Annual Church Camp

March 2, 2012

“Life, Lift Him Up!” is the theme of this year’s annual camp. We gathered again at Wu Kwai Sha youth Village for 3 days of retreat with our Lord.

Praise God for the beautiful weather !

After P & W and a few ice breaking games, brothers and sisters eagerly anticipated the first activity. The activity was named “The Precious”. Each brother and sister was given the chance to fill out a profile of someone that he/she wished to “”create””. Then we were given some clay from which we were to create the “”person”” we contemplated. After the creation of each of our unique precious ones, some questions were put to us, inspiring us to think about how we view our creation, how well we know our creation, and how much we love our creation etc. The activity led each of us to view ourselves from God’s perspective. It was a mind-opening process getting to know in a unique way how much God loves each one of us.

After dinner, it was time to listen to God’s words. Pastor Gavin began the 3-days’ teaching by reminding us of the most important thing in our faith the grace of God. If we wish to lead a victorious life that will lift Him up, we have to clearly understand Him and His grace. It is common that as Christians we will try hard to become a better person for God, leading to self-condemnation when we fail. However, Pastor Gavin reminded us of the truth Jesus has come to save, not to condemn. In order to live a free and victorious life, we have to first understand how great the price Jesus paid for our sins was. As this amazing grace is sufficient for us, we are no longer slaves to sin. This renewed the perceptions in many of us, and we were deeply touched by the love of God.

The next morning, we continued to learn about His wonderful grace. By claiming the abundant grace that has already been given to us, we can receive righteousness from God. Jesus came to give glory to the law, and the law is still important as it is the unchanging will of God. However, we were reminded that we should not rely on our own strength to keep the law. Instead of focusing on our strengths and weaknesses, we are to proclaim the grace and glory of God every day lift Him up. By faith we can always say “”thank you Jesus, for you are never angry with me.””

In the afternoon, Pastor Gavin led us further to understand more about the forgiveness of God, and we revisited the meaning of the Holy Communion. Jesus has already carried all our sins, including those in the past and those in the future. When we go to God to confess our sins, instead of saying “”I forgive you””, God says “”I love you””, because all our sins have already been forgiven. This is the love of God.

After the powerful teaching sessions, it was time for some more activities to help us understand more about what we have learnt. In first part of Activity 2, brothers and sisters had to complete tasks and overcome hurdles together while being blindfolded. It demonstrated the need to obey and trust our leader and clearly identify his voice amidst a lot of distractions and wrong instructions. The second part was really special, as it was for us to experience the moment when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Pastors washed the feet of sub-district leaders, sub-district leaders washed the feet of unit leaders, and unit leaders, care group leaders etc. It was a beautiful picture seeing brothers and sisters being touched by love while thinking of Jesus who died for us although we are so unworthy. Teary eyes filled the hall as we served one another. The love of God filled the place. Praise God.

After dinner was the last activity. The first part was on an individual basis. We had to memorize scriptures within a short time, and all of us failed. Then as care groups, we we given pieces of tangrams. We had to memorize a few diagrams and rebuild them ourselves. Praise God that almost all groups succeeded by working together. Then as sub-districts, we challenged the impossible. Brothers and sisters from different sub-districts taught each other their own language. It was a unique scene seeing brothers and sisters trying their best to learn a new language and teach their own language.

Pastor Gavin then explained to us the significance of the activities. After we had experienced and received God’s love, we had to bring it into the world. At the personal level, we should first be less attracted by the limited things that the world could offer. The more we focused on His love and grace, the less we would love the world. We need to know that the church should be the centre of the world. As Jesus had already done everything for us, our job is to fulfill the Great Commission together, committing to one another and looking forward to the greater things that are yet to be done by us as a church. The whole church then responded to God by praying together. Care groups and units gathered together and responded to God in unity. It was a beautiful scene.

On the last day, we had our mission Sunday Service. Nearly 400 brothers and sisters gathered at the venue. After a powerful session of praise and worship, Brother Clemens shared with us how God led his family through a tough period of time when they lost one of their twins. Praise God that with the support of shepherds and brothers and sisters, they had strong faith in God. In the end God blessed them with a healthy baby girl!

Then, it was time for the last part of the teachings. After understanding the truth about God’s grace, love and forgiveness, Pastor Gavin explained how we should respond. Instead of being like Peter who always boasted his love for Jesus, we should learn from John who always expressed how much Jesus loved him. Therefore, we should boast of His love for us. Seeing that we are His beloved is the key to overcoming sins and temptations in life. As His beloved, we also need to practice His love in this world by loving people around us. Brothers and sisters responded to God at the alter call and the call for mission pledge. May we continue to feel the love of God and keep practicing His love in our victorious walk with Him!

After completing the mission of taking a group photo of nearly 400 of us, the 3-day camp joyfully came to an end. Care groups gathered together to share about what they had experienced and learnt in the camp. Afterwards, all leaders stayed behind with the Filipino and Thai sisters for their special activity. They had a really joyful time dancing together!

Thank God for His love and grace for us. Let us bring His great love into the world and keep proclaiming:”Life, Lift Him Up!”