Emerge camps, which happen every June, are beloved and honored tradition in City Harvest Church for good reason—God moves ever more powerfully each year. 2019 is no exception.
By Calista Io
June is the halfway mark of the year, the best time to take stock and recalibrate for the next half of the year—it’s the month-long school holidays too. What better time to gather the youths at camp where they can make friends and meet God for three days and two nights? Each year, each pastoral zone in CHC organizes a camp for members below the age of 25.
City News spoke to the brains behind the camps—the camp commandants—to find out what they set out to do this year, and what they each gleaned from the experience.
CAMP PROTÉGÉ: GO FORTH
Aw Yao Feng, 25
CAMP CAPTURED
Karuna Zoey Chua, 24
“We at KEL Zone named our camp, Camp Captured because of the vision our pastoral supervisor, Kelvin Tan, gave to us at the start of the year. His vision was for ‘youths to be captured, young adults to be rekindled’. Being the camp commandant has been a humbling experience for me. I knew that I had to lean on God’s strength even more than I ever have. After ministering to the members during the final session of the camp, I was reminded of Luke 5:16: ‘So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.’ This verse reminded me that just like Jesus, I had to seek God more often in my own solitude time with Him. I may not be able to accomplish much by my own strength, but with God, I can do so much more.
CAMP I AM
Lee Ming Hui, 25
“Camp I AM focused on two areas: our identity in God, and God, the great I AM. The understanding of these two truths is key to a victorious Christian life. While God has revealed His name and promises to us, we must also be secure in our identity in Christ. The world constantly reminds us of our failures, but the voice of God assures us that ‘I AM well-loved’ and ‘I AM created with a purpose’. ‘I AM who God says I AM.’ This journey has been a humbling experience for me. Everyone served to the best of their ability, not for self-recognition, but for the glory of God to fall upon the camp. Youths also stepped up to serve in ways that they would never have imagined. This shows me that God is really not looking for capable people, but for people who are willing to obey His call.”
CAMP ENLARGE
Sabrina Soong, 25
“I was very privileged to be the camp commandant for my zone’s youth camp this year. The theme of Camp Enlarge this year was ‘Grow 2 B Disciples’. Our desire was for our members to grow in Christlikeness, to be true disciples for Jesus. We witnessed how each zone member grew and stepped out of our comfort zones for God. Our youth served in the camp committee, played in the music team and led camp programs. Some even flagged, prophesied, painted and worshiped with dance for the very first time! We even saw healings take place in our sessions. All of us had our own tangible encounters with God. God is so good!”
LOUD! CAMP
Marcus Ng, 28
“This year, the theme of our camp was ‘Like Never Before’ because we believed that this camp would be a camp like no other. We believed that God would work mighty signs and wonders in every camper’s life and that many new friends would come to our camp. Indeed, throughout our camp, we saw many members encounter God like never before. People were experiencing holy laughter, deliverance, and healing. We also saw a total of 41 first time campers and 19 decisions made for Jesus. Praise the Lord! We are believing that God is going to continue working mightily in the zone and in the church. Truly, this year is going to be a year like no other!”
CAMP ENCOUNTER
Torance Paul Cheong, 31
“In the midst of heavy job workloads, wedding preparations and settling into my new home, I heard God’s voice calling out to me, ‘Come’. I felt that God had given me an assignment: to lead lost souls to salvation. During the process of planning the camp, I felt like Peter walking on water, uncertain of the steps which I had to take. However, God continually assured me that He was with me, guiding me through the process. From the first committee meeting to the final session, I grew in the knowledge that God is a good Father and that He is always ready to catch us when we fall. All in all, I only have God to thank for all the wonderful testimonies. This year, we saw a total of 96 new friends and 47 decisions made at the camp! It was all worth it. Truly, we owe the world an encounter!”
CAMP HEARTCORE
Jeanette Amanda Zee, 23
“This year, Camp Heartcore’s slogan was ‘Brave to Grow’, which means to courageously live out who God has called us to be. I feel that we have truly demonstrated this in camp because all of us courageously faced our pain, hurts and struggles in order to grow. A memorable experience in the camp was an activity called ‘The Raw Room’. It was an activity in which all of us courageously shared our personal views. Through this process, all the campers bonded as one, knowing that we can grow together in God’s love in spite of our struggles and imperfections. During the activity, God’s presence saturated the atmosphere and we knew we were not alone in our struggles. Seeing how our members opened up to share their views really touched me and made me realize that we are all united in this journey of growth.”
LIMITLESS: ARMY OF GOD
Ryan Aaron Phua, 22
“The vision for this year’s LIMITLESS Camp was ‘Limitless AOG (Army of God): Break Every Chain’. In every army, there is a Special Operations Force that specializes in infiltrating hard-to-reach places to rescue hostages and set them free. In the same way, we also wanted to raise up a Special Operations Force made up of youths who are filled with the Holy Spirit and ready to fulfill the mission of Isaiah 61:1. Throughout the camp, we sought to empower youths to fulfill God’s purpose for them in the world. Personally, this camp has reaffirmed my personal calling and shown me the power of a life laid down in surrender to God. I am believing that the youths of LIMITLESS Camp will rise up as true disciples and soldiers of Christ, ready to take their campuses, Asia and eventually the world by storm.”
CAMP FUEL
Kayven Tan, 23
“This year’s Camp Fuel was unlike any other. It was a camp completely led by the youth, for the youth. The vision for our camp was to encourage our members to abide by God’s Word, to grow in their walk with God and to increase in their fruitfulness in Christ. Throughout the camp, all of us experienced great hunger and freedom in the spirit. Hearts were turned back to God and lives were transformed. The camp may have ended, but we are still fueled up and ready to be set ablaze by the fire of God!”
CAMP UNITE: ARISE (SECONDARY)
Nicholas Ho, 27
“‘Arise’ was the theme of this year’s Camp Unite and it was based on Isaiah 60. Our objective was for the youth to ‘Arise and Go Deeper’ in their identity in Christ; to ‘Go Higher’ by stepping into their calling and exercising the spiritual gifts, and to ‘Go All Out’ by receiving God’s anointing to bring revival to their generation. One moment that I remember deeply was during the last session when I was reminded of Psalm 61. I believe this Scripture is a prophecy for all the youths who will become cell group leaders, zone supervisors, and pastors in the future. These are youths who will not just minister to a single generation within their lifetime, but will also establish a legacy for future generations!”
CAMP UNITE: ARISE (TERTIARY)
Justin Seah, 26
“One of the highlights of Camp Unite: Arise was seeing how youths of all ages began to step out in faith to pray for one another and even prophesy. Their words were simple, yet powerful in so many ways. By the end of the camp, many campers had gained a revelation of who God is and what He can do through them. Just as it says in Isaiah 60:1, God has shown us a glimpse of how we can rise up from our spiritual dullness and shine in radiance. The camp may have ended, but I pray that this experience will never stop inspiring us as we continue to pray, study the Word, move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and impact people around us.”
CAMP KAINOS
See Toh Waiyin, 34, a teacher
“The vision for Camp KAINOS this year is growth! This is our second year running a camp and we are believing for God to enlarge our tents for greater growth and revival. Our houses were named after the four rivers that come out of the Garden of Eden. Pishon represents an increase or full flowing because God is a God of abundance. Gihon represents bursting forth—campers that shift their focus from their personal needs to serving and loving others. Tigris represents swiftness–campers would grow to be like swift arrows in flight and run each step with purpose, swift and deliberate in their praying. Euphrates means sweet or fruitful–that we will grow in fullness, overflow, and purpose and the result is experiencing sweetness and fruitfulness. I see a new KAINOS generation rising up to take their place! There is hunger for encounters and a fire has been ignited in the hearts of the campers. I am excited to see the youths revived in their hearts for things of God!”
CAMP ONE: GROW HIS KINGDOM
Cindy Kwoh, 26
“The theme of our camp for this year is ‘Grow His Kingdom’. In order to grow God’s Kingdom, we must be resilient, faith-filled disciples who will courageously respond to God’s calling. These are people who are willing to preach the full Gospel to the whole world at any cost! Personally, this camp has shown me that all of us serve a limitless God. There is really no limit to His glory, power, and presence in our lives.”
CAMP CONNECT
Cecelia Tay, 26
“Camp Connect’s theme for this year was ‘Kingdom Legacy’. We wanted to challenge our youths to build the legacy of God’s Kingdom and invest in things with eternal value, just as it says in Psalm 2:8. Many of our members received the revelation of living with eternity in their hearts and having an urgency for soul-winning. During the camp, Pastor Kenneth (Sim) inspired the youths with the story and calling of City Harvest Church. He gave an illustration of how ecologists have found that young trees grow best when they are planted together with older trees. Likewise, we, the youth generation, also need to join the seasoned generation in the work that God is doing in City Harvest Church.”
CAMP GINOSKO: GROW
Brandon Chew, 27
CAMP UNSTOPPABLE
Caleb Koh, 16
“This year was my first time leading as a camp commandant at Camp Unstoppable. Throughout the entire process of planning and execution, I felt that we all grew personally. When I went for camp, I prayed, fasted and believed that all of us would experience growth in our lives, in our walk with God and in our zone. And God has not shortchanged me once. During worship night, I had a vision of the members praying and prophesying for one another. That night, God’s presence came upon us and we all started praying and prophesying for one another—the vision that God had given me was fulfilled right before my very eyes! I believe that God can do so much more for us. I believe that we will all continue to grow immensely in our lives, especially for the youths to Emerge!”
