Following in Paul’s Footsteps: Thessaloniki, Greece 

As a recently called Youth President of the Thessaloniki congregation, I felt a welcomed pressure and duty to help the local youth, consisting of just six teenagers: Panagiota, Sofia, Angela, Petro, Gabriella, and Bregita, have powerful experiences with each other and with Jesus. Recognizing this need for unity and growth, I brought these needs to the attention of our congregation leaders. Together, we cultivated a plan for a transformative weekend youth retreat centered on community service, local history, and personal development.

Hoping to inspire the youth to participate in selfless service, we started our retreat at the Kalamaria seashore on the east side of Thessaloniki for a cleanup project. Working under the hot sun, we filled over half a dozen bags of trash polluting the beach. Throughout the weekend, we played interactive games sharing joyful activities full of laughter and unity. Focusing on growth and attempting to connect with them on their level, we walked up to the ancient outer walls of the city and read the story of the Apostle Paul visiting Thessaloniki. Walking his path in their home city allowed us to teach them that while friends, teachers, classmates, and missionaries come and go, they can always rely on God and Jesus Christ as their guide, just as Paul did.

This retreat transformed the group dynamic from passively learning into active enthusiastic participation in church, activities, and even school. Interpersonal friction among the youth was significantly reduced because they had shared a fun, memorable experience together. The youth left feeling empowered and able to recognize their individual potential and the potential of others when they are not so focused on themselves. 

By leveraging local history and focusing on experiential methods, I helped to create an environment that inspired 6 teenagers to forge enduring unity and build a stronger foundation for selfless acts of kindness. This experience refined my capacity for visionary leadership by demonstrating that effective mentorship requires creativity, intentionality, and practical application.