Youth Summer Camp in KCHAG - Lebanon (August 30 – September 2, 2012)

Summer camps are considered the highlight of our youth ministry.

Pastor Datev Basmajian, the youth worker of the Armenian Evangelical Churches CE Union, was the leader of the youth camp. The speaker was Rev. Raffi Misirlian, the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Ainjar, talked around the theme “Come and See”. It was based on different events taken from the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ on this earth, and how he invited his disciples to come and see his lifestyle, miracles, authority, cross, and resurrection, and Jesus’s invitation for commitment and ministry.

The first session was about the “Call to a Relationship”, John 1:35-39, Jesus invites the disciples to come and see his household, not only that, but also invites them to stay with him, know more about Jesus and his life/ministry.

The second session was about the “Call to Have Faith”, in Luke 8:40-56, Jesus proclaims that her faith has healed the woman who was subject to bleeding for twelve years. And the second part of the story continues by Jesus asking Jairus to have faith that his daughter will live.

The third session was about the “Call to the Cross”, in John 17:1-19, Jesus prays for himself and his disciples. He prays and asks for glory for himself, which is the cross in this case. And later on he prays and asks that may God keeps his own (disciples) in this world, and protects them from the evil.

And the fourth session was called “Call to Ministry”, in John 21:1-19, where Jesus appears to his disciples and has the last breakfast with them, and after that he calls Peter to continue his ministry after him.

It was challenging for the youth (43 young people) to come to Christ, to witness his authority and ministry, to recognize the importance and heaviness of the cross, and to commit to outreach and ministry.

The leaders were 5, Mrs. Yester Kilaghabian, Mrs. Kayane Misirlian, Pastor Sebouh Terzian, Pastor Hrayr Cholakian, and Mr. Jiro Ghazarian. They have committed their time, effort, service, focus, and availability to make this camp an event that would glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our daily schedule was full. The youth woke up refreshed in KCHAG, had a good breakfast, quiet time with God, worship, session, break into study groups, coffee break, debate, lunch, leaders meeting, rest, outdoor activities and games, shower time, dinner, evening activities and games, sing song, and ended our day with prayer time.

The commitment night was the highlight of our camp; the youth re-committed their lives to God, and took serious steps towards the calls made during the camp through the sessions, and study groups. Also, they had to turn away from sins, and as a symbolic act they wrote it on a piece of paper and throw it in the consuming fire.

I thank the leaders, the speaker, the AMAA, local supporters, KCHAG staff, and last but not least God, that made this camp possible. I believe that from the first moment of our planning meeting until now, we were blessed by his presence, guidance, grace, and power.

For His Glory, Amen.