The scorching sun beamed gloriously on the grounds in the rainy December season as sounds of loud cheering and clapping erupted from the halls of Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School. It was the first day of the Breakaway Youth Camp 2007 organized by City Harvest Church (CHC).

The event was held during the first two weeks of December 2007, involving more than 1,800 youth. Young people over the age of 13 came together for a time of bonding and exhortation during this 3-day-2 night school holiday event. The excitement began building up in early November as the youth started impromptu discussions on the camp blog, www.breakawaycamp.blogspot.com. Some of the youth invited their friends using trailers and tried contacting their friends through the recent Internet craze, Facebook.

The tagline for this year’s camp was: “Breakaway from all Limitations! Unleash the potential in You!” This definitely served as a reminder to the youth to step out of their comfort zone, to engage culture, and to become the salt of the earth, and the light of the world for the glory of God.

EXCITING ACTIVITIES

What fun would a youth camp be without games? Throughout the camp, games such as The Amazing Race, team games and war games were played. Stations were set up as campers had to pit against one another in both speed and wit. Balloons were stepped on, papayas were used in place of an actual ball in the game of Captain’s Ball and eggs were mercilessly smashed onto each other’s bodies. All the campers really got ‘down and dirty’ with mud and flour. Fear factor games were the most heart-pounding as campers had to consume fried insects such as locusts and worms. They also had to put their hands into “mystery” boxes filled with raw pig intestines and fish eyeballs as part of a guessing game.

War games were the most exciting as the different teams had to protect their territories and invade the other teams at the same time. Strategies were discussed as campers sought to attack the opposing team without being “captured and tortured” by them and to emerge as champions. There was no better way to end the games than with a massive water-bomb attack.

The night games were challenging as the organizers of the camp aimed to build up confidence and courage among the youth. In the middle of the night, just before lights out, a “terrorist attack” broke out in the school hall. Sirens rang, lights were switched off and “smoke bombs” were thrown to create the visual effect of an invasion. Everyone screamed in horror as they were made to put on blindfolds and carry out tasks in order to free their leaders who were captured. In the night walk itself, communication was the key to overcoming the obstacles. Each person had to walk along benches, climb up and down the stairs and carry out simple exercises. Later, they were isolated in pairs and had to gather their entire team together while being totally sightless. It was truly thrilling and victorious as the teams finally rescued their leaders and achieved “freedom.”

CAMPFIRE NIGHT

The campfire was held on the second night which was also an evangelistic event. It started with the campers having a barbeque and feasting on the wide variety of food. At about 7.30 p.m., campers gathered at the parade square as one of CHC’s youth pastors, Wu Yuzhuang, went up the second level to ignite the campfire. Cheers and excitement saturated the atmosphere as the fireball was lit up and flew toward the campfire. The wood burst into flames, burning in red, green and white light.

The songleaders climbed up onto the makeshift stage and began teaching the people campfire songs. Classics like “Flea Fly Flo” and “Father Abraham” pumped the atmosphere, while the “Friendship Dance” allowed greater interaction between the youth as they danced with one another, exchanging partners at every new verse. Cries of delight and laughter filled the place that evening.

POWERFUL TEACHING SESSIONS

The highlight of this entire Breakaway Youth camp was definitely the powerful teaching sessions by the church leaders.

In the first session, Ps. Zhuang shared a message entitled, “The Four Limitations That We Need To Breakaway From.” He encouraged the youth to break away from the old into the new, in order to live in the “promised land.” He encouraged the young people to excel in their studies, their careers, their family and relationships, and lead a happy and healthy life. The first thing they had to do was to break away from the fear of failure, bad habits, bitterness and shame. This set the platform for the rest of the sessions as the young people realized that there is no condemnation in God. Everybody makes mistakes, but the most important thing is knowing we can learn from our mistakes and turn our tombstones into stepping stones.

He also shared from 1 John 3:20-22, saying, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” The devil loves to put condemnation in our lives, but God has called us to liberty in Him. He has a great plan for all and has chosen all His people by His grace and mercy to do great things for Him.

With that, he gave an altar call for those who struggled in the four areas and prayed for them. Hundreds of people responded and came to the altar with tears flowing down their cheeks, and hearts opened to believe God for a breakthrough.

Stany Waiyan, 15, says, “I didn’t know that I harbored bitterness toward my family. But as I came before God, I made a decision to forgive those who have hurt me and to bless them even if it isn’t easy. I now know that God has also given me confidence to use my talents and abilities to do great things for the Kingdom of God. I choose not to be afraid anymore!”

In the second session, Eric Wong, who is a church zone supervisor, shared about the decision to follow Jesus because we all reflect who we follow after. There are three things in which we need to follow after Jesus, namely, His love for the presence of God, His love for His disciples and His love for the lost. The presence of God is most essential in our lives and we all need to desire, carry and protect His presence. The young believers were challenged to make a decision to live a life of commitment for Christ and not one of convenience.

The third session was a joyous one as the people gathered together to sing Christmas carols. As “Silent Night” was sung, candles were lit up and mobile phones lighted and swayed to the rhythm of the song in the dark auditorium. God’s presence was tangible as Ps. Zhuang shared the meaning of Christmas. He preached on how our past is forgiven, our present is managed and our future is guaranteed because of the birth of Jesus Christ. When the salvation altar call was given, many young people in the place gave their hearts to Jesus.

GOD'S LOVING PRESENCE

The last session was amazing even though it was the last day of camp. During the worship session, the presence of God came strongly into the auditorium as hands and hearts were lifted up in genuine worship. Tears flowed freely in the entire place as the young people knelt down before the Lord. Youth leaders began to share a spiritual word on going back to our first love for God.

Although we always tell God that we love Him with all our hearts, minds and souls, the truth is that it is God who first loved us with all that He is. The manner of His love is faithful, committed and watchful. He protects us and will never leave or forsake us. Our tears are kept in bottles in heaven and all our feelings and whatever we go through in life matter to God.

Ang Weiyang, 16, shares, “I became a Christian only recently but during the last session’s worship; I encountered God in a very real way. Many others were crying in God’s presence as well. It has been a great experience for me ...”

Another CHC zone supervisor, Lee Yilun, began to preach on the type of person God uses. Using Mary in the Bible as an example, she encouraged the youth to seek God first above all things and to have the attitude of sacrifice and boldness in trusting in His promises. Convicted by the call of God, hundreds of youth responded to the altar call, making a decision to be the next generation that will be used by God Thereafter, an altar call was given for baptism in the Holy Spirit. The power of God filled the auditorium and 51 newly converted believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in new tongues.

CHANGED LIVES

Throughout the entire Breakaway Camp, salvation altar calls were given in all four sessions. Out of the 105 new friends who came, there were 80 who gave their hearts to Jesus. Kelvin Tan, 22, who was the camp commandant, said it best, “Organizing this camp really did enlarge my capacity. But more this camp’s success, what brought me greater joy was in seeing 80 people responding to Jesus!”

It has indeed been an exhilarating camp. More than just fun and excitement, the young people in CHC have carried away with them a greater love for God and His people, and are willing to pay the price to build God His Kingdom and reveal His glory to the world!

Quoting Lokies Khan, 15, “[The] Breakaway Camp has definitely transformed me. I’ve been inspired, encouraged and empowered through the camp. I have made new friends and at the same time, inspired them. I have experienced and encountered God in a real way. His presence was tangibly felt in every session. Words alone can never fully express my experience at the camp ... You must experience it for yourself,” he emphasized. HT