By: Rosella Abenio
The highly anticipated NexGen Youth Camp 2024, held from October 30 to November 1 at Coconut Bay Resort in Cagayan de Oro, was an extraordinary gathering of youthful believers from Evangel Family Church (EFC) congregations across Northern Mindanao. With its inspiring theme, “Empowered for the Harvest,” the camp united 96 delegates, including youth and pastors from the EFC chapters in Cagayan de Oro, Malaybalay, Lala, Mambayaan, and Manticao. This sacred assembly was not merely an event, but a profound convergence of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and divine transformation, heralding a future brimming with God-given purpose and sacred vocation.
Anchored in the passage from Matthew 9:37-38—“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field”—the camp’s thematic focus was to embolden the youth to heed God’s clarion call to become laborers in His expansive kingdom. Every session—from exuberant worship to impassioned messages—was meticulously crafted to ignite a fervent desire in the young hearts to pursue divine purpose with unwavering dedication and zeal.
The inaugural day was characterized by an energetic registration process, wherein delegates were warmly welcomed by the camp committee. As they received their IDs, brochures, and room assignments, the air was thick with palpable anticipation. Pastor Roberto Padinit offered a gracious welcome, setting the tone for an experience marked by spiritual growth, empowerment, and a renewed sense of mission. Following the orientation, the evening session unfolded with the formal introduction of the theme, “Empowered for the Harvest.” The night culminated in a stirring sermon delivered by Rev. Andrew Kwong, whose message—“Live a Larger Life”—exhorted the youth to abandon narrow visions and embrace a life of expansive purpose, courage, and divine impact. He urged them to transcend self-centered aspirations and devote their lives to the greater mission of soul-winning and kingdom expansion.
The second day commenced with an early morning devotion, which grounded delegates in a spirit of prayerful reflection and intimate connection with God. Pastor Eleazar Ello imparted a profound reminder of the empowerment bestowed upon believers through the Holy Spirit to participate in the spiritual harvest. He emphasized that, as new creations in Christ, the youth were divinely equipped to represent God’s love in their communities with boldness and clarity. The morning service followed, wherein Pastor Roberto Padinit expounded upon the essence of being “empowered for the harvest.” He articulated that this empowerment encompasses not only a personal relationship with God but also a profound awareness of His divine mission and a resolute commitment to act in alignment with it. He called the youth to discern the spiritual needs around them, recognize opportunities for evangelism, and respond to the urgency of the harvest with fervent obedience. True empowerment, he proclaimed, emanates from an acute awareness of God’s ongoing work in the world and a faithful response to that work.
A pivotal component of the camp experience was the intimate small group workshops, where delegates engaged in deep discussions on how to embody the theme of being “empowered for the harvest.” These sessions fostered a sense of camaraderie, allowing the youth to encourage, challenge, and learn from one another, while simultaneously deepening their personal connection to God’s mission.
The day’s schedule was punctuated by dynamic activities designed to stimulate both intellectual and spiritual growth. The Amazing Race served as a team-building challenge, wherein participants navigated six stations, each imbued with thematic challenges that required collaboration and tenacity. This invigorating exercise reinforced the importance of working in unison to achieve a common goal, mirroring the collective effort required to bring in God’s harvest. The afternoon session was a harmonious blend of hands-on learning and introspective reflection, which urged the youth to step into their roles as laborers in God’s vineyard, ever ready to advance His kingdom by faith.
The evening service further reinforced the camp’s message of stepping into God’s calling with boldness and courage. Rev. Andrew Kwong delivered an impactful sermon, “New Creation, New Adventure,” which eloquently underscored the transformative power of embracing the calling of God. He described this transformation as the gateway to a “new adventure”—a journey imbued with purpose, opportunities, and challenges, where the youth would discover God’s plan for their lives and participate in the unfolding of His kingdom. As they embrace their calling, they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to make courageous choices, break free from the confines of their comfort zones, and extend the love of Christ to a world in desperate need of redemption. This divine adventure, he assured, would be characterized by growth, discovery, and bold faith, as they learn to trust in God’s provision and guidance every step of the way.
One of the most poignant moments of the camp occurred when Pastor Nova Calalin was formally installed as a Licensed Minister of JECPP. This milestone served as a tangible demonstration of God’s continuing work in raising up leaders to guide the next generation of believers. It was a powerful reminder that God’s call to leadership is both personal and transformative, empowering individuals to make an eternal impact in His kingdom.
In a more lighthearted yet equally meaningful moment, delegates participated in a photobooth activity, capturing joyful memories of their time together. This creative exercise, along with a beads-making session, allowed the youth to reflect on the theme of being “empowered for the harvest” while creating lasting mementos of their shared experiences.
The camp concluded with an early morning devotion, where Pastor Brian Calalin reminded the youth of their vital roles in the harvest. He emphasized that each participant, whether through evangelism, leadership, service, or support, had a unique and irreplaceable part to play in advancing God’s kingdom. Pastor Jefferson Ouano closed the camp with a stirring message on the “Empowered Life.” Living an empowered life, he explained, involves purpose, obedience, and readiness to fulfill God’s call by sharing His love with the world. To live empowered for the harvest is to be spiritually equipped, actively engaged, and passionately committed to making a difference in the lives of others.
The camp’s morning devotions served as both spiritual anchors and empowering moments, helping the youth deepen their relationship with God, strengthen their faith, and build a strong foundation for the camp’s transformative experiences. On the final day, delegates shared heartfelt testimonies, reflecting on how the camp had ignited a fire in their hearts and renewed their commitment to living out their faith with intention and purpose.
Testimonies from attendees revealed the profound impact of the camp on their spiritual journeys. Russel Lagrimas spoke of how the “food of the spirit” he received during the camp deepened his understanding of God, while Claire Mondelo expressed the joy and peace of serving alongside fellow believers in pursuit of a shared mission. Claire Cornel, in a deeply personal reflection, shared how the camp helped her discover clarity and resolve, igniting a renewed commitment to live with authenticity and purpose, grounded in a deeper relationship with the Lord.
The 2024 NexGen Youth Camp was an overwhelming success, a transformative event that revealed God’s presence, provision, and power in every detail. Through the dedication of the pastors and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the camp became a life-changing experience for the youth, empowering them to step boldly into God’s mission. We are immensely grateful for the wisdom and leadership of Pastor Rowena Kwong, Pastor Andrew Kwong, and the unwavering support of Jireh Evangel Church Planting of the Philippines, whose vision for evangelism continues to transform lives.
To God be the glory for all that was accomplished, and may the seeds planted at the camp continue to bear fruit, empowering a generation of young believers to rise, fulfill their calling, and bring forth the abundant harvest.
