Student Camp 2024: Sold Out for Christ

MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) students embraced the theme of being “sold out” for Christ during Lifecamp: Student Edition 2024 from February 21 to 24. Not only did the students bond with their friends but they also grew closer to God through the camp. 

Sharing theme messages on courage, conviction, and commitment, Danny Ching, Pastor Ken Saavedra, and Reverend Harg Timothy Ang enlightened the students who joined the camp at Lima Park Hotel in Batangas, while Pastor Marty Ocaya spoke to the in-house camp delegates at MGCNLCA. The main verse throughout the whole camp was Mark 12:30.

Both camps kicked off with acquaintance games where delegates were randomly assigned into groups and each team had to work together to gain the most points. The first of three sessions was also held on the first day, focusing on the theme of conviction.  

The second of three sessions, focusing on courage, was held the next day. Delegates also participated in a sports fest and showcased their competence.  The in-campus sports fest had five games that tested their dexterity, teamwork, and strength.  The students all got soaked as they had to do the water bucket challenge, go through an improvised spider web, move a tire with an arnis stick, play tug of war, and toss a giant volleyball. 

Meanwhile, the off-campus sports festival was titled “Sold Out: Washed Out,” where delegates were divided into four teams and competed with each other in a water balloon fight. The team with the driest flag would win. In the end, the red team won first place, followed by the blue team as the first runner-up, the yellow team as the second runner-up, and the green team as 3rd runner-up.

On the third day, after a session on the theme of commitment, students on and off campus had a dedication ceremony, where delegates had a choice of surrendering their lives to the Lord, renewing their commitment to the Lord, or reserving their lives to serve the Lord. 

Patmos’ Kenzo Chua, who joined the camp in Batangas, shared, “Student Camp has impacted my life because I think that we were all able to be touched by God. We were all able to be moved, and we were able to finally find out maybe what our purpose was, or maybe what we are meant to do. We were also able to find and renew ourselves in Christ.” 

“Overall, I feel like I have learned a lot in building faith in God, mainly through the 5Cs.  I also really liked the sports fest, not just because it was fun but also because we were able to practice teamwork.,” said an in-campus attendee.

On the last evening of the off-campus student camp, students let go of the things holding them back from being fully sold out for Christ through the bonfire night. A joyful praise and worship session then followed where delegates jumped around and sang worship songs. 

Before the camps ended, each of the small groups was put into bigger groups for testimony sharing. All the mentors and delegates shared their learnings, gratitude, and commitment after experiencing the camp. 

Initially, only 230 delegates were supposed to attend the off-campus retreat. However, the event expanded to cater to 335 delegates and 61 mentors due to God’s blessing. Meanwhile, 108 delegates and 25 teachers attended the in-campus student camp. 

Camp Director and School Principal Evangeline Co mentioned how the team witnessed God’s provision behind the scenes while preparing for the camp, “As we started the camp on February 21, the deficit was Php 335,000. However, God provided. A donor covered the entire deficit of PHP 276,500 on the second day of camp. We praise God for His mighty work in the camp and for His provision.”