A total of 143 Seventh-day Adventist young people from Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, the Sudan and Cyprus, as well as Britain, Tanzania and South Africa, gathered recently in this resort city to share a common faith in Jesus.
A total of 143 Seventh-day Adventist young people from Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, the Sudan and Cyprus, as well as Britain, Tanzania and South Africa, gathered recently in this resort city to share a common faith in Jesus.
The presence of 15 Adventists from Israel was both a highlight of the event and a source of concern for some, but the final result was a week of harmony and friendship.
“Months before the congress, when our Lebanese, Jordanian and Sudanese youth heard that there would be a sizeable delegation from Israel, they were understandably apprehensive and worried. However, if you observed them a few days before the end of the congress, you would have witnessed them praying and sharing their faith together. It was just so inspiring to see them mix, having realized that Jesus unites them, despite the political and physical barriers that had previously separated them,” says Amir Ghali, youth director for the church in the Middle East region.
Sergi Gregorev, youth director for the church in Israel, said, “It’s my first time to meet with brothers and sisters from Arabic countries. I liked the relationship between all of us. I made friends from Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. We spoke a little politics but mainly enjoyed being together.”
Dana Siguelnitzky, a young lady from the Israel group said, “My initial reason for coming to Sharm el-Sheikh was for a holiday. But after I arrived, I felt different. I enjoyed learning more about Jesus and how to trust all the people who are different from me. I am a Jew and here are people from Arabic countries, but if we really believe in Jesus, this is what can really unite us and this is the example we can and must give to the world today.”
Speakers at the meetings included pastors Baraka Muganda, youth director for the world church, and Paul Tompkins, youth director for the church’s Trans-European region. They were supported by Marty Phillips, director of mission outreach in the Middle East region, and his wife, Gaby, who led daily prayer sessions. The schedule for the week allowed smaller groups the opportunity to improve their skills in recreational areas, such as photography and sailing, or to participate in a mini First Aid course.
A relationships seminar encouraged the young people to take part in discussing issues relevant to them, such as life choices, interpersonal relationships, dating and sex, setting goals in tune with God’s plan. There was also an organized choir practice that resulted in a performance of two Arabic songs and one English song for the special music slots during the Sabbath service.
Two young people—one from Jordan, the other from South Africa—were baptized at the conclusion of the week. According to Beverly De Gourville, a British subject now living in Jordan, “Sharm el-Sheikh was a week to remember. It was life changing, inspiring and uplifting.”
