MGCNLCA SHS Students Cross Roads in Boot Camp 2024

For the second year in a row, Senior High School (SHS) students of MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) came together in unity and camaraderie as they spent time with each other for Boot Camp 2024 held last August 14 to 16 at CCT Tagaytay Retreat & Training Center. 

With the theme “Crossroads,” the three-day camp for the Olive and Zion students was a partnership between Makati Gospel Church (MGC) and MGCNLCA to promote bonding among students, cell group leaders, alumni of MGCNLCA, and MGC church volunteers.

“The goal of Boot Camp is to bring [everyone] closer together, with classmates, [and] batchmates. But more importantly, [it is] to bring [the students] and lead [them] to achis and ahias who can help [them] in life’s journeys,” explained Grade 11 Bible teacher Michele Ching. 

The camp had several thrilling games to bring out the students’ competitive streak, along with timely messages and fruitful discussions with the students’ respective cell group leaders and assigned alumni “achi” or “ahia.”

Facilitated by Reverend Harg Ang, each of the sessions was a part of the series “Gods at War,” which centered on the different idols in our lives: the gods of pleasure, love, power, and self. To supplement the lectures, Pastor Jun Go also gave multiple “Turbo Talks,” a series of short talks occurring before the main message.

On the final evening, attendees gathered for Revival Night, where they sang praises to the Lord and burned pieces of paper indicating their personal idols in a bonfire. MGCNLCA alumnus Pastor Nathan Tee shared his testimony and delivered the evening’s clinching message on the gods of self.

Zion student Mayumi Dadap shared that Boot Camp made her think of how merciful and patient the Lord is, saying “The Lord has reminded me of His love and everlasting grace for me whenever I fall short”.

“It [Boot Camp] was actually more eventful than I thought… I enjoyed the games the most because [they were] fun and [they] helped me get closer to my cell group,” Olive student Nadine Mateo said.

Groupings were based on the individual cell groups, and the teams were ranked according to their total scores during the creative in-session games, such as the Relay Race, Trivia, Pitik the Kalamansi, Scoot Scoot, and many others. Additional points could be earned by accomplishing side quests throughout the day. The winning teams were given the chance to pick their prizes from a wide selection before the other teams. A raffle was also conducted, with the winners taking home Hydro Flask water jugs, Jansport bags, and gift certificates from Zhenbao Hotpot and Foot Zone.

“Boot Camp was a great refresher before we kicked off the school year. It allowed me to reevaluate myself on how I have prioritized my spiritual growth during these last few months,” said Zion student Janelle Lim.