HIM FAMILY NEWS
Hope Brisbane - Ablaze Youth Camp
It was an ordinary sunny winter afternoon on the 26th of June 2011. 80 excited youths were gathered in the car park at Garden City Shopping Centre, ready to set off on a getaway to the hills of Mount Tamborine. Nothing was different about this day – it seemed like an ordinary annual ablaze camp, one just like the ones we have had. We were all looking forward to good times bonding with some of our buddies in church, coupled with a few God moments here and there.
The camp this year was themed ‘Radical’ and topics like radical love, radical action, radical purity, and radical generation were being taught. Spirit-led speakers from Ablaze – Torch, Chris Bee, and Lisa Toh together with a guest speaker named Andrew Foley, chaplain of Brisbane State High School, were lined up to preach on these topics.
What was supposed to be a four-day getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life turned into a time where God chose to show up and touch His people throughout the entire duration of the camp. He was so persistent in having His children experience Him that He even chose to minister to us in times where games were supposed to be scheduled.
- Camp Testimonies
A couple of youths were seen just praising God in songs and speaking words of truths into each other’s lives during that time. One that was involved in this amazing encounter with God was Ashley Lim. He said that camp to him was a turning point in his life where he finally experience the overflowing of God’s love for him. This new found love in Christ has caused him to be more assure of his faith in our Lord.
It was not just Ashley who experienced a life transformation time at camp.
For Donovan Seeto, camp was a time when God brought him back to the meaning of the cross and how he found meaning once again to the things he do in ministry for God’s house. And as for Paul Ng, he testified that, “God reached out to me again so that I can reach out further in His name.”
God also used the time at camp to speak to different individuals about the young generation of today.
Jien-Li Tan can testify to that as she exclaimed that camp opened her eyes to the God-given potential and purpose He has placed in every individual in Ablaze. She believes that she is surrounded by young people who are future leaders and world-changers for Christ! In her words, “we (the young people of this generation) are the unstoppable church of Jesus Christ!”
Nancy Hsu had a similar encounter with that of Jien-Li’s as she saw a community of young people being built up and are rising up to claim our generation back for Christ!
Finally, for first-timer Wendy Pei, camp was beyond words could ever describe. This was how camp went for her –
“Ablaze camp 2011 was themed 'Radical', and personally, over the time we spent in Mt Tambourine, it became a moment where I was convicted to get real for God. Topics of radical love, radical action, radical purity and radical generation were all covered in the sermons. These topics really exposed me to more of God's character and God's calling for our involvement in ministries. Throughout the camp, it was also evident that God was shaping His church, changing the culture of the church to reflect more of His heart. Almost a month later, it's heartwarming to see cliques being broken down in church, and to see people who are willing to support and encourage each other on our walks with God. Camp really helped me explore how God wanted to work into my life, and definitely shifted my perspectives from complacency to action.”
It is safe to say that the Ablaze camp this year was indeed a stepping-stone of what God is doing in the lives of every member in Ablaze. We are believing God for greater things to come as we embark on this new season of our lives together as an Ablaze family.
It is safe to say that the Ablaze camp this year was indeed a stepping-stone of what God is doing in the lives of every member in Ablaze. We are believing God for greater things to come as we embark on this new season of our lives together as an Ablaze family.
CCM Conference 2011 “Radicalis” was a huge success. It was an adrenaline-pumping weekend, whereby close to 200 young people gathered to sit under the Word of God. Pastor Lance preached to us on the “Fear of God”. In particular, Pastor Lance challenged us to not take God lightly. He is a compassionate God; however, it is definitely not a smart move to oppose Him. Pastor Joshua preached to us about “Radical Love” and “Radical Multiplication”. These two messages reinforce the direction that the Lord has given to the student district at Hope Church, Brisbane.
Since the end of 2010, the Lord has laid in Pastor Joshua’s heart and the hearts of the leaders that we are to believe Him for radical multiplication. The presence of the Holy Spirit was overwhelming in bring convictions into our hearts. On the Sunday morning, many people renewed their commitment to the Lord in loving and serving His Kingdom purpose; more than 10 people were baptized with the Holy Spirit; three people made the decision to accept Christ. Other than encountering God, we thoroughly enjoyed one another’s company. One of the highlights of our program was “CCM’s Got Talent”, through which we witnessed the gifts the Lord has given His people.
The reason we themed our conference “Radicalis” (Radical) was that we want to go back to the root (Christ). We believe that it definitely served its purpose. “Glory to God in the highest, peace to men in whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:14
Written by Ray Chan
