Fostering Christian Youth Faith through Christian Religious Education Services in Public Junior High Schools

Abstract

This community service was carried out as an effort to build the faith and morals of Christian teenagers through Christian Religious Education (PAK) activities at the Muara Enim Regency Public Junior High School (SMP), which is currently experiencing a limited number of PAK teachers. The problems faced by the partners include the lack of faith guidance for Christian teenagers aged 12–15 years, who are undergoing a transitional period of growth and are easily influenced by their surroundings and the use of digital media. The community service activities took place from August to November 2025 every Friday, and involved 45 students from five public junior high schools. The methods used included contextual PAK teaching, interactive lectures, group discussions, faith reflection, personal guidance, communal worship, and the application of faith through acts of loving service in the family, school, and community environments. The results of the activities showed an increase in understanding of the Christian faith, especially the introduction of the Triune God, changes in attitudes and character that reflect Christian values, and active participation of teenagers in services and faith communities. This activity has a positive impact on the development of the faith of Christian teenagers and serves as an example of community service based on holistic, contextual, and sustainable religious education, especially for schools that are facing a shortage of PAK educators.