For the youths of City Harvest Church, the annual June school holidays is the time to gather in their various zones and districts for a time of spiritual refreshment and challenge at the Emerge Camps. A young writer from each combined zone shares his or her Emerge Camp 2015 experience in this special story.
LIMITLESS’15
By Michelle Heng
PHOTOS: Emerge Committee
Limitless is a movement for youths by youths. The theme of this year’s camp ‘Give Me This Generation’ based on 1 Peter 2:9-10 (MSG). Justine Lee, 24, the camp commandant explains: “Instead of just asking God to give us personal breakthroughs, we felt it was time to ask Him for what really matters–people. God commissioned us to do His work and speak out for Him. Limitless 2015 aimed to equip young people to be God’s vessels and to be limitless in our generation!”
This year, the camp involved young people from the zones led by CHC pastors Tan Yah Lan and Kenneth Sim. The games, which included Cross-fit, Trust Fall and Fear Factor, tested the campers’ physical limits and encouraged them to face their fears.
Held over three days from Jun 5-7, one of the main highlights of the camp was Sportsmania on the second day. Campers invited their friends to take part in four different sports for a good cause. With every five goals scored from the games of basketball, street soccer, captain’s ball and Ultimate Frisbee, social enterprise Soule would donate a pair of footwear to needy schoolchildren. Sixty-six pairs of shoes were raised through this meaningful sports challenge.
On the first night, CHC pastor Bobby Chaw shared on being a servant of God with a different perspective, drawing from Caleb in the Bible. Chaw also encouraged the young people with his personal testimony of wholly following God’s vision for his life, though his natural mind could not comprehend how he could accomplish it.
On the second day, campers were treated to two impactful messages. CHC pastor Wu Yuzhuang preached a message about having the right perspective with no ‘But Me’ glasses of comparison, while pastor Tan Ye Peng shared a short but life-changing message about walking in the right direction with God, who guides the plans and paths in our lives.
Nathaniel Low, 21, a pre-university student said, “I realised God can use anyone, especially imperfect people, as long as we’re willing to obey him, no matter what the cost. Pastor Tan’s message reminded me that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We can pray for our own plans to come to pass, but we also have to be open to God’s plan if ours doesn’t work out the way we want it to.”
At the closing session on Sunday, pastor Tan Yah Lan reminded the campers not just to be stirred up during the camp, but to keep their eyes on Jesus as they run with their God-given visions. She laid hands on all the youths under 21 and commission them to take their generation by storm.
Limitless is all about sowing into the next generation. Through the camp, a group of youths who are not afraid to live their best and take their generation by storm has been commissioned to be God’s vessels in reaching out. This movement cannot be stopped.
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CAMP GREATER
By Fiona Wai
Elisha crossed over into his destiny when he picked up Elijah’s mantle and struck the waters. When the youth arise to take up the mantle from their mentors and assume ownership of the Kingdom, their paths are established and they cross over to their God-given destiny. This inspired the theme of the youth camp organized by the zone led by zone supervisor, Ong Wei Ren–that youths are called to be greater than they are.
Held from Jun 11 to 13 on the grounds of New Charis Mission, Camp Greater saw approximately 120 campers gathering for three days and two nights’ worth of priceless encounters.
The intricately designed game activities definitely earned a spot on the list of highlights. Yet no amount of fun matched the powerful preaching sessions and friendships forged at the camp. Campers received revelations in sessions led by Ong, pastor Wu Yuzhuang, and cell group leaders Jeremy Lee and Eunice Ang, who were also the camp commandants. Their powerful impartations were timely and essential in building up the youth in focusing and having the right attitude to the things of God, launching the zone off to Greater.
Camp Greater is significant to the zone on many levels. This was the first time the zone had organized a youth camp on its own, and the camp’s committee was made up of the next-generation leaders. Many of them had stepped out in faith, taking up key leadership roles for the first time. It was like seeing 2 Kings 2:14 came to life: many “Elishas” rose up to the occasion and took up the mantle of Elijah. Taking up the mantle requires faith in responding, and these leaders lived out the “Greater” spirit through that.
“My most precious takeaway from the camp is seeing the youths pooling their time, energy and effort to make the camp a successful one, because their hearts are united by a desire to see revival and the move of God in their generation. Nothing beats people coming together in one accord to experience God,” said camp commandant Eunice Ang, 24.
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CAMP AMP
By Bethany Ng
Right in the middle of the June holidays, the youths from zones led by CHC pastors Lee Yi Lun and Jeremy Choy, and zone supervisors Veronica Tang, Pauline Kong and Ee Boon Kiat attended the highly-anticipated Camp AMP.
AMP stood for “Amplify, Magnify and Personify”. Almost 400 campers, including friends brought by members, gathered on Jun 14, a Sunday afternoon at CHC’s Jurong West church, dragging their bags down the steps of the bus and into the cafeteria. The three-day camp was about to start.
On the first night, the ever-inspiring Lee preached a message on “getting off the train that leads us to our life and board the train that Jesus is beckoning us to join Him on”. The second night saw another pastor, Lim Meng Chin, sharing a message on being patient in the Lord. Lim ended the session with a time of ministry, laying hands on the campers. The warmth of the Spirit touched all, even those in in the coldest parts of the room. The night ended early but many campers lingered in the Children’s Church hall, not wanting to leave the Presence of God.
On the third day, pastor Choong Tsih Ming concluded the camp’s spiritual agenda with a message on how the people of Ashdod placed the Ark of God next to their idol of Dagon. Over the days, Dagon’s idol was found at the feet of the Ark, but when they tried to put the idol back where it was, they found it once again at the feet of the Ark, with its head and hands chopped off. Choong told the campers not to be like the people of Ashdod, who reverted the work that God did and return to the way they were before. The sermon struck the hearts of many campers. As the pastor prayed for them, the Holy Spirit filled them and brought many to tears and holy laughter.
This writer found herself stepping forward to receive a touch of God for the first time, having always been too afraid to do so. However, this sermon broke the walls I had built around myself, as I realized that while others had prayed for me, I had always reverted to the old ways. I asked Pastor to pray for me to break the yoke over me. I had never experienced the Holy Spirit at its fullest, but that afternoon, I did. The tears I let escape made others cry too, as the barks of laughter caught on with others. If anything in this camp had been the perfect example of what youth camp is supposed to be, that moment would be it.
The camp ended with a carnival, but even the rising joyful spirits of the campers could not take my mind of the sermon and the prayer that I had experienced, the tears and the laughter I had shared. That was my takeaway, the warm feeling of the Holy Spirit circling the room, entering and cleansing the dark days, the memories I had always wanted to forget. Although this camp has ended, the fire, the hunger, the desires for the Holy Spirit the youths have not.
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CAMP RUN
By Ashley Pek
As the church draws near to Emerge, Camp Run 2015 returned, on Jun 14-16, with an expectancy for a great move of God. Youths from the four zones in the district led by CHC pastor, Wu Yuzhuang gathered for a time of growth in their spiritual foundation and hunger for the love and move of God in their lives.
Camp Run 2015 started with amazing activities planned out at Sentosa. The campers showed up with huge excitement for a day of fun despite the unexpected downpour. Starting from the station games to the highly anticipated Wet and Wild tally match between the four houses, Roshe, Flyknit, Airmax and Zoom, campers were thrown into different challenges that were enjoyable but at the same time make them want to shower as soon as they could.
The presence of God was so tangible in all five amazing sessions led by the different zone supervisors and pastors. As the Holy Spirit flowed during praise and worship, many campers were touched and went on their knees as they humbly entered into God’s presence.
Zone supervisor Kelvin Tan preached about being clean and empty vessels in the kingdom on the first night. Many made the decision to be an empty vessel set apart for God, the night indeed ended with a great moved from God.
Pastor Wu Yuzhuang preached a message on taking off the “But Me” attitude and putting on humility, not just when we serve God, but at all times, on the second night. It challenged the youths to put aside their pride and ego just to allow God to use them and fill them.
On the last day, they had yet another encounter the campers had was the session with Catherine Lee, as she encouraged the youths to have visions and break their fears. The campers were challenged to break the board on which they wrote their fears. Everyone was so impacted, ending the session full of hope and faith for their visions.
Empowered by many great sessions, many campers left Camp Run, impacted and touched by revelations. Through the camp, characters are molded, attitudes are fine-tuned and values are challenged. This camp definitely left them wanting more of God in their lives.
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DREAM NOW CAMP 2015
By Beverly Ng
A sea of red and blue formed under the Sapphire Pavillion at Siloso Beach on Sentosa. The campers’ painted faces exuded excited smiles. These were the youths under zone supervisor Leila Tan, gathered for their annual youth camp from Jun 15 to 17.
Deafening cheers arose from Siloso Beach all afternoon as the campers formed tribe and competed to finish an obstacle course. As night approached, the campers headed back to the New Charis Mission for Encounter Night, a night of worship and ministry. There was no sign of fatigue on the campers’ faces despite the exhausting afternoon; in unison, everyone knelt, arms outstretched, crying out for more of God.
On Day 2, CHC pastor Wu Yuzhuang came with a timely message for all the campers: how comparison steals their joy and destiny, and is always the beginning of their downfall. Wu also told the campers that their careers may not be their calling. “Your career is what you are paid to do, your calling is what you are made to do,” he explained. The night ended with Wu and other leaders praying for the youths to be set free by the love of Christ.
Well-rested and hyped up, the campers eagerly heading to Kallang Water Sports Centre on Day 3 for an evangelistic dragon boating event. Many campers brought friends to join them in paddling together for a time of fun.
That night saw CHC pastor Lim Meng Chin preach up a storm, telling the youths that the Kingdom of God is not only to be talked about, it is to be demonstrated. He challenged the youths to step out in faith, work through love and walk in obedience.
The presence of God did not just flow through the pastors and leaders, but also through the zone’s youth band, which had members aged 16 to 24.
“The praise and worship was phenomenal, given that our song leaders and musicians are all very young,” said Nicole Isabella Tan, 20, the music director of the youth band. “As I looked around, it was heartwarming to see the youths praising and worshiping God as the band served Him.”
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CAMP UNITE
By Nicholas Wong
This being my first church camp, I hardly had any expectations for it before it started. I had signed up because of the relentless persuasion from others. Like a boy scout without a compass and a map, I felt like I had no target and no end-goal in mind.
My doubts slowly began to fall away as I helped with the camp preparations. I made a group of infectiously enthusiastic new friends, and spent much of my free time memorizing team cheers.
Camp Unite, which involved the youth from the district led by Aries Zulkarnain, executive pastor in CHC, began on Jun 17. Apart from the exciting games, I attended sessions where I encountered God. For the first time, I felt the presence of God in such a tangible way that I was reduced to a bucket of tears. When we ended our finale session with Pastor Aries, every camper was convicted to actively bring revival to our campuses.
The biggest eye-opener for me was Faith-in-Action Day, during which campers gave back to the community. Together with my team, I had the privilege of running a mini carnival for the clients of Whispering Hearts Family Service Center. We used recycled materials for props but the children still had a lot of fun at the carnival. By the end of the day, I had lost my voice but it was all worth it. Their unmasked, pure joy was compensation enough.
Another event for Faith-in-Action was “Little Things Big Heart”. We wrote cards and gave apples to service workers all around Singapore. While we faced rejection from several aunties and uncles, there were also those who accepted our goodwill and thanked us with happy smiles.
What impacted me most was an Indian uncle who did not accept our gift initially as he felt that he was doing nothing more than his job. When he finally accepted our goodwill, I saw his genuine smile and tears crept into my eyes.
My greatest gain from the camp were the relationships formed with both people and God. Jesus was no longer a distant figure to me but a Brother who was beside me all throughout. I was now the boy scout who had found his compass. I have a goal and that is to be closer to God and learn more about Him through His Word. There is no place I would rather have been for those three days.
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ENCOUNTER CAMP
By Gwendolyn Tan
From Jun 18-20, over 150 youths from the zone led by Edmund Tay, zone pastor of CHC, came together to attend Camp Encounter, a quest to pursue face-to-face encounters with God.
From salt-soaked activities on the beaches of Sentosa, to competitive cheers and lip sync battles, to presence-filled night sessions, the programs of the camp built up the unity and passion of the participants.
During the camp, the youths also had to step out of their comfort zones and reach out to their friends and fellow Singaporeans. It was heartening to witness the youths translate what they had been learning about the Great Commission into action, making an impact for the Kingdom of God one soul at a time.
When asked what they enjoyed most about the camp, the undisputed favorite was “the night sessions”. The night sessions combined entertainment and message. Energetic and creative performances put up by the zone’s dance crew and drama team drew massive applause. These performers had one common vision, which was to use their talents to glorify God.
The entire session hall reverberated with the fire and passion of the campers as they danced and jumped unreservedly while praising God, declaring that this was the best time of their lives to encounter His love again. The presence of God flooded the room as the youths surrendered their lives in worship before the King of kings.
Both nights, the word delivered by leader Lee Seow Shi and pastor Edmund Tay stirred the hearts of the campers, and set them up for personal divine encounters. It was breathtaking to witness young people crying out endlessly for more of God in their lives. The move of God was evident: broken hearts were mended, chains were broken and lives were touched anew. Both nights ended with the youths coming before God on bended knees in sweet abandon and total surrender.
Camp Encounter was nothing short of life-changing for many of the youths who came. Strong friendships were forged, memories were created and the zone experienced a new energy. The campers discovered that of the many things they should pursue in life, God-encounters precede them all.
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LOUD CAMP 2015
By Eleanor Tan
Loud Camp 2015, held from Jun 22-24, was an entirely new experience for both old-timers and newcomers to WAY zone, led by zone supervisor Wayne Choong. The first day of Loud Camp started with all three tribes going to “war” with one another at Sembawang Park in games, tele-matches, and the most memorable of all, cheer wars.
The night session on Day 1 was held in a completely different manner from previous Loud Camps. Tribal Night saw youth praising God together in a completely new and exuberant way. The highlight of the night, however, was CHC pastor Wu Yuzhuang’s message which led many newcomers to give their hearts to Christ.
The second day was spent playing a series of house games at Palawan Beach, Sentosa. The night session was another first in all of Loud Camp’s history. Under the stars, cell group leader Thaddeus Chew spoke a powerful word into the lives of the WAY zone youths. The greatest take-away from that night’s session was that when we walk with God, truly, nothing is impossible.
After which, everyone headed over to Sembawang Park for Barbeque Night, a gathering for good food and bonding. The night closed with “My Story”, an activity where each youth picked a picture and related it to his or her past, sharing a part of themselves honestly with others. Many friendships went a level deeper that night.
On the third and final night of Loud Camp, campers took part in the Vision Run, a tradition of Loud Camp. The campers set aside their fears and overcame obstacles in the run. As they ran towards the finishing point, the campers confessed the promises of God and declared breakthroughs over their lives. The campers would agree that Loud Camp indeed birthed forth many new friendships, new identities in Christ and new faith.
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CAMP PROTÉGÉ PURSUIT
By Phua Chee Kiong
This year, Camp Protégé organized by MJ zone, led by CHC associate pastor Lim Meng Chin, took the youths on a deeper and more intimate journey with God. Starting from the first week of June, the zone organized a series of weekly evangelistic events that saw the participation of 44 new friends.
The theme of this year’s camp, held from Jun 26-28, was founded on Philippians 3:13-14, which says that the essence of the Christian life being one big pursuit, to press toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. The ultimate call of a Protégé is to pursue God as his Prize, discovering that in turn, God is pursuing him. Through this vision, the youths displayed a deeper love for one another, and developed a greater passion for the lost.
During the night sessions, the campers witnessed a great move of God and many youths encountered God face to face. CHC’s missions director Bobby Chaw spoke on pursuing one’s dreams and warned that the dream destroyer would sow discouragement, disappointment and depression to stop one from achieving one’s dreams. That night, many youths lifted their dreams to the Lord and were set free.
Lim preached a powerful word on the final night session on demonstrating the power of God. At the end of the session, he prayed and laid hands on the youths and there was saw a massive move of the Holy Spirit. The pastor also gave a word of knowledge for healing and there were five healing testimonies that night.
A total of 86 new friends joined the camp and 35 of them gave their hearts to Jesus. The campers experienced first hand how good God is to them, and were strengthened in their belief that God has greater things installed for them–a great plan and future for the younger generation in City Harvest Church.
