By: Jalyn Joy Bachoco and Hella Nimes
More than 200 Western Visayas youth enjoyed physical, mental and spiritual enrichment in a summer holiday camp.
The three-day youth conference is an annual JECPP gathering of young people, spiritual leaders, youth pastors and their families for spiritual retreat. Participating churches from more than 20 towns in Western Visayas gathered at Dreamer’s Valley Inland Resort, Tigbauan, Iloilo last April 20-22, 2015.
With the theme, “Equipping and Releasing the NexGen”, anointed speakers served a feast of challenging and nourishing messages. JECPP Chairperson Rev. Andrew Kwong, and Western Visayas Regional Directors Rev. Benjamin Chavez and Rev. Bernardo de Jesus were the main the speakers in the morning and evening sessions.
Aside from inspiring messages, the conference also aimed to train the youth for Church ministries. Among these trainings were lessons for guitar, drums and song leading as music skill-enhancing activities. Sunday School, Visual Presentation (PowerPoint), and Discipleship workshops also kept the participants busy and productive.
The camp’s Sports fest and daily morning devotions energized body and spirit, but the most anticipated was the Battle of the Bands. In this gig, not only did the young people showcased their musical abilities, but also the pastors who gave a rocking special number.
Last year, JECPP launched the first NexGen conference which is now an annual summer affair for young people among all the five regions. This year,
the Holy Spirit once more powerfully ministered to all participants. For the youth, the camp was not only fun, but more importantly, life-transforming. On the last day, six participants demonstrated their decision to follow Jesus through a water baptism. With the love and support of their church mates and new-found friends, they joined the global body of young people committed to shine and stand out for Jesus today.
