As part of our ongoing partnership with the Middle East Council of Churches sponsored by Church in Action Netherlands, the Bible Society participated in two leadership workshops for the first camp of YLB which included 35 young people, September 2-3, 2026 in Kchag, Maten, creating an interactive space where participants could explore leadership, discover their own potential and develop practical skills they can apply in their personal lives, schools and communities.
Session One: Leadership Shield
The first session, facilitated by Clinical Psychologist Rita Zakhour, introduced participants to the concept of leadership through the Leadership Shield. Rather than viewing leadership simply as being in charge, the youth explored it as the ability to guide, inspire and influence others toward a common goal. Through games, group challenges, discussions and reflection exercises, they explored four pillars of leadership: Respect, Courage, Teamwork, and Responsibility. The activities encouraged participants to connect these values with situations they encounter in their everyday lives and to reflect on how their own choices and actions can influence others.
One participant reflected: “I learned that leadership is not only about being in charge. It is about guiding and inspiring others toward the same goal.”
Session Two: Developing Leadership Skills
Building on the first session, the second workshop, facilitated by Coach Naji Fakhoury, took participants a step further by focusing on the characteristics and practical skills of effective leadership. The youth explored how leaders set clear goals and inspire others to work together toward them. They reflected on the qualities they already possess, identified areas for growth and considered what kind of leaders they want to become.
The session concluded with a Personal Leadership Roadmap, through which each participant identified personal strengths, areas for improvement, short-term goals and practical steps for developing their leadership abilities.
One participant shared: “I discovered some of my strengths and also the areas where I still need to improve.” Another added: “The workshop helped me think about the kind of leader I want to become and the steps I can start taking now.”
Growing as Young Leaders
Across the two workshops, the 35 participants were actively engaged through teamwork, discussions, games and personal reflection. The experience helped them recognize that leadership is not simply about holding a position, but about building trust, taking responsibility, working with others and having the courage to take meaningful action.
The workshops gave young people both a foundation in leadership values, biblical principles, and practical tools to continue developing their potential and making a positive contribution to their communities.
The Bible Society’s mission is to spread the Holy Bible’s message and culture to all generations through translating, publishing, and distributing the Scriptures using visual, audio-visual, readable, and digital formats, encouraging people to read and engage with God’s word, advocating the Bible cause to uphold human dignity, and partnering with all Churches and Christian institutions.
