Invest in Youth
In Fuerteventura, lies an organization called “Grupos Bíblicos Estudiantiles (GBE)” or "Student Bible Groups.” This is a ministry that works with secondary, university, and professional learning students with Bible groups. They primarily meet in high schools and other surrounding community centers. Their mission is to build disciples of Jesus through Bible studies, community, learning, and training. They have chapters throughout Spain and America.
Pastor Airam Cabrera, was inspired by his daughter Lea to start the program. He noticed a need in his community. He saw that their church and community did not have a lot of opportunities to involve the youth.He realized he wanted his daughter to grow alongside Christian community and friends and decided to fill said need. There is an emphasis on letting the students lead and take initiative. Lea has been able to be heavily involved in GBE and inviting friends to get involved. One of her friends has been struggling with their identity yet is simultaneously searching for Jesus and has been able to find a supportive community within GBE.
In terms of challenges, Airam spoke of the ministry as a roller coaster. The growth is never linear. There are lots of ups and downs. Nothing is ever simply black and white, they live within the grey area constantly navigating the best decisions to make. They seek to not just listen to the students, but to truly understand them, their needs, and who they are.
Airam mentions that the goal of GBE is to form relationships with the youth and that they would know Jesus. They want to connect students to local churches and build community. Regarding Europe, a larger goal they have is to start GBE branches in each city across the continent. He has requested from the global church prayer for strength and endurance in their work. They also want prayer for expanding their organization into other areas as well as making disciples outside of the organization such as at work, at home, and on the streets.
Airam challenges the church to invest in adolescents, to teach them the way. He states that “young people are not the future, they are the present.” He emphasizes the importance of connecting with the younger generation and how that is the mission of GBE.
To learn more about GBE and their upcoming events (including a Christian summer dump this July), please click the link below: