14 - 17 June 2015, Bintan Lagoon Resort, Indonesia
Theme : ABBA Father
Armed with an anticipation of a joyous time of bonding and growing, a total of 139 church members and friends trooped along to our church camp this year at Bintan Lagoon. A time of connecting with our families and friends, it was a reprieve for many. We had a blessed time together soaking not only the sun and sea but especially the love of our ABBA Father. Our Camp Speaker was Pastor Steve Chua, founder of Seek First International and Senior Pastor of “Life as One” church, based in Claremont, California.
Pastor Steve spoke on the subject of ABBA Father. In his “trade mark” style of passionate, humorous and visual way of teaching, Pastor Steve imparted to us fresh insights of the absolute depth and breadth of God’s love for us and His desire to have a loving relationship with us as a Father, thereby establishing our identity and destiny in Him. Many of us at the camp were touched as Pastor Steve not only taught but prayed for the restoration of the Father’s love in each camper.
The children’s ministry was led by Amy Tan and her family who shared with the children the meaning and importance of worship and brought each child through a personal encounter of worshipping God, their Heavenly Father.
Much laughter accompanied tables at meal times and even carried through pockets of leisure time amongst the Cairnhill Methodist family. From an all-age welcome water polo game to quiet time on an early morning run on the beach, it was indeed a wonderful gathering of people who love God; our campers were deeply touched and encouraged, sharing (in verbatim):
· It’s amazing camp!
· Encounter with God, Experience love of the Father. Wonderful ministry by both speakers
· Cairnhill Methodist Church is characterised by LOVE . Praise the Lord!
· Amazing, well organized; I can see great teamwork and the Lord’s presence & love
We praise God for a wonderful camp!
Quiet Time With Jesus – Reflection Of Camp Message
A Journey Into The Father’s Heart
The younger son in Luke 11 chose to leave home but he did not leave empty-handed. He did what he thought was very smart. He ‘got together all he had’ (his ‘rightful’ inheritance) and left – to enjoy wild life ... Probably, he felt a great sense of freedom - “At last, I can go where I want to go, do what I want to do, and enjoy my life ...”
The father must have grieved over his son until one day, he saw a dirty young man in the distance … Recognizing that it was his son returning home, the father was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him …
The father forgave his son without a word of condemnation. Instead he called for the best robe, a ring, a pair of sandals and gave instructions to kill a fattened calf for his son. “Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
The Father's LOVE overwhelms me!
Pastor Steve Chua: When Jesus gave His priceless life for you, He bought you back by paying the full price required to redeem you. That means in His eyes you are PRICELESS!
Truth: No one is without sin. The important thing is to come home to the Father and into His arms. In His eyes, we are priceless!
My Prayer
Oh Father God! We, like sheep, have all gone astray! We have sinned and fallen short of Your glory! But, we are now justified by Your grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. You presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood. Jesus did not come to condemn but to bring us home to You. Hallelujah! Amen!
I declare that my identity is in Christ. I’m clothed in Christ. I'm clothed in Your righteousness. I'm clothed in Your glory once again.
I was dead but now I'm alive. I was lost but now I'm found. I have come to my ABBA Father. Jesus paid the full price for me. I am redeemed! I am born again! I am priceless! I believe in Jesus! I belong to Jesus! I choose to walk in the fullness of my inheritance. I know that every blessing in the heavenly realm is available to me (Ephesians 1:3).
Hallelujah!
“Father, help us to comprehend the height, depth, length and width of Your abundant love for us
— Ephesians 3:18
May the world see us as ONE IN CHRIST!
In Jesus’ wonderful name, I pray!
Amen!
Lam Yee Ling