Youth Camp 2021: Homecoming
Written by Youth Camp Committee 2021
Zion BP Youth Camp’21 took place last week from 6 to 10 December. The camp saw close to 70 participants as youths gathered together, in groups of five. We also had many new, non-Christian friends who joined us over the five days. The theme of this year’s camp was ‘Homecoming’, with the camp speaker preaching from Luke 15 about the parable of the two lost sons. Camp activities focused on helping the youths explore and think through what it means for them that they have been invited into a relationship with the Father through Jesus. Praise God for keeping all the campers and helpers safe and healthy over the five days and giving us a great time in fellowship with one another – a glimpse of how Church is family!
Please continue praying for our youths that they will grow in knowledge of Jesus and take delight in their relationship with Him, that the seeds sown in the hearts of our new friends will take root and for the Spirit to embolden our youths to witness to them as we approach the festive season!
Here are some reflections from one Group Leader, and one Youth:
Eugene Poh: I served as a group leader (GL) for the first time in this youth camp. Due to COVID restrictions, this meant that I was the only GL for four other campers. As a first time GL, I felt the pressure during camp to ensure that the campers were not only physically okay but also to get them to share their thoughts and insights. This was particularly challenging for me, as I am introverted and being tasked with asking the discussion questions as well as following up on thoughts and insights were very draining. I thank God that He helped me to pull through to the end. While my first experience as a GL was challenging, I am thankful that I took the opportunity up. Before camp, despite attending meetings over zoom to prepare for the sermon discussions, it did not click with me what ‘Homecoming’ meant for me. I am very thankful that through the sermons and discussions, I saw that for me, ‘Homecoming’ meant the deepening and strengthening of my relationship with God. Overall, it was very encouraging to see the campers in my group grow in their understanding of the parable. All four of my campers identified with one brother or the other. By the end, it was rather clear that we share traits of both. Despite us being undeserving of being saved, God unconditionally and lovingly offered a way to be saved. God took the initiative and offered a relationship with Him to all who will believe. Relationships either grow or decay. Christianity isn’t a list of boxes we can tick off. Nor is it meritocratic. I hope wherever you read this, you will consider taking that next step in your relationship with God.
Timothy Chng: When I first heard the first details about youth camp, I was thinking to myself, “My time has come.” Every year is just one long wait for the next youth camp, and I have to say, I was certainly not disappointed with this year’s camp! Well, this year’s camp has to be my best one. (A lot of my friends know me for calling every camp the best one, but I mean it when I say it this time.)
My camp group this year is definitely the best (for real), the group was a mix of new and familiar faces, but I eventually got to connect and bond with all of them during camp.
Throughout the camp, our camp speaker was an extremely funny, but wise, guy called Jo Tee, who preached relatable sermons that were helpful in helping me to understand God’s Word. One line in particular really hit close to home was: “Nothing you do can make God love you more, and nothing you do can make God love you less.” It really showed how much God loves and cares for all of us, and it made me understand that God truly wanted me back in His heavenly home!
One particularly special moment in camp would be the escape room and I got to see all of my amazing group mates in action, and it was fun to solve the puzzle with my group. All in all, let me offer my final thanks to the camp comm for making the memories I got in this camp better to remember than Pythagoras’ theorem.
We want to specially thank many Zion families who have graciously offered hospitality to our youths over the five days of camp during lunch time. The meal times with the church families was a highlight for many of our youths who had such an enjoyable time, and a clear testament of the family that Jesus brings us into for our non-Christian friends! Thank you to our sponsors whose generous giving made it possible for us to cater lunch for the five days of camp
