At 13 years, Mihajlo is old enough to understand the importance of education. Every Saturday he takes advantage of the after-school programme offered by Blythswood Serbia at the Kontakt Hub, a small Christian centre in the city of Kragujevac.

There he has found more than tuition in maths and languages. While exploring the bookshelves he noticed the materials for Hope Explored, an introduction to the Christian faith translated for use in Serbia by Blythswood. While Christianity Explored has seven sessions based on Mark’s gospel, Hope Explored consists of just three and is based on Luke.

“The topic immediately caught his attention,” says David Armus who leads Blythswood Serbia. “He questioned if true hope exists, whether life can have meaning and how we can live in peace.

“After a brief conversation Mihajlo signed up to attend the course and other teenagers joined as well. His previous understanding of Christianity was mostly about form and tradition. He had never encountered its deeper meaning. After three lessons, he realised that the Christian faith isn’t just a set of rules – it brings freedom, peace and love – and that Jesus is the true purpose of life.

“His interest grew and he expressed a desire to continue exploring the faith through our weekly Bible workshops here in Kragujevac. He really enjoyed the Hope Explored videos.

“Mihajlo’s journey shows how a course, combined with a supportive environment, can transform a young person – not just in knowledge, but in heart and in their perspective on life.”

Hope Explored is a three-session series about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.