27 July 2025 | Ažpurvinė, Lithuania [Alina Kyrylenko with tedNEWS]
The 2025 Christian Youth Camp blends service, scripture, and seaside fun to inspire a new generation of faith-driven leaders.
The 2025 Christian Youth Camp took place from 23 to 27 July, drawing young people from across Lithuania to explore the theme inspired by Acts of the Apostles 20:35, titled “What More Can I Give?”
This year’s event was organised by Dovilė Bakonytė, Domas Girčys, and Lukas Antanaitis, members of the Youth Leadership team. Although youth camps are typically held in Žvirblaičiai, the venue was unavailable for the first time, prompting a location change. As a result, the 2025 camp was held in Ažpurvinė, near Klaipėda. The site proved to be spacious and welcoming, comfortably hosting over 30 participants. While the familiar surroundings were missed, attendees appreciated the organisers’ flexibility and the financial support from the Lithuanian Conference, which made the camp possible. Both attendees and organisers gave positive feedback about the facilities and the hospitality of the landlords.
The programme offered a balanced mix of fun activities and spiritual growth. One of the main goals was to teach young people about evangelism through practical service and literature evangelism. Participants were divided into groups and helped elderly residents in a nearby city. They showed real dedication, chopping and stacking wood, fixing window frames, and having warm, thoughtful conversations about life and faith. In total, they supported four families during this outreach.
The literature evangelism activity proved to be both creative and effective. Alongside distributing Vilties Šaltinis (Source of Hope) newspapers, the participants handed out handmade bookmarks and postcards featuring Bible verses. These simple crafts offered a powerful way to connect with strangers, brighten their day, and share God’s word. Looking ahead, the youth organisers plan to prepare handmade souvenirs for each future outreach activity.
Each of the four main days of the camp featured a sermon, offering participants daily spiritual nourishment. Lukas Antanaitis prepared and delivered messages on themes such as “The Possessor of Heaven and Earth,” “Thou Shalt Not Steal,” “Biblical Principles on Money,” and “The Millennium.” Rooted in scripture, these sermons provided insight and issued practical calls to action, encouraging the youth to honour God, remain obedient, manage resources wisely, and live in hope of Christ’s return.
Another significant spiritual activity was a session called ‘Defend Your Faith’, where participants faced challenging questions and were invited to share and defend their beliefs. It was an engaging and enriching time for strengthening understanding and gaining practical tools for real-world conversations about faith.
In addition to spiritual growth, the camp offered plenty of active fun. Participants enjoyed sports and group games, swimming, a trip to the seashore, and the natural beauty of the green surroundings, which provided a refreshing backdrop throughout the week.
“The camp would not have been possible without the thoughtful leadership of Dovilė Bakonytė, Lukas Antanaitis, and Domas Girčys, along with the responsible oversight of Vaidas Geležėlė,” commented leaders from the Lithuanian Conference. “Special thanks also go to the cooks, Oksana and Nijolė, whose delicious meals were highly praised by participants.”
At the end of the camp, the organisers gathered feedback and noted suggestions for future improvements. “Heartfelt thanks to every organiser, supporter, and participant who made the 2025 Youth Camp a meaningful and memorable experience,” the Conference leaders concluded.
[Photos: courtesy of Algimantas Jankevičius]
