HELLO!
My name is Elio Patoku, and I’m grateful to God for the privilege of serving teenagers and introducing them to Jesus Christ. I’ve been part of the DGL program for nearly five years. After completing it, I worked as an engineer for six months while finishing my studies, then joined the Erasmus+ program in Turkey where I researched and spent time in the lab conducting experiments for my scientific project. During that time, God revealed an unexpected calling—not to return to engineering, but to serve in youth ministry, specifically Young Life. And here I am today.
MY DREAM:
My dream is for the teenagers I connect with to truly know and experience the greatest gift given to us—Jesus Christ.
My vision for this ministry is to strengthen our teenage ministry in the center of Tirana and to develop a second ministry focused on university students (Young Life College).
MY STORY:
My name is Elio and I am from a poverty-stricken and forgotten suburb of Tirana, Albania in eastern Europe. Home has been an inconsistent and lonely place at times, as my family has endured addiction, illness, and the death of my oldest brother. Youth in my neighborhood are heavily influenced by rebellious behaviors and bullying and 90% of teenagers do not attend high school. I was raised in the church and had an opportunity to join a youth worship band during my teenage years. I grew tremendously under strong leadership and that experience was a catalyst for growth in my faith. I am grateful to be a Young Life leader and an example to the teenagers in my community. I have been told that I love with my whole heart and, as a Young Life leader, I don’t want to hold anything back from the kids I serve; rather, I want to be a light that points them towards the love of God.
I graduated from a vocational high school for woodworking; therefore, I chose to attend the Agricultural University of Tirana Forest Sciences. I am the first person in my family to graduate from university. As a Developing Global Leader, I had the opportunity to receive leadership training and cultivate ministry skills that equipped me to be an even more effective leader as I invest in my community. I believe that the most impactful way to influence my country is to pour out my life into the teens in my neighborhood and offer hope for their future apart from what is known and seen in their dark world.
MY EDUCATION
DGL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Agricultural University of Tirana
Timber Engineer 2025
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SERVE IN ALBANIA
The area where we serve in ministry is a place with many teenagers and lots of places to go and have fun. I see this as one of the biggest opportunities for contact work because there are always teenagers around. One of the challenges I see is the difficulty of working with them—understanding what they really want and what makes them feel happy. Nowadays, since young people have so many opportunities to do different things, it becomes harder to keep their attention because they lose interest quickly. It also requires us to spend a lot of time with them, staying present and involved in their lives.
MY FUNDING NEEDS
To cover daily living expenses including housing, food, and transportation, I must raise my salary. Please consider joining my support team so that I can focus on ministry with the teenagers in my neighborhood and expand God's Kingdom in Albania.
JOIN MY SUPPORT TEAM
MY INTERESTS
One of the things I really enjoy is physical activity. I go to the gym every day, walk my dog, ride bikes, and read art books. One of my oldest hobbies is painting. I also spend time playing musical instruments such as the piano, guitar, and drums. Because I exercise regularly, I’ve also grown to love cooking. Physical activity is one of my greatest passions, and at times, I’ve even used it as a way to connect with others in my ministry work.
MY STORY
I was born into a Muslim household that followed Allah without any questions until my older sister received Christ and become a Christian. Our parents followed in the faith. Ever since my life has not been the same because Jesus is at the center of it now. I'm an ordained minister of the Gospel in my church. Now a Developing Global Leader, I am combining my gifts and passions and pursuing a degree in graphic design and video editing at Milton Margai Technical University.
My greatest strength is my ability to motivate and help the younger generation by bringing out the best in them. My vision is to remain actively involved in the next generation through Young Life and give counsel and help as they identify their own talents.
MY MINISTRY FOCUS
I work in a community where many teenagers have to work to support their families as street vendors, on farms, or low-paying informal jobs. Teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and the need to support family income often force teens—particularly girls—out of school. Crime, drug abuse, and gangs are a common threat.
That's why Young Life is such an important part of this community. We give kids opportunities for healthy friendships, fun activities, positive role models and, most of all, the chance to hear the gospel and grow in faith.
I currently lead two clubs, one in the city center and the other one that is just starting in a nearby neighborhood. Our focus is on high school kids and we are training leaders to open a Wyldlife club in the next six months.
MY PRAYER REQUESTS
• More volunteer leaders for the Waterloo club. We are expanding and reaching younger kids so we want to start a Wyldlife Club in that community but we do not have enough leaders to do it well.
• Upcoming camp - that we would be able to have dependable transportation there and that many kids hear and respond to the Gospel.
• For God's favor on my family – improved health for my mom. My sister is finishing secondary school and dreams of going to university. We are praying that she will receive a scholarship.
YL MINISTRY IMPACT IN NORWAY
LEARN MORE ABOUT DEVELOPING GLOBAL LEADERS
Through sponsorship, Young Life's Developing Global Leaders (DGL) Program offers Young Life leaders in the world's poorest developing countries a pathway to a future they never thought possible – the opportunity to attend university in their own country and impact their community with the Gospel. $250 per month is all it takes. LEARN MORE