In May, Ddembe hosted our second annual MEGA Youth Conference. Last year, the conference lasted three days, but the youth and community loved it so much that this year, everyone decided to extend it to five.

Last year, over forty churches united to host this conference. Rather than parting ways until the next youth conference, the youth leaders from each church continued to stand together, forming the MEGA Youth Leaders group. They’ve met once a month for the last year, supporting each other in the various conferences and events each church has hosted. It has been a great inspiration and blessing to us at Ddembe to witness these local leaders joining forces to spread the gospel in their community and throughout the country. Their unwavering passion for the Lord and deep love for one another have been beautiful to witness.  

As the leaders met together in early 2024 to begin the planning process for the conference, they wanted to incorporate more evangelism and outreach in the week leading up to the conference. The leaders and the students from their youth groups partnered together and split into groups, going into three neighboring towns in the week leading up to the conference. They did door-to-door evangelism, showed the Jesus film, and preached the gospel. Some experienced pushback and were nearly attacked for sharing the gospel in certain Muslim communities. Still, amidst it all, many desired to surrender their lives to Jesus!

The youth leaders also decided to host a three-day soccer, netball, and volleyball tournament in the final days leading up to the conference. The response was overwhelming, with around 50 teams signing up to play. The games were held at various pitches throughout town, and every game was a platform for the gospel. Commentators shared the good news alongside their game commentary, and many in the community came to watch and listen. By the end of each day, large crowds had gathered. The impact was profound, with many embracing Christ and the community enjoying the camaraderie of cheering on the players from their villages.

On the Monday after the tournament and community outreaches, we kicked off the start of the MEGA Youth Conference. We welcomed multiple speakers daily – a mix of local church leaders and friends who came on a team from the States to join us for the week. They taught us about what it means to be deeply rooted in Christ, based on Colossians 2:6-15.

A large choir of around 75 youths led everyone in song and dance each day. After every teaching session, students could come forward and ask questions they had after the message, and the teacher and various church members would take an hour or more to walk through each question with the students and show them where the answers to their questions could be found in Scripture. Many of them wanted to know how to deal with temptation, share the gospel with unbelieving family members and friends, deal with spiritual warfare, and more.

Inspired by our friends in the States, Ddembe’s administrator, Moses, suggested we have a bonfire the evening before our conference’s final day. This was a novelty and a first for all our students. We ate grilled pork, shared testimonies, and sang around the campfire until the wee hours of the morning. The students loved it so much that they wanted it to go on until morning, but we finally called it quits at 3 a.m. – ha!

The last day of the conference was a beautiful celebration of everything the Lord did during the conference and a sweet time for many students to come forward for prayer. Many also came forward, sharing that they desired to surrender their lives to Jesus, for which we celebrate! Each student was able to connect with local leaders and churches where they can continue to be discipled and surrounded by Christian community.

We praise God for all He did during the community outreaches, soccer tournaments, and conferences. We give Him all the glory, honor, and praise!