A Short Testimony from Ivan!!
Youth Camp ‘07
"In retrospect, the camp was simply a divine set up by God, everything from the games to the sessions to the food, was all because of Him. Furthermore, this setup was all part of God’s plan for us to really receive something from the Him during the camp. I personally had not postured my heart to receive from God, as my prayer for this camp was that the youth, especially the newer ones, would get that encounter with God. However during the final night session, the presence of God was so tangible in that room, and I felt God’s call on my life again, a call for sacrifice and greater devotion to Him. I know that many of us answered the same call; to serve the Lord in full time ministry, and let me encourage you, let that call be fulfilled. We don’t know what the future holds, but God does. Trust Him completely to be our provider and strength through all the tough times. Of course, after a wonderful encounter with the Lord during the camp, many challenges and trails may suddenly come our way. I’m facing a few right now, but I’m certain of one truth, that Christ in me is the hope of Glory. That is enough to keep me going. Since the camp, I’ve already seen God’s supernatural hand acting in my life and I pray each day that we can be a more effective tool in God’s hands."
PS: On another note, I’d like to thank all of you guys who came down to support my family and I at my aunt’s funeral. It was really such an encouraging sight to see all you guys there. One of my aunts’ even commented that she was very impressed with the youth from HMI as they were very respectful and supportive towards the family. So a big thank you to you all.
~Ivan
The Youth Leader speaks:
Like many of you people who had experienced God at the recent youth camp, I too had my life turned right side up in a youth camp many years ago. I can still vividly remember that almost 12 years ago, I was at one of the back rows of the youth camp meeting and while worship was going on, I was just being my usual skeptical self as I saw the people in front of me being touched by the presence of God. At that moment, I challenged God and said, “God if you are REAL, show me!” In my heart I heard a small still voice that urged me to go up in front and lift up my hands in worship. No harm doing that I thought, and so I did. Little did I know that my life was never going to be the same again. As I look back, that was my moment of destiny. I made my way through the crowd, went to the front and for the first time in my life, I lift my hands, closed my eyes and began to worship Him. . And just as I did that, God touched me. It was as though an electric current hit me and I fell to my knees, crying laughing and repenting before God. His power and presence was so real and tangible it was as though I plugged my fingers into the electrical power point. From that day, my life was never the same. I had my real encounter with the power of God in a youth camp. I can still vividly remember that day when my life was forever changed and I realized that Jesus Christ is not just a character in the Bible, or a little fairy tale that I got so familiar in during Sunday school.
BUT……. Where do we go from here?
Many of you answered the altar call on the last night to lay down your lives and to serve God in full-time ministry. I want to encourage you guys/gals to do something about it. Don’t just answer an altar call, do something about your life TODAY! Learn a skill that is useful in ministry. Perhaps it’s learning how to be a good counselor, or to go practice your singing or musical ability if you want to serve God in the worship team. Read the WORD, know your Bible like it’s your best friend! Imagine if one day God gives you the platform to preach but the only story you know is about Adam and Eve. I mean you can preach about Adam and Eve, but you can’t preach about them EVERY WEEK!! Have a disciplined and consistent Bible reading plan. And not forgetting, get consistent and passionate about prayer and spending time in the presence of God daily!
Below are some suggestions of things we can do to equip ourselves!
Skills that are useful in ministry (and life as well!) : (Feel free to add to the list)
1. Preaching/Teaching (Effective communication skills! Take up a public speaking course!)
2. Singing Ability (To lead worship of course!)
3. Ability to play musical instruments!!!
4. Administrative Skills (Ability to organize… yes yes, my Mama always tells me to keep my room tidy!)
5. Ability to plan games!!!! (Otherwise youth/GK/Teens ministry where got fun!?)
Signing out: Eugene (Insomniac)
Youth Camp ‘07
"In retrospect, the camp was simply a divine set up by God, everything from the games to the sessions to the food, was all because of Him. Furthermore, this setup was all part of God’s plan for us to really receive something from the Him during the camp. I personally had not postured my heart to receive from God, as my prayer for this camp was that the youth, especially the newer ones, would get that encounter with God. However during the final night session, the presence of God was so tangible in that room, and I felt God’s call on my life again, a call for sacrifice and greater devotion to Him. I know that many of us answered the same call; to serve the Lord in full time ministry, and let me encourage you, let that call be fulfilled. We don’t know what the future holds, but God does. Trust Him completely to be our provider and strength through all the tough times. Of course, after a wonderful encounter with the Lord during the camp, many challenges and trails may suddenly come our way. I’m facing a few right now, but I’m certain of one truth, that Christ in me is the hope of Glory. That is enough to keep me going. Since the camp, I’ve already seen God’s supernatural hand acting in my life and I pray each day that we can be a more effective tool in God’s hands."
PS: On another note, I’d like to thank all of you guys who came down to support my family and I at my aunt’s funeral. It was really such an encouraging sight to see all you guys there. One of my aunts’ even commented that she was very impressed with the youth from HMI as they were very respectful and supportive towards the family. So a big thank you to you all.
~Ivan
The Youth Leader speaks:
Like many of you people who had experienced God at the recent youth camp, I too had my life turned right side up in a youth camp many years ago. I can still vividly remember that almost 12 years ago, I was at one of the back rows of the youth camp meeting and while worship was going on, I was just being my usual skeptical self as I saw the people in front of me being touched by the presence of God. At that moment, I challenged God and said, “God if you are REAL, show me!” In my heart I heard a small still voice that urged me to go up in front and lift up my hands in worship. No harm doing that I thought, and so I did. Little did I know that my life was never going to be the same again. As I look back, that was my moment of destiny. I made my way through the crowd, went to the front and for the first time in my life, I lift my hands, closed my eyes and began to worship Him. . And just as I did that, God touched me. It was as though an electric current hit me and I fell to my knees, crying laughing and repenting before God. His power and presence was so real and tangible it was as though I plugged my fingers into the electrical power point. From that day, my life was never the same. I had my real encounter with the power of God in a youth camp. I can still vividly remember that day when my life was forever changed and I realized that Jesus Christ is not just a character in the Bible, or a little fairy tale that I got so familiar in during Sunday school.
BUT……. Where do we go from here?
Many of you answered the altar call on the last night to lay down your lives and to serve God in full-time ministry. I want to encourage you guys/gals to do something about it. Don’t just answer an altar call, do something about your life TODAY! Learn a skill that is useful in ministry. Perhaps it’s learning how to be a good counselor, or to go practice your singing or musical ability if you want to serve God in the worship team. Read the WORD, know your Bible like it’s your best friend! Imagine if one day God gives you the platform to preach but the only story you know is about Adam and Eve. I mean you can preach about Adam and Eve, but you can’t preach about them EVERY WEEK!! Have a disciplined and consistent Bible reading plan. And not forgetting, get consistent and passionate about prayer and spending time in the presence of God daily!
Below are some suggestions of things we can do to equip ourselves!
Skills that are useful in ministry (and life as well!) : (Feel free to add to the list)
1. Preaching/Teaching (Effective communication skills! Take up a public speaking course!)
2. Singing Ability (To lead worship of course!)
3. Ability to play musical instruments!!!
4. Administrative Skills (Ability to organize… yes yes, my Mama always tells me to keep my room tidy!)
5. Ability to plan games!!!! (Otherwise youth/GK/Teens ministry where got fun!?)
Signing out: Eugene (Insomniac)
