My name is Lana, originally Svetlana, and I live in Yerevan with my family. I had a joyful childhood, but as I grew older, life became heavier—friends left, war and COVID came, and fear filled my days. I didn’t know God then, but I cried out for light, and now I see He gave me Himself. I later learned that my mom had tried everything to prevent my birth, yet God kept me alive. Now, Jeremiah 1:5 has deep meaning to me: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” I believe God protected me from the start, waited patiently, and showed me I was never a mistake, but part of His perfect plan.

At sixteen, I heard about Jesus for the first time at Young Life camp. His Word touched me, but I held back. A year later, I truly felt His presence and realized real peace comes only with Him. I currently serve as a leader in my local Young Life. I want to keep growing spiritually and emotionally so I can walk with others the way Jesus walks with me—with love, patience, and truth. In ministry, I hope to be a servant first, take on more responsibility in Young Life and my church, and encourage younger believers.

As a Developing Global Leader I am studying languages and will be the first in my family to graduate from university. I have many hopes for the future. In my studies, I want to grow not just academically, but personally—learning to communicate well, think creatively, and lead with purpose. I hope to use my skills to build honest, meaningful connections between people and communities. In my career, I don’t want success to be about money or titles—I want to do work that brings light, shares truth, and reflects God’s love in every area.