Faith shapes young leaders
Sunday morning in a small parlour near Salzburg: yesterday they were strangers, today they are learning to become responsible youth group leaders.
Rudolf Hächler, Austria | YI News 07/2026
When a shared heartbeat sets the pace
On the border between Moldova and Romania, 34 participants prepare for ten summer camps – and discover what truly holds a network together.
Cosmin Tamas, Moldova | YI News 07/2026
The network grows in depth and breadth
Five unforgettable days of faith, friendship and inspiration: the network came together at the national coordinators' meeting in the Danube Bend.
Setet Noemi, Hungary | YI News 07/2026
A milestone for Albania
A small room in the middle of the city, twelve teenagers, no meadow in sight – and right into it, the first Youngstars course Albania has ever seen.
Cosmin Tamas, Albania | YI News 04/2026
Latvia's walk in faith
A few years ago, G. was a boy hardly anyone could reach – restless, rebellious. Last Saturday he set out in uniform, backpack packed: on his way to Latvia's national youth cadet programme.
Ronalds Svarups, Latvia | YI News 04/2026
Fear turned into courage
Three months after her father's death, Barbara stood alone in front of a group, far from home. Years earlier, she had been the shy girl from the south of São Paulo.
Barbara Gomes, Brazil | YI News 04/2026
Small and big steps of growth
Seven participants on the basic course – twice as many as last year. And three of them came from the brand-new Youngstars group in Skoczów. Poland is growing, step by step.
Markus Karzelek, Poland | YI News 12/2025
20 years of Youngstars Romania
Snow on the mountains, nearly 200 people in a tent – and photos from twenty years of youth group ministry, in which Rahela suddenly spots her own leaders as teenagers.
Rahela Năstasă, Romania | YI News 12/2025
The long-awaited new beginning
Two instructors, more than 40 registered participants, days of rain – and the first basic training in Ukraine since 2016. Nikolay tells of a year that demanded everything.
Nikolay Niuniaiev, Ukraine | YI News 12/2025
God knows my heart
Vini was the first to sign up for Team Leader Training – and then agreed to help at another course instead. Two weeks before the start, the phone rang twice.
Vini Baran, Romania | YI News 10/2025
God answers prayer
For the first time everyone slept in tents – and the forecast promised rain for every single day. But every time the clouds gathered, the children prayed.
Youngstars team Latvia, Latvia | YI News 10/2025
A course that stays
Power cuts almost every day, a flat tyre between Havana and Santa Clara – and one sentence Patricia cannot get out of her head.
Patricia Ghevalt, Cuba | YI News 05/2025
The Playmobil campfire
Among 1,200 youth group leaders in Huttwil, their table held small tents and a campfire made of Playmobil. Behind it was a very concrete plan – and a heart for Latvia.
Michelle & Andi Flückiger, Switzerland | YI News 05/2025
Youngstars in Odesa
Every week eight children meet on the church grounds in Odesa: making fire, cooking outdoors, building friendships. In the middle of a war, this gives them a piece of normality.
Nikolay Niuniaiev, Ukraine | YI News 06/2024
The first YI training in Africa
Blindfolded, Ealow searches for his way while everyone shouts directions – only one voice shows the right path. The first YI introductory training in Africa became a lesson in listening, for Sarina and Daniel too.
Sarina & Daniel Zinsstag-Schröder, Ethiopia | YI News 11/2023
