The document contains reflections from youth camp attendees on how their experience renewed and strengthened their faith. It also contains encouragement from pastors on steps believers can take to stay committed in their faith after their camp experience, including meeting together regularly for encouragement, reading and meditating on God's word, drawing near to God in prayer, and fixing their eyes on Jesus.

1. HS
L GHT
“YoCa 2011 has really opened my eyes in many
things. I was renewed & changed. And after the
camp I have firmly decided not to be a fool like a
dog who returns to its own vomit. I will not
go back where I had been. But live a life set
apart for God, pleasing Him & bringing
Him glory.” - Mary Ann Laya Ababa
“During my time in camp, I’ve learnt that being a
Christian isnt all about being great at praying or
knowing the bible back to front, as long as you pray
from the heart and you are doing it for Him.
It’s not about the cross that you wear around
your neck or the songs that you know so well and
sing along to at church to show that you are a
Christian, its why you do it and who you are
doing it for that counts.” - Amanda Torio
“After camp, I feel so renewed. I realize that
God created me the way I am, the way we are,
for His glory, from His image. Each one of us are
uniquely created and we should be thankful for
what we have.” - Den Patrick Malanog
“God has already planted a seed in my heart; the
challenge now not just for me but for you too is to
apply what we’ve learned and to sow the seed.
There are tough times ahead but we should not
lose hope, we should equip ourselves and
continually depend on God.” - Christine Inciong

2. 1. Meet up regularly to en- 2. Read and meditate on
Staying On Course
courage one another! It will the Word of God! God’s
be impossible for anyone Word not only has the
of us to grow and become power to examine our
more mature on our own. hearts, but also is able to
We need each other if we effect the changes in us for
are to persevere. Let us which it was uttered.
make sure that no one is
left behind. “12 The word of God is
By Pastor Stefan T. alive and active, sharper
“24 Let us be concerned than any double-edged
for one another, to help sword. It cuts all the way
Youth camps are great! Not only do they provide us
one another to show love through, to where soul and Move On!
with a change of scene and a break from our daily By Pastor Rene
and to do good. 25Let us spirit meet, to where joints
routine, but they also give us a real opportunity
not give up the habit of and marrow come together.
to cement friendships and renew our passion for “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence,
meeting together, as some It judges the desires and
God. Usually we go back home with a great deal of add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to
are doing. Instead, let us thoughts of the heart. “
enthusiasm and many good intentions. However, knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance,
encourage one another.“ (Hebrews 4:12)
once we’re back to everyday life we quickly realize to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly
(Hebrews 10:24-25)
that putting into practice all those wonderful resolu- kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if
tions and pledges is often more difficult than we first 3. Draw near to God in 4. Fix your eyes on Jesus! these things are yours and abound, you will be
thought. prayer! Whatever our pre- Let us turn away from neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our
sent state, whatever prob- earthly distractions and fix Lord Jesus Christ!” - 2 Peter 1:5-8
And this brings me to Hebrews, the book from where lems we have, we can our eyes on Jesus from
this year’s camp theme was taken. In this epistle, come to our heavenly whom we receive our
the writer encourages us to persevere in our faith Father who loves us and strength and inspiration. Life is about growing and growing is about building
even when the going gets tough. He urges us not to desires to commune with up blocks of knowledge, understanding and wisdom
succumb to apathy or get distracted by the fleeting us. He will never turn us “Let us keep our eyes that allows us to discern the good things of life. It is
pleasures of this world. away. fixed on Jesus, on whom building up blocks of virtues and values that gives
our faith depends from us a sense of being and decency. It is about
However, in order for us to stay on course, good “Our High Priest is not one beginning to end. He did building up friendships and relationships where we
intentions and pious promises are not enough. Simi- who cannot feel sympathy notgive up because of the find meaning in all the things we do.
larly, while our intimate encounters with God during for our weaknesses. On the cross! (…) Think of what
camp are very important, we cannot live of them contrary, we have a High he went through; how In the same manner Peter admonishes us to be
for a very long time. What we need is a continuous Priest who was tempted he put up with so much diligent in building our faith with the qualities of
desire to know God more and serve Him better. It is in every way that we are, hatred from sinners! So do Christ so that our lives may not be barren, without
like being in a little motorboat, some way out from but did not sin. Let us have not let yourselves become any joy and meaning; nor unfruitful, unable to fulfill
shore. You need to keep the engine running and a confidence, then, and discouraged and give up.” one’s benefit of knowing Christ.
firm hand on the tiller. If you don’t you’ll find yourself approach God’s throne, (Hebrews 12:2-3)
soon drifting in all the wrong directions. where there is grace. There After letting go of things that are no longer beneficial
we will receive mercy and for your being in Christ, move on and start building
Hebrews suggests a number of practical steps to find grace to help us just your life!
keep us on course: (see overleaf) when we need it.”
(Hebrews 4:15-16)