Camp Theme Story
WESLEY YM CAMP 2011
This is the story of how God divinely revealed the camp theme to us…
SHINE FORTH
Light Up The World
Matthew 5:14-16 - “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven"
On 3 April 2011 the camp committee gathered, having sought God individually on His direction for this year’s camp. As we shared what God had impressed on our hearts separately, we were so amazed at how it all agreed with each other! Even more divine, was that God had revealed to two of us the same verse, Matthew 5:14-16.
One even had that verse already highlighted in her bible even though she had meant to keep that bible clean and "highlights-free". While seeking God on the camp theme, she opened her bible and was particularly surprised that, of all verses, only this one was highlighted! The fact that everyone was aligned to and shared this vision makes us believe that it was a divine revelation from God.
(Mag Phua's only verse highlighted in her bible!)
The theme “SHINE FORTH” is based on the verse above, and the tagline "Light Up the World" speaks of God's heart & plan for the entire world. God’s light is already in us as Christians, and to Shine Forth is our obedient response to God’s call to see beyond ourselves, to love, serve and give ourselves to others. When we do that, God's Glory will shine through us and in turn He is glorified. The more we love, serve and give, the brighter God’s light will shine.
Here’s something more amazing. In the same weekend that we formed our camp theme, the Desperation band from the USA visited our Youth Ministry. The team leader shared a powerful testimony about a mission trip to Uganda they had embarked on to build shelters for people. As they were building for a widow, she suddenly knelt down, cried and praised God. The team was amazed at her response, and later found out that for years, this widow had been waiting for such a day to come; though others did not believe her, she knew that God would provide this for her some day. This testimony simply reinforces the truth of our camp theme verse to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
“As we are blessed to be a blessing, we should touch the lives of others and we should spend ourselves on behalf of others. Be ready to step out right now. God will show you the way. Just go. Spend yourself, risk it. When God calls you to something and you are uncomfortable with it, run to it. God will meet you there!” - Jon Egan (Worship Leader, The Desperation Band, New Life Church)
As we look at all the previous camp themes that precede the 10th YM CAMP, we see how the foundation for YM has been laid in previous years. Now, as a church, are we ready to take the next step: to Shine Forth and Light Up the World?
YM CAMP THEMES from 2002 to 2011:
YM CAMP 02- HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK |
1st YM camp; various sub-mins came together to officially get YM going in 2003
YM CAMP 03- LETS PLAY CATCH! |
Equipping youths on outreach, evangelism and missions
YM CAMP 04- B.G.R (Basic God Relationship++ -1) |
Relationship with fellow YMers; evangelism to friends aka lifestyle outreach
YM CAMP 05- MISSION SECRET | Surrendering the secret places of our hearts
YM CAMP 06- F.E.A.R | Featuring Extreme Awe and Reverence
YM CAMP 07- DESTINATION | Knowing our Destination
YM CAMP 08- KING OF GLORY | Knowing the KING OF GLORY
YM CAMP 09- LIVING FOR OUR KING | Knowing how we can live for our King
YM CAMP 10- SEEKING | To importance of Seeking God
YM CAMP-11- SHINE FORTH-LIGHT UP THE WORLD | The next step of stepping out & Shining for Christ!
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