“Una Vez Más” FESJA Texico 2023

RUIDOSO, N.M. – More than 100 young people gathered on Feb. 24-26 for the first Texico FESJA (Adventist Youth Federation) retreat of 2023. FESJA, which aims to enrich the spiritual lives of Hispanic teens and young adults throughout the Texico Conference, has taken place twice a year for more than 14 years. 

This year, attendees gathered to worship and hear from guest speaker Moises Tarango, former FESJA director. Tarango centered his message around the book of Hosea. Several attendees shared powerful testimonies of how God gave them a second chance. The worship music was led by “Ilumin8,” a group of five young people from the El Paso West Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Early Sabbath morning, several attendees participated in a contest on the book of Hosea and battled to see who would win the first-place prize, which included free registration for the next FESJA in the summer. First place winner Jurlef Salazar, from Amarillo, won for the second consecutive time. Michael A. Klassen, from Hobbs, came in second, and Torres, from Amarillo, came in third place.

Later that morning, attendees separated into different groups and had an hour to create something. The groups came up with many great ideas. One group composed a worship song with its own music, other groups prepared a drama, a sermon and project ideas around topics like mental health, church beyond the walls, outdoor survival and using social media ideas to spread the Word of Jesus. Saturday night’s theme was “Under a Neon Mood.” 

Attendees enjoyed games at the gym and participated in other activities, such as a leap of faith, which involved climbing a ladder and leaping off to grab a trapeze bar or punching bag. The weekend ended on a spiritual high note on Sunday with a last session with Tarango. 

There is no doubt that this year's FESJA was a blessing for all those who attended. FESJA is a great opportunity for young people throughout the Texico Conference to grow spiritually and head home refreshed and eager to serve their communities and churches. 

Plans for the next FESJA are underway and will take place in Cloudcroft on July 28-30, 2023. The FESJA team encourages youth directors, pastors and churches to support the next event by promoting and assisting their youth to attend. For more information about FESJA and ways to get involved, contact us through our social media accounts and the Texico Conference Young Adult Department. 

By Paola Miranda

FESJA Director