The challenge was to switch off their phones and laptops for the whole weekend, October 26 to 28: no Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, gaming, Spotify, phone or internet – a complete digital blackout.
The teenagers are all part of Watchet Baptist Church’s Encounter youth group and were inspired to get involved in the Blackout after hearing about the work of Open Doors who support Christians around the world who have no voice.
By getting sponsored to go quiet online, they were raising money for Christians in Syria who have fled horrific persecution and are still homeless, needing food, medicine and shelter.
On the Friday night, the group gathered around a bonfire and paused to remember those suffering in other parts of the world. On Sunday morning, they joined the congregation at Knights Templar School as special prayers were said.
That evening, the group was back on social media posting success of the challenge and thanks to supporters: “We have raised an amazingly large amount of money – we’ll let you know the total soon!”
Open Doors works in over 60 countries, supplying Bibles, training church leaders, providing practical support and emergency relief, and supporting Christians who suffer for their faith.
In the UK and Ireland Open Doors works to raise awareness of global persecution, mobilising prayer, support and action among Christians: “Millions around the world are persecuted, threatened, beaten, arrested, tortured and some are even killed for their choice to follow Jesus.”