City Harvest Children’s Church volunteers attended a children’s Bible camp organized by Yoido Full Gospel Church.
Contributed By Jamie Lim
The children enjoyed the time with the Singapore camp leaders.
From Aug. 8 to 12, a team from City Harvest Children’s Church went to Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea to participate and assist at the church’s annual English Vacation Bible School program for children. YFGC is the largest church in the world with more than 800,000 members.
After a very successful first experience in 2010, the team was invited back. This year, CCH team leader, Fang Xinwei, 30, led a team of four CCH workers to YFGC. Fang shared, “We feel very honored and privileged to be part of this children’s camp at YFGC.”
A total of 120 children, 20 teachers, 10 parents and some elderly YFGC volunteers attended the camp, which was held at the world-famous Prayer Mountain. This camp also attracted other volunteers from countries like USA, Ukraine, Cameron, Japan and Indonesia, who came with the purpose to serve and be a blessing to the children of YFGC.
For example, the team from USA taught the children body movement classes, which was a preparation for a performance on the Praise and Worship Night at the camp. There were also the regular Bible study lessons as well as art and craft sessions to engage the young ones during the camp.
For the Singapore CCH team, their responsibilities included leading a group of 20 children together with two other Korean Children’s Church teachers. The collaboration between the Singapore and Korean teachers enabled the kids to enjoy a fruitful time of prayer and Bible study.
Moreover, in spite of the language barrier, the Singapore team displayed a love and dedication to the different tasks that they were assigned. “Pastor Michelle Kang (Yoido’s Children Church pastor and the person in-charge of the camp) shared with us that we should demonstrate our love through actions, just like Jesus did,” explained team member Rustin Neo, 25, an IT trainer.
Fang Xinwei (third from right) with the CCH team and Ildoo Kwon (third from left), senior pastor of YFGC’s division of international ministry. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY HARVEST CHURCH.
Indeed, love has no barriers, and actions do speak louder than words. The Korean children could feel the love and warmth from their Singaporean team leaders and were very open to them. In fact, they warmed up so quickly to the group that on the second morning of the camp, the children were wide awake at 7 a.m. and were anxiously knocking on the doors of Neo, all ready excited to do their morning devotion, or quiet time, with him.
The unity of the church and the camp members were evident throughout the camp, drawing a commitment from even some elderly YFGC members who were there to serve. CCH team member, Javius Song, 26, recalled, “They (the elders) were truly inspiring. Their humility and willingness to serve is one of the many lessons I’ve taken home from this trip.”
On another occasion, Kang held a prayer session for the children where she prayed for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and laid hands on all the children. The team of international volunteers supported the entire service by praying and assisting in the meeting, exemplifying a unity within the body of Christ that transcends language or backgrounds.
Song summed up the entire trip. “The trip was a truly enriching one and I know my time and efforts have been well spent. Indeed, God’s love has no barrier and He loves His children regardless of age and language.”
