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International Newsletter October 2022
Can we reach skeptical young people in the Middle East?
Rose moved to Beirut, Lebanon for a fresh start after a difficult childhood in Saudi Arabia. Like many in the Global Youth Culture, she struggled with anxiety, often waking up in the middle of the night from panic attacks. Partying gave her momentary relief, but the fear always returned.
One day in December, Rose felt an overwhelming sense that God was going to do something in her life - today.
Denise, one of our Beirut City Team members, met a friend for lunch at a local cafe that day, where Rose overheard their conversation. “She realized we were talking about a Bible group and was curious, so we shared about our Bible Study for Seekers and Skeptics and invited her to come.”
Rose showed up at the Bible study the next day! “She was so hungry. She had so many questions and wanted to know more and more,” Denise recalled.
Around 15 young people regularly attend the team’s Bible Study for Seekers and Skeptics.
God began to heal Rose from the hurt of her childhood and give her peace from anxiety as she experienced the love of Jesus through our City Team members. She came to understand who Jesus was and that He loved her enough to die for her.
Six months after that day in December, Rose decided to get baptized at her new church to publicly share her faith in Jesus!
Now, she talks about Jesus with all of her friends, many of whom are culturally Muslim or part of the LGBTQ scene. “I used to be such a party girl, and now I’m a preacher!”
Rose and Denise are starting a group for other young people in Beirut who struggle with anxiety and depression, hoping to share the love of Jesus and the freedom that comes from following Him.
Young people in Beirut have come to recognize our team as “The Jesus People” who put on shows and are always open for spiritual conversations.
Our Steiger Beirut City Team is growing quickly! Four other young people walking in discipleship relationships with the team recently transitioned out of the Bible Study for Seekers and Skeptics into a Bible Study for believers at a local church.
Just this month, the team opened up a coffee shop in the hippest part of the city. Surrounded by bars, it’s also the main area where our team engages in outreach. The prayer is that “The Living Room” will draw young people like Rose from all over the city to feel at home and come to life with Jesus!