HOPE PHILIPPINES CHURCH CAMP 2018
From March 28 to April 1 of this year, 385 brothers and sisters including 47 kids from our different daughter churches all over the Philippines gathered to Camp Benjamin in Alfonso, Cavite for the 4-day Hope Philippines Annual Camp. Even early on, despite initial challenges in transportation, the Lord showed Himself able and mighty and paved the way for His children to have a safe arrival to the camp venue. Our young brothers and sisters in Hope Cabuyao began with a lively dance performance and everyone was welcomed as we opened this year’s camp.
Throughout the stay, Ps. Simon imparted various lessons touching on different aspects. The first was how we can impact the darkness by extending grace, compassion, patience, and love to others. He also shared the model that Jesus used when He discipled people so that we may also level up in discipling people wherever we may be placed. He also talked about how to get to the next level, we must learn to go beyond our inconveniences, beyond mere words, and beyond ordinary abilities as exemplified by the early church. Just like how the early church showed how being united is necessary in growing into God’s purpose, Ps. Simon talked about diversity in the body as a gift, and how we must remain united and whole-hearted in serving.
We spent mornings during the camp to delve more into His Word through the facilitated morning devotion via inductive Bible study. Throughout each session, we delved deeper into the passages in John by observing the passage carefully, interpreting it according the Word itself, reflecting upon what we have learned, and looking for practical ways to apply these in our walk so as to be not just hearers, but doers of the Word (James 1:22).
Our very own Ps. Soradej and Dra. Eunice also shared valuable wisdom to help equip everyone to reach the next level. Ps. Soradej talked about the importance of continuing our walk with an attitude of life-long learning to gain more depth in our insight by knowing God through His Word. Dra. Eunice encouraged everyone to Press On by not settling only for the good, but by setting our eyes on the only the best that is Christ Himself.
The days were not only filled with valuable lessons through the teaching, preaching and various workshops, but there was also much fellowship and celebration when we witnessed our brothers and sisters publicly declare their faith through water baptism and through a Spirit-filled prayer and worship night.
To cap everything off, Ps. Simon challenged everyone present during the Sunday service to keep the Great Commission alive by building healthy churches, winning souls, and making Christ-centered disciples. A fitting way to challenge people to really step out and move to the next level. *** Four days felt too short but as with every mountain top experience, we must always go down and bring what we learned from the mountain top into the marketplace. Everyone took home something different since our God is very personal and is fully able to speak to everyone on a personal level, but we can all be sure that the Lord is calling each of us to practice what we learned when we go back to our daily lives and move to the Next Level of exemplifying Christ wherever we are and at all times.
To God be all praises, honor, and glory!
Written by Czarina Ysabel Obligaçion Bernardo