Christine, a worker with OM in Italy, said, “Adolescents are at an age where there are many challenges and temptations. When they are the only Christians in school and do not know peers that are also Christian, it can be very challenging.
“Some churches have tried to create a regional youth group, but it is difficult because of the distances involved.
“So TeenStreet events are a big boost for their faith: to see many other believers their age on fire for God and see that there are Christian youth also in other countries is very encouraging.”
OM has seen more and more young Italians travel to Germany for TeenStreet Europe, a week-long event that brings together young people from all over Europe to grow in faith and intimacy with God, make new friends and have fun. This is a unique opportunity for teenagers from a context such as Italy, where churches are small and young groups of believers even smaller or non-existent.
In 2025, 63 young Italians enjoyed the week of faith, fellowship and fun. Here are some comments from some of the teenagers who attended TeenStreet Europe:
“TeenStreet Europe was a very special experience for me. It was a week when I heard God's voice loudly and clearly. During those days, I was able to entrust to Him all my burdens, and every message spoke to my heart. At the end of the week, I felt really renewed, in spirit and mind. I’ve also made a lot of new sincere friendships, which I feel in my heart will last forever.”
“TeenStreet Europe for me is not only a field but it is an opportunity to grow in my faith, to go deep into the Word of God, to make friends and acquaintances not only with Italian boys but also from all over Europe. In every meeting, seminar and moment of praise, I could feel the presence of God and get closer to Him. This is my third year at TeenStreet Europe and every time I come home very encouraged and ready to share the love and joy that only Jesus offers us, with those who do not yet know Him!”
“The first time at the event, but what a time! I really enjoyed everything, learnt new things about God, and really saw God’s love in every person. I enjoyed the 'shhh' time!”
Christine said, “The purpose of TeenStreet is not only to organise an event once a year, but to bring a deepening into the personal lives of young people, which goes on all year round.
“We are trying to develop an Italian event to help to keep the spirit alive, but since the territory is vast, this is not available to all teens. TeenStreet and the local summer camps usually are the only moment in the whole year where they meet other Christian teens and can also share maybe more freely about some struggles.
“OM is also involved in the Reshaped youth events once every few months that try to fill this gap with events in Rome, Milan and Naples. About 200 youth come, because there is great need and hunger to know more.”
TeenStreet Europe and TeenStreet Italia continue to offer encouragement and insights in their Instagram channels and through Bible reading plans in the YouVersion app.
Pray with us for the young people to keep in their hearts what they have learned and experienced in TeenStreet so that they will live their lives more and more for Jesus with courage.
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Over the years, OM's team in Italia has seen God respond wonderfully to their prayers for the victims of trafficking – but they have also seen how important it is to pray for the place where these acts take place.
In a world that teaches young people that they must earn everything — love, value and acceptance — the OM team in Italia wanted to show teens that the greatest gift, salvation in Christ, is totally free.
In Italy, two OMers are seeing the Lord at work in the older generation.
Jesus followers in Italy face the challenge of distinguishing the gospel message of salvation from the message of Catholicism, without becoming closed off from the world around them.
Everyday conversations provied opportunities for Christine to share her faith and build relationships.
A short-term ministry team from Germany supported the ministry efforts in Italy to share God's love with young and old alike.
Jaki learnt more than Italian at language school — she learnt about other cultures and people groups and "discovered that, even in the most difficult moments, there is a God who sees, who listens and who takes care."
Sometimes we are afraid to talk about our faith with our non-believing friends, or invite them to read the Bible together, but we can be surprised.
OM in Italia recently invited TeenStreet participants for a TeenStreet Day: a 'mini-Teenstreet' with games, adoration, messages and much more!
“Just as others do, I also make my gifts available for the Kingdom of God. It’s interesting to see how God uses art to talk to people,” shared Jessica.
"What I can contribute to the effectiveness of OM’s work to get people involved in the global work of sharing God’s love," says Meindert Kramer, who is a graphic designer within the international communications department of OM.
In a world that teaches young people that they must earn everything — love, value and acceptance — the OM team in Italia wanted to show teens that the greatest gift, salvation in Christ, is totally free.
Everyday conversations provied opportunities for Christine to share her faith and build relationships.
Jaki learnt more than Italian at language school — she learnt about other cultures and people groups and "discovered that, even in the most difficult moments, there is a God who sees, who listens and who takes care."
Sometimes we are afraid to talk about our faith with our non-believing friends, or invite them to read the Bible together, but we can be surprised.
“Just as others do, I also make my gifts available for the Kingdom of God. It’s interesting to see how God uses art to talk to people,” shared Jessica.
In collaboration with other Christian organisations, the OM team in Italia are helping believers reach out to their peers.
Benjamin brought a group of people from Brazil to Italy to partner with the OM team there, working among people who have been trafficked or are at risk of being trafficked.
A group of teenagers from Sweden discovered the difference they could make for God's Kingdom during an Easter outreach in Italy.
