Youth in Faith

Wapenamanda: Youths from Lai Deneary gathered at Imagepus in the Tsak LLG of Wapenamanda District for a training workshop that ended last Thursday, 2nd July 2026. The program started on Monday and ran for four days under the theme, "Hebrews 10:15. We youth must stand firm in our Faith."

Youth representatives from the Lai Deneary pose for a group photo at Imagepus as the training workshop ended today.

Pastoral Vicar Fr. Andrew Sopeyal from the Catholic Diocese of Wabag was the main guest speaker. He gave lessons to the youth every day, teaching them about faith, discipline, and the role of young people in the Church and community. In an interview, Fr. Sopeyal said the workshop was planned to help youth understand their identity in Christ during a time when many young people face pressure from outside influences. "Our youth today face many challenges. Social change, peer pressure, and doubt can shake their faith," Fr. Sopeyal said. "This workshop was to remind them that they must stand firm, just like the word from Hebrews 10:15 tells us.

The Holy Spirit testifies to us, and we must hold on to what we believe." He said the four days covered different topics, including Bible study, personal testimony sharing, prayer sessions, and group discussions on real-life issues affecting youth in Enga Province. "I saw a big change in the youth from Monday to today. They came in quiet, but by the end, they were confident to share their faith stories," he said.

Joseph Sari, one of the youth participants, spoke after the closing session. He said the training changed the way he sees his faith. "Before this workshop, I did not understand my faith fully. Fr. Andrew's teaching opened my eyes. Now I know I must stand firm, even when life is hard," he said. Youth Leader Luke Pumas, who helped organize the event, said the workshop brought youth from different villages under Lai Deneary together in one place, building unity among them. "This is not just about religion. It is about building strong young people who can lead our community in the future," Mr. Pumas said.

The closing last Thursday, included a short program with prayers, songs, and words of encouragement from Fr. Sopeyal to send the youth back to their villages with a renewed sense of purpose. Fr. Sopeyal thanked the organizers and the community of Imagepus for hosting the training and encouraged the youth to continue meeting for prayer and Bible study even after the workshop ended. "This is just the beginning. I want to see these youths continue to grow in their faith and become good examples for others," he said.

The Lai Deneary youth training workshop is part of an ongoing efforts by the Catholic Diocese of Wabag to strengthen youth faith formation across Enga Province, ahead of upcoming diocesan youth programs planned for later in the year.