Youth ages 14 to 18 from across the Church’s Middle East/Africa North Area gathered recently in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the first For the Strength of Youth conference in the region.
They came from several countries, including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman and Iraq, reported the Church’s Middle East Newsroom.
FSY counselor Diego Torres called it a monumental event for the youth who might be the only ones who belong to the Church in and around the cities where they live.
“Coming together and seeing other youth, having the same beliefs and the same standards, is super edifying for them. And I felt that when I was a youth as well,” Torres said.
From Jan. 25-29, more than 200 youth attended classes and workshops with the theme “Trust in the Lord” — with the goal to return home with a stronger faith in Jesus Christ.
FSY participant Shiloh Olson spoke about how her faith grew through the conference.
“There has been a time where I have struggled about my faith, and I think this has really given me the boost to see that Jesus Christ really loves me and He’s always there for me,” Olson said.
At one point, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles called in remotely to talk to the youth. The classes included topics such as friendship and Christlike attributes. Games, dances and a talent show were part of the week.
Participants also assembled 3,500 hygiene kits for people in need as part of a service project with the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara Sikh temple in Dubai. The two faiths have collaborated through service since 2015.
Through these opportunities, Olson felt herself grow and learn in different ways.
“One of the biggest challenges I face is socializing with other people and talking and all of that. And I think FSY has been one of the activities that has helped me because it’s made me talk to different people and engage in different conversation and meet new people,” she said.
FSY counselor Phindile Mkhize said the program is meant to help youth get to know others their age and strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.
“It’s a program that has been created to help the youth, not only to gain confidence in themselves but be able to work well with others, to be able to be resourceful in life, to make choices, to make the right choices in life and to be able to be great leaders of the future,” Mkhize said.
She invited youth to attend FSY and be ready to participate, learn, grow and change.
“It’s made specifically for you, and we want everybody to be able to have a chance to get to know who the Lord is in a more personal manner,” she said.
The conference was coordinated by Latter-day Saint volunteers Brandon and Kimberly Rowberry, who live in the UAE.
“I love the FSY program,” Kimberly Rowberry said. “It has changed the lives of the youth. It has brought them closer to Christ. It’s helped them develop friendships. It’s helped them to understand where they fit in this world.”
