By Jireh Bautista
Youth camps are fun yet seriously heart-stirring gatherings young believers look forward for. And this year’s regional youth conference was filled with so much excitement not only because of Hidden Valley Mountain Resort’s pools and wonderful sights and the different presentations for the DanDraMuzik Night but ultimately because of the amazing pouring out of God’s presence every heart was expecting.
DAY 1: A Taste of God’s Presence
Day 1 morning kicked in with the arrival of the campers from different places in Central and Eastern Visayas – Bohol, Bogo, Tacloban, Carcar, Negros, Calbayog, Ormoc, and Cebu. Although there was a little change on the schedule because of unanticipated events, all 192 campers were all set for the sessions.
The first session was in the afternoon where Pastor Jay talked about the touch from the Spirit of God that can make the NexGen campers become change agents. He also shared that the true secret to a blessed life lies with our relationship with Jesus. Next session followed right away after a praise and worship led by First Touch Ministry Cebu music team and Pastor Gen preached about the art of pruning. The same with plants, we also need pruning from God in our lives for purification, restoration, and utmost fruitfulness as believers. Like other revival camps, it is the time after the preaching when the congregation is led to just seek God’s presence that make the whole experience unforgettable and revolutionary.
Before dinner was served, everyone had the time to freshen up and enjoy their stay in the resort. After that, the music team from Cebu led the entire crowd for worship to officially start the night session. Pastor Em led the session and highlighted that as youngsters, we should all give our youthful energy to God. Not only because He deserves it but because this is our means of allowing God to mold our character. As we work hard in our faith and make good choices, we are preparing ourselves to get hold of the touch from God and using it to touch the next generation. When the campers were led to just seek God, they were just in tears and were talking to God about their life struggles and burdens. Everybody tasted God’s presence and was just so refreshed and reassured that God is still in control and that His promises still won’t falter.
The first night has ended but there is no denying that every camper was still up for more for the three-day conference had just started and there was more to be excited for.
DAY 2: Breakthroughs and Talents
As early as six, campers woke up for the morning prayer. Camp morning devotions after the prayer were usually done in pairs but this time was different. Brother Gideon, a Transformaker youth leader, was given an opportunity to share God’s Word to the whole group. He shared about the importance of showing gratitude. It is in thanksgiving that we are telling God that we are humbling ourselves down and giving Him all the glory and worth He’s due. After his sharing, he told everyone to roam around and give thanks to anyone who has given them favor or has done them anything worth thanking for. It was a wonderful sight to see everyone just waving their smiles and a great time of thank you’s here and there.
Sessions during Day 2 were led by the outstation church pastors. It is not every service that you get to hear sermons from other pastors so it was a very refreshing and new experience for the campers. What made the sessions even more amazing were the praise and worship times, prior to every preaching, which were led by the music teams from the outstation churches.
The first morning session worship was headed by an all-men band from Evangel Family Church -Ormoc. Preaching from Ormoc pastor, Pastor Renante, followed right away. He preached about serving God as a passion, that serving the Lord should be a passion for every believer. He talked about the big difference that exists when we serve God out from our passion in doing so or from a mere obligation we are accustomed to.
The next session started with worship from a female-dominated band from EFC-Bogo. It was just right, like the previous session, for Bogo’s pastor turn to lead the preaching. Pastor Gerry shared about the way back to God when someone has somehow gone astray. He described in details that the way back to the Lord is a way that is intentional, repentant, submissive, and trusting. It might be this meticulous but the good news for everyone is that this way back to the Lord is always open. Before everyone was led to seek God, Pastor Jay added that the way back to God is the fastest way.
After lunch, official group photos were taken where every outstation church took turns and an entire group picture was shot in the end. It was already a big number of campers in one picture but may it be every camper’s aim that the next NexGen camp population won’t fit in one photo! To more souls saved and reached out!
The afternoon session was led by Tagbilaran. The music team was remarkably noted for their skillful female drummer. God’s word was delivered by Pastor Bene, EFC-Tagbilaran pastor. He had an undeniably good sense of humor that was very evident throughout his sermon that kept the entire congregation alive and attentive. But he has highlighted that serving God is a serious matter and the three necessary things in doing it are embracing the Bible, experiencing God in our lives, and encountering God. He specifically emphasized that encountering God should not be done in any other time but right now. After the preaching, everyone was just reaching out to God. Some were on their knees and some were even lying down crying. None could definitely refute the breakthrough God could bring if grasped with unfaltering faith.
All the sermons were like puzzle pieces that perfectly fit to form what they’re supposed to. The preaching could be summed up to depict a complete illustration of what a true Christian should be and should be doing.
This year’s NexGen Conference was unique because of the DanDraMuzik Night. It was a night to showcase the talents from the different churches in dancing, acting, and singing. It was a really fun night and an amazing time to witness nine incredible entries. From the participants, it was the drama and dancing act from Ormoc that bagged the first prize.
DAY 3: Homeward with a Task
It was the last day of the conference. Some said it could’ve been better if it has extended to a few more days. Well, God has His own reasons why circumstances were crafted to go this way.
After the morning prayer, another Transformaker youth leader was given an opportunity to speak in front. Brother Jireh shared about the future God has prepared for those who would remain faithful. He talked about one’s short-term and long-term goals. It is important to have few plans in mind in order to guide your actions to get what you want to achieve in the future. But ultimately, it is God’s will that prevails. Some events might not go your way but always remember that God is still the one who holds your future.
After the delightful breakfast, water baptism of five brave souls was witnessed. Ray, CG, Annie Mae, Gillian, and Antonette took this step of faith. The rest of the morning was then spent for swimming and fellowship with the new found friends and family.
NexGen Regional Youth Conference may have concluded but the fire to reach out the next generation should never stop. The touch from God will only be alive if and only if it is used to glorify God. If the campers were expecting for change and breakthrough, there has got to be change to be done. Nothing changes when nothing changes. If one indeed acquired the touch but the fire is lost in a few days or weeks’ time, the camp becomes futile. Everything will be. The campers may have set off homeward but they will be living with a task from that moment on. That task is to obey whatever God has commanded them, turn away from whatever is holding them back, share the gospel to whoever God has impressed on them and keep the fire for the Lord burning.
May we, the campers, say this confidently – “We came for real change and real change we’ve claimed”.
DAY 3: Homeward with a Task
It was the last day of the conference. Some said it could’ve been better if it has extended to a few more days. Well, God has His own reasons why circumstances were crafted to go this way.
After the morning prayer, another Transformaker youth leader was given an opportunity to speak in front. Brother Jireh shared about the future God has prepared for those who would remain faithful. He talked about one’s short-term and long-term goals. It is important to have few plans in mind in order to guide your actions to get what you want to achieve in the future. But ultimately, it is God’s will that prevails. Some events might not go your way but always remember that God is still the one who holds your future.
After the delightful breakfast, water baptism of five brave souls was witnessed. Ray, CG, Annie Mae, Gillian, and Antonette took this step of faith. The rest of the morning was then spent for swimming and fellowship with the new found friends and family.
NexGen Regional Youth Conference may have concluded but the fire to reach out the next generation should never stop. The touch from God will only be alive if and only if it is used to glorify God. If the campers were expecting for change and breakthrough, there has got to be change to be done. Nothing changes when nothing changes. If one indeed acquired the touch but the fire is lost in a few days or weeks’ time, the camp becomes futile. Everything will be. The campers may have set off homeward but they will be living with a task from that moment on. That task is to obey whatever God has commanded them, turn away from whatever is holding them back, share the gospel to whoever God has impressed on them and keep the fire for the Lord burning.
May we, the campers, say this confidently – “We came for real change and real change we’ve claimed”.
