants, Salt & Light also supports churches with children and youth ministries. Throughout the year, Salt & Light hosts training workshops for churches, which culminated this summer with a season of camps and day programs.

One of the programs focused on bullying and kindness. Leaders divided children into five small groups. They moved joyfully from one station to another, learning how to pray, memorizing Bible verses, listening to the story of Paul and Silas in prison, enjoying outdoor games and painting, and making DIY bracelets.

During one discussion, a child shared that someone had once called him ugly. Those words stayed with him. But then a leader reminded him that he is loved and seen by God. Other children also shared encouragement, telling him that he is handsome and kind. Such kindness lifted the child’s spirit. Throughout the day, he played with confidence and energy, showing renewed joy and self-worth. The children showed similar warmth to a child with autism, helping him feel accepted and cared for.

At another camp, a group of Syrian refugee children found respite from their daily worries. Under the theme of “Love Others,” they joined children in games, laughter, and simple lessons about caring for one another.

The highlight of the summer was “Steady,” a four-day camp where 100 teens from 30 local churches came together to learn how to build their lives on a solid foundation. One boy, who had never attended such a camp before, came carrying quiet questions about who he was and where he belonged. He later said he felt truly seen. Though he didn’t usually attend church, and had no way to get there, he showed up the following Sunday. When his camp leader spoke about the week, he stood up in front of the congregation to share how much it had meant to him.

A girl at the same camp had been quietly wrestling with a decision about changing schools, unsure if she could hear God’s answer. After a session on prayer and decision-making, she approached her leader with a smile of relief. She said she finally had the peace she had been looking for. She hadn’t realized, until then, that God could speak into moments like this. 

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For more than 25 years, Thimar has walked alongside local churches across the Middle East as they share the gospel and support their communities. If you would like to join us in empowering the local church in the region, consider donating.