EXCELLENCE AND EXUBERANCE AT CAMP 2001
"Exciting." "Inspiring." "Awesome." "Incredible." These are just some of the words used by participants to describe Camp 2001, the first ever Teen Camp of the Nairobi Christian Church, that took place at the Central Y.M.C.A. in Nairobi from the 28th to the 30th of August.
"Excellence." This was the theme for the camp, along the lines of which the teenage disciples of the congregation were challenged, taught, instructed and called higher.
The Teen Ministry in Nairobi was formally started in January this year. Kicking off with a membership of 85 teens, it has now grown to a total of 106 zealous and purpose-filled young men and women.
Starting each morning and then concluding each
evening with Team Time, the teens had the opportunity to be in small groups
where they could learn from each other and from their counselors, as they shared
what they were going through and got input on how to change. There were also
powerful sermons, fun activities, lots of singing, and eating together. The
camp closed out inspiringly with the movie "Remember the Titans" and the screening
of a sermon entitled "The Power of One: What Can One Teen Do?" by the Leader
of Youth Ministry for the International Churches of Christ, Jonathan Perkins.
Each teen also got a set of life-changing Quiet Time studies.
In the first class, "Excellence in your walk with God", Rayola Osanya challenged the teens to develop great faith and a dynamic, fruitful life through a lifestyle of daily, quality Bible study and prayer. Jarrett Odwallo, leader of Nairobi’s Campus Church that includes the Teens Region, then called everyone to a great standard of "Academic Excellence". He helped the teens see that academics cannot be separated from discipleship, and that our example in this area will influence both our parents’ impression of the kingdom and our effectiveness in making disciples.
In speaking on "Excellent Relationships", Rayola called the teens to have true love and friendship for fellow teen disciples of all backgrounds and abandon the tendency to group in cliques or overlook the weak. No topic was more important than "Excellence with your Parents", and Jarrett opened the eyes of many to learn to appreciate their parents and also become friends with them.
Steve and Carol Mukenya, the guest speakers for the event, met separately with the brothers and sisters respectively and candidly challenged and counseled them on being excellent in their purity. They made it clear that now is the time for the teens to lay a great foundation of purity in their lives, and avoid the mistakes made at this age by those who became disciples later on in life.
Herve Fleurant, GSL for East Africa, highlighted the need for "Excellence in Your Character", and preached powerfully that out character must be tested for us to truly grow and mature in our godliness.
Playing Basketball
Camp 2001 was unprecedented in bringing the teens together in a forum where they could interact more closely than ever before and make a lot of new friends. The sheer zeal of the teens as the camp progressed was evidence of how much it met needs and provided a great platform for the Teen Ministry to grow in even greater numbers and spiritual depth.
Many teens regretted that the camp did not continue longer. Patrick Owesi, who celebrated his 20th birthday on the final day of the camp, observed that "it put a great zeal in the disciples". Evelyn Muriuki exclaimed that "it was inspirational", noting that "the zeal progressed with each new day." Anne Auma noted with joy that everything that was taught was what the teens needed. "It was convicting and challenging," she said. Fred Arogo, the leader of the Teens Region, appreciated that a lot of things in the individuals’ lives and in the ministry as a whole were exposed through the camp.
Playing Volleyball
Without doubt, Camp 2001 lit an incredible fire in the hearts of the Nairobi teens and changed the lives of everyone present. From here, there is only one direction for the Nairobi Christian Church Teen Ministry to move and that is forwards – boldly, confidently, triumphantly and excellently forwards.