Two thousand teens attend cross-cultural gathering

2000 teenagers from across Europe gathered for a week in Offenburg, Germany this summer for the 19th TeenStreet Germany. The event focussed on being ‘real’; not only by knowing the Jesus of the Bible, but also living out a genuine relationship with him. ‘This week we want to experience the fullness of God, to know and experience His presence,’ programme leaders Josh and Debs Walker said.

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Teenagers from 17 nations spent mornings learning from God’s Word in main hall sessions, followed by discussion with their peers in small groups. After communal meals there was the opportunity for seminar, workshops and sport, while the daily campus-wide ‘Shhh’ time stopped everyone on site for 30 minutes and spent time being still and silent before God.

An Outreach day saw everyone head into the city for a full afternoon serving the city. This included breaking Germany’s largest coffee table record; 6,000 people from TeenStreet and the city of Offenburg shared coffee and cake at a 1375 metre-long table. Donation boxes on the tables raised €10,800 for the East-African famine.

City council told organisers that ‘the city of Offenburg’s impression has been changed. It’s not just a new impression of young people the city has, it’s a new impression of Jesus.’

Over the last two decades, TeenStreet has grown to include events in Europe, South America, Malaysia, Australia and South Africa. Through website forums and follow-up material, initiatives have also been developed to engage with the participants after they return home. Find out more at www.teenstreet.de.

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