Wann Logos Hope kündigte eine Pause in seinem Heimatland Spanien für Anfang 2026 an, Abel Er war außerordentlich begeistert. “Ich wollte schon als Kind auf einem [OM-Schiff] sein, also erfüllte ich endlich meinen Traum, indem ich dem Programm in Málaga beitrat”, sagte er.
Das Freiwilligeneinsatzprogramm auf der Schiffsbuchmesse kombinierte zwei von Abels Leidenschaften – Bücher und das Kennenlernen neuer Menschen. Er genoss es besonders, Menschen mit seinen Empfehlungen für Bücher bekannt zu machen, da er dadurch auch die Menschen besser kennenlernte. Für sich selbst kaufte Abel mehr als 20 Bücher, “also musste ich jemanden beauftragen, die Bücher für mich zu nehmen, weil sie nicht in meine Handgepäcktasche passten”, sagte er lachend.
Während der Reise an Bord Logos Hope, Abel traf die Mitglieder des spanischen OM-Teams und fragte, ob es irgendwelche Möglichkeiten für Freiwilligenarbeit im Sommer gibt. Nachdem er von seiner langjährigen Erfahrung als Englischlehrer für Jugendliche gehört hatte, antworteten sie: „Schließt euch uns bei TeenStreet an!“
Small group leader
TeenStreet helps teenagers discover their potential and empowers them to make Jesus known to those who have not heard the gospel. With annual events and year-round activities across several continents, TeenStreet partners with churches and communities to motivate, equip, and walk alongside teens, helping them build a real friendship with Jesus and reflect Him daily in their world.
Every year, TeenStreet Europe runs a week-long event for teens from across the continent. In 2026, the theme was PATHS, Wisdom’s Call and the event was held in Offenburg, Germany, from 1-8 August. Around 1,800 teens were encouraged to have fun, go deep and be bold as they explored what it means to walk in wisdom and to make choices that shape who they become and how they live in the world.
Around 1,300 volunteers ensured the week ran smoothly, with people involved in areas such as catering, the food court, communications, cleaning, security, sports, music, the Prayer Zone, the Art Zone or — in Abel’s case — leading a small group.
Small groups are at the heart of TeenStreet year-round and a vital part of the TeenStreet Europe event, where each teen is placed in a small group with others of the same gender from their country. The small groups meet daily to delve deeper into the main session topics and check in with each other.
In preparation for the event, Abel participated in a small-group leaders training in Spain with around 20 others. “It was very good,” Abel recalled. “Lots of good input and advice on how to deal with teenagers; how to ask them the right questions and get them talking.”
Though he had never met the five teens in his group before the event, they became fast friends as they journeyed together during the week. The biggest takeaways for Abel was the need to really listen to teens and that adults and teens are not so different. “To be heard — this is something that all teenagers want,” explained Abel. “I want to matter. I want someone to care for me. I want someone to listen to me, even though my problem is not an adult problem, but it is still my problem; it is my world. And especially in relationships with God and with the rest of people.”
“I’m 54, so you know, a grown-up, an adult, but you never stop learning,” Abel continued. “In some ways, we are sort of teenagers for all our lives, even though our problems are not teen problems. But our quest to be heard, to be understood, to be part of a group and to be useful to the Lord is the same quest that teenagers have. We are all teens.”