Undergraduates from four local universities gather for a retreat organized by CHC’s campus ministry.
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| PHOTO: Celiana Tan |
There was much activity at Aloha Downtown East from July 27 to 29, just before the start of a new semester, where more than twenty undergraduates gathered together for a retreat. The camp was organized to promote interaction among the undergrads, all members of City Harvest Church, and for them to receive a renewed vision and motivation for the new academic year.
The highlights of the camp included the preaching of God’s Word, as well as praise and worship. There to share the Word and their own personal experiences of how they managed through their time in the university were Darren Tan, assistant pastor in CHC and National University of Singapore alumnus, as well as Howard Kuay, also a graduate of NUS, currently involved in business related to education.
Tan shared a message from Matthew 9:36 from the Bible on three necessary actions that need to be taken in order for a believer to positively influence his/her generation. Just as Jesus saw the multitude and loved them because He valued them, Tan exhorted the campers to do likewise and develop a genuine heart in wanting to love and help their fellow students in school.
According to Peter Choong, the person in-charge of the NUS campus ministry and currently in his second year at NUS, the campus ministry is a place where students can connect with one another, build relationships through fellowship, and support fellow students through prayer and friendship.
For a campus ministry to be effective, Tan shared that the key is not found in the number of people involved, but rather, like-minded people who share the same goals and vision for the ministry.
In another session, Kuay shared from his past experience as a campus ministry leader and highlighted seven areas that define a campus ministry: Revelation, boldness to be different, ability to empower others, able to provide opportunities for others to be involved, perseverance in the face of challenges, result-oriented, and most of all, possessing love and compassion—which are the foundation and basis of any campus ministry.
Enoch Seet, 24, SMU undergraduate, related, “The time we [campers] spent worshiping and encountering God together has forged unity among us. Many of us have been touched and strengthened by the presence of God these past few sessions.” He added, “I am inspired to make a difference in my campus.”
Affirmed Soon Wei Jian, 22, a Nanyang Technological University undergraduate, “Through this camp, I am challenged to do more for God in the coming school term.”
Besides encountering God together, the students also had plenty of time to fellowship with one another over meals, barbeque and recreation time. Bonds of friendships were built and a fresh sense of vision and purpose was ignited among all the students.
To join or find out more about the campus ministry, email uni.campusministry@gmail.com.
