Thank you GCF-North!
Posted on 22 April 2009
I was invited by a good friend, Ptr Levi Arnan of GCF-North to be a speaker for their youth retreat last April 16 – 18.
Held at the beautiful and relaxing Word of Life Camp in Calauan, Laguna. It made me reminisced about Summer Educational Program camps that my denonimation used to have in Orr, MN for more than 3 decades.
The grounds were well maintained and the dormitories were very clean. I was given a whole- dorm to myself on the 2nd flr of NEGROS dorm. Ptr. Levi joined me in the room which turned out to be very profitable especially when we had our prayer time together before the camp ended.
When I saw the schedule, I could not stop a smile from forming on my lips – I was going to be the ONLY speaker!
There were 70 campers total – and what I really noticed from my interactions with GCF North was their respect for their pastors. They were all refreshingly respectful. Even the Word of Life staff were really friendly. Having organized many camps, I have experienced different points of friendliness of the camp staff on the spectrum ( whether a Christian camp or not!) And the food served, you would not think you were at a youth camp! Very friendly staff as well, I was really blown away by their genuine friendliness and service.
I spoke first on Thursday night using Jeremiah 1: 1 – 10 as their main scriptural focus.
The following day, I shared with them a material I had worked on entitled “The Butterfly Effect”.
The closing devotional on Saturday morning was about the 3 Prayers for the GCF-North campers based on Ephesians.
Friday night was a Praise and Worship night. Firelane Band really rocked with their songs and powerful jamming especially their camp theme song “SOLUTION” by Hillsong. Their band leader Jaypee along with Strong and others really led the camp into a powerful, inspiring and very touching praise and worship.
Refreshing dip at the pool
Later that evening, Ptr Levi and I had our un-planned sharing as well. I was really comfortable with him and I shared with him some of the things that happened to my family the past several months. We talked about the ministy and some of the things that we go through in our ministry. It was a very cathartic sharing for me, to say the least. What a blessing! We prayed for each other and then he headed outside to make sure that the campers were getting ready for bed.
Thank you Ptr Levi for the trust and friendship! Thank you for ministering to me last Friday night! I got to know your wife Rachel and had worked with her through Students For Christ, before we got together and planned some ministry time together.
May the Lord bless you and Rachel as you take your sabbatical in Korea. May the Lord cause His face to shine more upon you. May the Lord grant us the opportunity of fellowship, worship and ministry together in the coming years. Maybe a youth camp in Korea?
Thank you Shelby and Carlo and the rest of the GCF-North staff who were there. Thank you GCF-North campers for making me feel really welcomed.
I had a blast serving you all.
If I don’t see you guys soon, I will see all of you on the other side of heaven!
PS. My wife arrived on the last day as the busses were getting ready to leave. Thank you again for also making my wife feel like you have known her for years! What a blessing you guys were!
7 responses to Thank you GCF-North!
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Visitors
Nice place!
The grass is green.
Really nice place. It was very well maintained.
i’m sure you were also a blessing to them!
Thanks Gay!
I really love this place, ive been there for 2 times, for joining the junior camp.Very nice place..=)
Hi Jasmin… were you able to joing the camp last April? take care. Hope to be back next time for a GCF North Youth activity. It is like my second church.
i always participate in youth activities because it is good for socializing with other people.-.”