The Emerge committee lays out its 2016 vision and plans for the youths of City Harvest Church.
The First Things First meeting on March 5. PHOTOS: Jonovan Tan
It’s a great time to be young. This year at City Harvest Church, the Emerge team—the leaders of the youth in the church—has a powerful vision to raise up a generation of youths who will emerge for Christ, and be empowered to engage the world.
The pastor leading this youth movement, Wu Yuzhuang, shared this vision with the young people of CHC during the movement’s First Things First (FTF) meeting, held on Mar 5.
Started in 2003, Emerge is a youth movement in CHC that provides a platform for the youth in the church—aged 13 to 25—to realize their talents and be inspired to serve God in their generation. Hundreds of youths gathered at Suntec Singapore’s Theatre Hall for that first meeting of the year.
YOUTH POWER
The theme for Emerge 2016 is “Power”. Zone supervisor Wayne Choong explains, “Youth power doesn’t come from a single youth, but every single youth.”
This year’s plans for the youth revolve around three major areas of a young person’s life: relationships, academics and church. These plans and ensuing activities have a purpose: to bring revival to CHC’s youth and their campuses.
Wu believes that youth have the power to do great things for the Kingdom of God. One of the ways to help them step up to the plate is the Testimony Movement. Every member will be taught how to share his or her personal testimonies to touch the lives of those around them, be it in their campuses, families or social circles. The pastor told the youth that if every one of the 1,800 students in CHC shares his or her testimony with one person per week, these testimonies would be shared a total of 21,600 times between the time period from FTF to the Emerge Weekend, which takes place from Jul 8 to 10.
Pastor Wu Yuzhuang sets the vision for the youth in 2016.
“Everybody has a testimony,” Wu points out. “People can argue about your faith and your doctrine, but nobody can argue with your testimony; it is your own experience.”
Non-believers can be led to Christ through the testimony of youths, Wu told the youth at the meeting. “I want to believe God that out of your sharing, people will come to church and people will get saved. Not through the preaching of the pastors, and not through your cell group leaders or zone supervisors, but through you and your testimonies.”
He added, “This is the time for the Book of Acts to come alive in our generation.”
Wu ended the meeting ended with Proverbs 20:29, which says, “The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendour of old men is their grey head.” The best time to do something great for the kingdom of God is during one’s youth; and adults are the best role models for teenagers.
Jaelle Teo, 20, a Polytechnic graduate and leader of a youth cell group, told City News Weekly that God reminded her, during the FTF meeting, not to fear as she enters a new season of applying for entrance into university. “I believe that by putting God in the center of our studies, we can definitely excel,” she says.
After the meeting, Nicky Ang, 20, a student, said, “There is power in unity. If we as youths really combine our forces to reach out to people, we’ll be able to have a revolution of love.” Ang is Emerge’s campus in-charge for Republic Polytechnic. He adds that the plans for 2016 can bring about a more close-knit campus as its members will have a sense of identity in Emerge through actively serving together.
In the words of Wu, “Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow. Youth are the leaders of the now. Youth have the power to change the world.”
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Launch of Youth Hub
Since Mar 19 and 20, Suntec Hall 605, known to CHC members as The Hangout, has been adapted into a Youth Hub for young people to fellowship after service every weekend. The Youth Hub provides games like Saboteur, table tennis and Xbox for free, so that the youth can spend time with church friends and inviting new ones to church.
In line with the theme of revival, the Youth Hub serves as a platform for youths to reach out to friends.
Spiritual Meetings
There will be three more Emerge meetings held throughout the year to empower youths in their walk with God.
On May 27, there will be an Emerge Night held at the church premise at Suntec Singapore.
Also to be held at Suntec Singapore will be the annual Emerge Weekend Conference. From Jul 8 to 10, there will be special sessions in the morning and afternoon on top of the weekly worship services. The services that weekend will also be dedicated to the youths.
A Tertiary Revival Meeting is also lined up for tertiary students in the month of October.
Events And Competitions
A variety of 12 events and competitions will be held this year to encourage the participation of every youth. They include Battle of the Bands, Emerge’s Got Talent, YouTube Star, Emerge Ideas, The Brainiest Youth, Calligraphy Challenge, Emerge Run and Emerge Sports.
Zone Youth Camps
Youth camps will be held in the month of June, organized by the different youth zones. Specific dates and locations will be announced by the respective zone supervisors.
Study Groups And Online Revision Questions
As an initiative to encourage academic excellence, City College will be posting revision questions and the Emerge Committee would be organizing study groups. More details will be released later. Stay informed via www.citynews.sg
