What would the June school holidays be without youth camps? This year, the young people of City Harvest Church had a wonderful time of fun, but most importantly they each met God in a special way. Campers from each zone present their special reports in the first part of this two-part special report.
Camp Protégé: Game On! (SUN–MJ Zone)
By Kimberley Tay
Camp Protégé: Game On! was held at Kampung Siglap Lifeskills Training & Retreat Centre, from 2 to 4 June. This year’s theme “Game On!” was inspired by Philippians 3:13-14, inviting campers to press onwards toward the call of God over their lives, to take ownership of their generation and pay the price to live consecrated to Him.
The highlight of the camp was definitely the sessions. Pastor Choong Tsih Ming kicked off the first night session telling the youths about his journey of growing as a Christian in the early days of CHC, and how, through the years, he has experienced the power of the Holy Spirit at every turn of the church’s growth. He encouraged us not to let our age stop us from desiring to pay the price to do great things for God. If we are willing, God will bring us on a journey full of supernatural encounters. We will be able to witness His power working in us to perform signs, wonders and miracles. As the session came to a close, the presence of God filled the room and in that atmosphere of joy and freedom, campers began breaking out in holy laughter!
This year’s camp was also especially memorable because it was the zone’s 10th youth camp. To mark this special occasion, our pastoral supervisor, Lim Meng Chin unveiled the new logo for the School of Protégés at the second night session. While retaining the symbol of the crown, which represents leadership, authority, and strength, the crown in the updated logo has been stylised to represent the vibrant spirit of the youth. Meng Chin also shared his vision for the next generation of protégés: to grow in prayer and worship, hunger for spiritual encounters, faith for mighty exploits, godliness, seriousness in knowing the Word of God, favour with God and men, and excellence in life.
After three days of fun and precious encounters with God as a zone, the campers returned to their lives, but this time, with hearts filled with reminders of their identity in God and His great calling over their lives. There are yet higher mountains to climb and deeper depths to reach in this exciting journey with the Lord!
Camp AHAVAH (YL Zone)
By Gabriel Lee
Held on the 9 to 11 June at Changi Service Club, the long-awaited Camp AHAVAH started off with a bang. On the morning of Day One, we played various water games, ending with a final game of Capture The Flag. In the afternoon, we were able to enjoy a hearty and delicious meal of Korean army stew, thanks to the hard work of our logistics team.
After that satisfying meal, Pastor Tan Yah Lan shared a meaningful sermon titled “Potter And The Clay”. Reading from Isaiah 64:8, Pastor Yah Lan shared about the seven different steps a slab of clay has to go through in order to become a beautiful vase. She ended by telling us that her prayer for us was that we would be willing to our lives to God and let Him shape us into a vessel of honour.
Day Two started with a short devotion. Daniel Teo, 18 and I had the privilege had the opportunity to share a short testimony of how our lives had been transformed through experiencing God’s love and leading a Christ-centred life.
We were in for a big surprise in the next session, as Pastor Yah Lan and the camp committee had invited some of our parents to attend the session and say pray a blessing over us. She first explained the importance of one receiving their parent’s blessing through the story of Jacob and Esau receiving blessings from their father, Isaac. The day ended with a barbecue dinner.
On the last day of the camp, we had a final session. Pastor Yah Lan taught us to love and serve others, just like how Jesus loved the disciples so much that He washed their feet. At the end of the session, Pastor Yah Lan proceeded to wash the feet of the cell group leaders. The leaders then washed the feet of the campers before saying a prayer for them.
At the end of the camp, even though many of the campers were visibly exhausted, it was evident that they now had a renewed sense of hunger for more of God and a desire to love and serve His people. May we carry this spirit as we continue to journey with God.
Camp One (LYL Zone)
By Charmaine Teo
Camp One’s theme for 2023 is “We One More” and it was inspired by Psalms 73:25 (NKJV). The camp took place from 9 to 11 June 2023 at CHC’s Jurong West building.
Our first game segment on Day One was called “Initiation”—the campers were greeted, not just by the sea and sand, but also by a mixture of soya sauce, cooking oil, soap and water! The second game segment “Super Mario Party” consisted of station games, rush hour-style. Later in the day, we put up hilarious house performances, before enjoying our first camp session with Pastor Edmund Tay that night. There was such a great move of God that many were saved and received the gift of speaking in tongues!
Day Two started off with the Encounter Room just like the year before. We had the luxury of a few hours to tarry in God’s presence and do what we felt led to. This year, there was a new station in the Encounter Room called Giving to My Brothers and Sisters. We could to write or draw anything we feel led to, and address it to anyone in LYL Zone. The letter will be delivered to them on our behalf. Following that, the third game segment named “Mario Kart Dash” brought us from Jurong West to Suntec Singapore so that everyone could attend Saturday Service together!
Day Two ended with a night game titled “Bowser’s Castle”. The church building was transformed into a Mario Brothers universe, and we had to physically traverse level to level to play mini-games and earn bronze, silver or gold coins. These coins were exchanged for weapons to be used to defeat the “villain” Bowser (played by LYL member, Dennis Tan) at Basement 4. This game was absolutely spectacular because it was as if the Mario video game had come alive. Kudos to the planning committee!
We entered the last day of the camp with a bang at the final game “Super Mario All-Stars”! This was the final showdown between the houses: players fought to be the house with the most numbers of coveted stars. After the games, we had our final session with our pastor, Lee Yi Lun. The presence of God was so tangible as many told the Lord they were willing to make a stand for Jesus as a conviction, and not just a preference. It was a beautiful experience for all and indeed the best way to end this camp. All glory to Him and Him alone!
Camp Koinonia (JE Zone)
By Rebekah Tan
“…WE ARE SET FREE! CAMP…KOINONIA!”
This was the cheer of the campers who overflowed with a desire for transformation. It echoed throughout Sentosa on the morning of 10 June, the first day of the camp.
Campers kicked off the camp with various fun-filled water games, ranging from passing the ping-pong ball to splashing away in the ocean at Siloso Beach. The attendees were organised into four tribes and each tribe worked tirelessly as a team, determined to clinch the first place. What started off as awkward introductions soon became new friendships.
Zoey Khoo, 18, one of this year’s camp commandants shared, “I vividly remember how nervous I was because being placed in this role as being camp commandant was challenging and uncomfortable to me. Yet it was something I chose to do after praying to God for about a week. I was so afraid that I wasn’t going to enjoy or appreciate the progress as a leader and a believer.
“However, on the last day, after we were done with the activity of tearing up the paper in which we wrote down areas where we wanted to experience a breakthrough, I was set free and felt so assured by God, who told me, ‘You are enough. You’re more than enough to Me and for Me. You are doing enough! I love you and nothing can and will ever change that.’ He reminded me that I remain secure in His love and am so free to express that without fear.”
One of the tribe leaders, Karis Khoo, 20, added, “I went into Camp Koinonia with many worries in my head including my ability to connect with my fellow tribe members and the question of my walk with God. However, during one of the sessions, God showed me that camp is more than points and prizes. It is really about personal revelation and relationships, which instantly gave me a sense of relief and gratitude.”
That night, as the JE leaders delivered the prophetic word over each and every camper, tears flooded our eyes. The strong presence of God filled the room like a tight blanket of comfort and security wrapped around us. Hearts were healed, and broken relationships were restored. The leaders spoke about the purpose of our individual lives and many finally broke free from the chains that held us back from stepping into our destiny in God.
Needless to say, the camp was a time filled with joy, laughter and most importantly, a time of transformation.
