The Festival of Life: A Witness of Light in a Dark Time

This past week I had the privilege of attending the Festival of Life, a special youth event held during the days of Sukkot, from Sunday, October 12 through Tuesday, October 14. It was hosted at the Baptist Village, a peaceful place that offered safety, joy, and space for young hearts to breathe.

What made this gathering so powerful was not just what was planned, but what it stood for.

The festival was organized as a direct spiritual response to the Nova Festival, where many young lives were tragically taken on October 7. While that day had been marked by death and terror, this was a gathering to proclaim something entirely different – life, light, unity, and truth. It was about creating a new memory for this generation. Not one based on fear, but on hope.

Hundreds of young people came. Most were unbelievers, many from both Jewish and Arab backgrounds, all with different stories and questions. What they found was not a program or a performance, but people who cared. Believers from across the country came to serve, to worship, to listen, and to be present.

Each day was filled with heartfelt worship, testimonies, creative workshops, meals, and deep conversations. There were moments of loud celebration and moments of quiet reflection. Prayer tents stayed open throughout the festival, and groups of youth gathered around campfires and guitars, talking late into the night.

On Monday afternoon, I was invited to share my personal testimony. It was a simple moment, just me, a microphone, and a group of youth sitting on the grass. But the Holy Spirit was present. I could see it in their eyes. Some approached me afterward with thoughtful questions. Others just nodded and said thank you. Many were hearing these truths for the first time.

Then came the moment we will not forget.

On Monday evening, during the festival, we received the news that hostages were being released. It was unexpected and emotional. We had gathered young people from across Israel to speak life and at that exact time, captives were being set free. The symbolism was not lost on any of us. Some called it coincidence. But we saw God’s hand in it.

By Tuesday, the final day of the festival, more and more local churches had joined in. There was a strong sense of unity in the body of Messiah. Rick Ridings from Succat Hallel, leaders from Kehilat HaCarmel, Kehilat HaDerech, Kehilat Nazareth, and others were all present. The day turned into a time of powerful worship, intercession, and spiritual declaration.

This festival was not a regular youth conference. It was a prophetic moment. It was a declaration that life is stronger than death, that unity is stronger than fear, and that God has not forgotten the youth of this land.

It was organized by Baruch Haba Melech HaKavod, a network of over 30 congregations from across Israel working together for one purpose, to reveal the love of Yeshua and the power of the Gospel in a time when many are searching for answers.

Please continue to pray:

• Pray for the youth who attended, that the seeds planted would grow
• Pray for both Jewish and Arab young people to encounter the truth of the Messiah
• Pray for healing in this generation
• Pray for continued unity among the believers in Israel
• And pray that what began at the Festival of Life would continue to spread far beyond its three days

There is so much more to say, and pictures will help tell the story, but one thing is clear. God is not finished with this generation. He is calling them, meeting them, and using moments like this to break through in unexpected ways.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and love for the people of this land.

📬 eliasmaron@twocampsoneheart.org
🌐 twocampsoneheart.org
🤝 Christian Friends of Israel (CFI)