Reformed Church in Hungary Hosts International Youth for Starpoint Youth Festival

The motto for this year’s festival, held in Zánka by Lake Balaton, was “breathe,” addressing the multiple anxieties affecting young people today and exploring the possibilities of how they can be alleviated. 26 international delegates joined from partner churches such as the Church of Lippe (Germany), the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, the Church of Scotland, the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, St. Columba’s Church of Scotland (Budapest), and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Participants began in Budapest for initial orientation, team-building, and sightseeing activities across the city, taking a brief look at Budapest’s rich history. On Sunday, the international delegates attended worship at St. Columba’s Scottish Mission in Budapest. This unique, predominantly international congregation holds membership with both the Church of Scotland and the Reformed Church in Hungary. Here, participants were called by Rev. Aaron Steven’s sermon to consider their personal approaches to seeking wisdom in the face of uncertainty or challenging decisions. This message, based on Proverbs 3:1-8 and Luke 12:29-31, set a thoughtful tone for the days ahead, as the themes explored in the sermon closely mirrored the central focus of the Starpoint Festival. Moving forward, participants would be asked throughout the week to consider how wisdom, discernment, scripture, and prayer all affect how young people approach mental health and anxiety.

For international participants, each day began with an English devotional before the morning plenary. Morning plenaries included worship songs, a brief theatrical sketch illustrating an element of the week’s focus on mental health and anxiety, and a keynote from various pastors or church leaders based on selected scriptures for the week. Much like the mornings, each evening concluded with a plenary gathering with a keynote message by a spiritual leader focused on the week's theme, followed by communal singing and nighttime concerts.

For group discussions, the international group divided up and was also joined by Hungarian youth interested in participating in English-led discussions. In addition to allowing Hungarian youth and international youth to get to know each other, the group discussions offered participants an opportunity to delve deeper into the insights from the morning plenary and share personal experiences related to the topics explored. The diversity in the groups provided a unique mixture of perspectives and points of learning for those from different church backgrounds and home contexts.

Each afternoon of the festival was filled with activities spread across various tents hosted by church ministries and Reformed institutions. The International Tent featured an international quiz, a world café for discussing shared questions about youth, faith, church life, and mental health, and enjoyed a “Global Grab Bag” activity, where individuals shared songs, poems, dances, games, and stories from their home countries, promoting connection and understanding across cultures. International attendees also had the opportunity to explore the nearby lakeside town of Balatonfüred, a popular destination known for its charm and beauty.

Events like the Starpoint festival offer invaluable opportunities for spiritual renewal, cultural exchange, and personal growth. In 2025, designated as the Year of Youth Ministry by the Reformed Church in Hungary, such youth-centred gatherings are more important than ever for fostering faith, community, and renewal for the next generation.