Experiencing God’s Grace at Youth Kosta

Juha Ahn (YK26 Small Group Leader)

This year, I was given the opportunity to take on the role of being a small group leader at Youth Kosta 2026, and if I were to change one thing about my experience, it is that I would have started last year in Grade 11 instead! Being in a leadership role within a Christian environment was not entirely new to me, as I had previously served as both a praise team leader and small group leader at my home church. However, knowing that Youth Kosta operates on a much larger scale brought me a mix of excitement and nervousness. On Day 0, when only the small group leaders and staff gathered, we were given time to build connections and prepare for the responsibilities ahead. The training we received was both practical and encouraging, which gave me confidence as we moved into Day 1. When my group first came together, I tried to help everyone feel comfortable and connected, but I quickly noticed that one group member had difficulties recognizing certain social cues or following conversational boundaries, which made interactions challenging at times. At first, I found myself feeling frustrated and disappointed, realizing that I had unconsciously been hoping for an easy and “perfect” group dynamic. However, on Day 2, we listened to a sermon on Philippians 2:5–8, which emphasizes humility and the example of Christ. That message deeply moved me. During prayer, I reflected on my own mindset and recognized that my earlier thoughts had been self-centred. I asked God to help me grow in humility and to become a more patient, compassionate leader. With this renewed perspective, I spent the rest of Kosta being more intentional in how I cared for each member of my group and catering to their individual needs. I tried my best to create an environment where everyone felt seen, heard, and valued. Over time, I began to notice a change, not only in myself, but in the group as a whole. Members who were initially hesitant became more open and understanding, and they started to engage more with one another. By the end of the conference, our group had grown into a connected and joyful community. Through my experience at Youth Kosta, I learned that true leadership is not about control or perfection, but about humility, love, and trusting God to work through every situation. Thank you YK26!