Every generation is given a call, a gift, and a purpose. There are
generations born to fight for peace; to stand up against oppressive rulers; to
lay foundations for educating mankind; to modernize the world; and there are
those made to fight for freedom.
Our generation has
never known war – at least in its earthly form. But our call is of similar
cause—to fight for freedom that is beyond this world. Fear not, though, for the
battle has been won by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, two thousand years
ago. In His graciousness, He has called us to “fight from [His] victory” and
live free. More so, as He continues to break down barriers and bondages, He
invites us to march alongside Him.
This portfolio goes
beyond highlighting the past decade of the Youth Ministry. As we walk you
through the memorable camps, concerts, trainings, and fellowships we have had,
we dare you to read the stories with grace-healed eyes. Look through the eyes
of Jesus Christ and see how a bunch of inadequate, young firebrands dared obey
God and were never the same again. We challenge you to aim higher, dig deeper,
and dream bigger because GOD never repeats His amazing feats. He always, always,
always exceed our past victories and wild imaginations. Oh, the Youth Ministry
has seen the Holy Spirit move in ways beyond words. But hold on and hold fast.
The best is yet to come!
***
It was in the year 2003
when Pastor Anthony decided to ask somebody from the “parent-generation” to
oversee the Youth Ministry, especially with the increasing concern among those who
were falling into various temptations—with teenage pregnancy as one of the
worst heartbreaking scenarios the church has seen.
The first Youth Fellowship only had three (3)
attendees. It seemed gloomy, instead of promising, but by the grace and mercy
of God upon the youth, this number improved and youth leaders started to arise
again. This also marked a new beginning for the Youth Ministry.
YOUTH MINISTRY - CAMPS
Youth Intensified
Fuel your passion for
Jesus
Date: May 6-8, 2004
Venue: Bayside Bible Camp, Lemery Batangas
Theme Verse: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:6-7
Attended by more than a hundred campers, Youth Intensified
was our first youth camp to have housed a hundred youths and raised nine team
leaders. The teams were tagged as: Worshipers, Visionaries, Watchmen,
Messengers, Evangelists, and Peacemakers. The team names were agreed to be declarations
of this generation’s identity in Christ.
Marking the first year
of the new Youth Ministry, this camp
also laid down the foundations or main goals of facilitating events of similar
forms:
- To provide a
venue for young people to achieve a meaningful summer while at the
same time help them grow in faith and in their personal relationship with
Christ.
- To encourage
the young people to join in worship, nurture, service,
outreach and fellowship activities.
- To create an
avenue for young people to know that they are accepted; and develop
significant friendship with their peers.
- To allow them to showcase their gifts/talents for the
glory of God.
- To provide a
venue for families to experience the awesome presence of God.
- To develop a
deep sense of commitment toward building a strong family.
- To instill a
sense of responsibility for the community.
What Drives YOUth?
Fasten your FAITH. Gear
to your VALUES. Speed up your PURPOSE.
Date: May 2005
Venue: Batis Aramin, Quezon
Theme Verse: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God.” Heb. 12:1-2
This camp in 2005 combined passionate worship, purpose
and values-oriented Bible teaching along with high-adventure activities which
created defining moments in the lives of youth who attended. At the end of this
camp, everyone gave up the driver’s seat of their lives to Jesus Christ and had
Him driving the course of their journey since.
1st Family Camp: Facilitated Sessions for the Youth
Date: April 13-14, 2006
Venue: Olongapo
The Youth Ministry took
its part in making sure that the COG-Dasma’s goals for its first Family Camp were
achieved, especially for the youth of every family. The goals were:
Rated Pure Generation
Live your call. Serve
your purpose. Fulfill your destiny.
Date: April 12-14, 2007
Venue: Rizal Recreation Center, Laguna
Theme Verse: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God.” Heb. 12:1-2
As COG-Dasma continually expanded its horizons, the
Youth Ministry had the privilege to be one of the key organizers of the first Metro
Manila Region’s Youth Camp. It was a beautiful experience of working with the
youth leaders and workers from other churches within the COG Family. It was also a breakthrough
as it catered to a larger number of participants. Careful planning of the
program made sure that the campers from the three regions will see and hear
more of God in their three-day stay at RRC.
Hooked 24/7
Live your call. Serve
your purpose. Fulfill your destiny.
Date: April 25-26, 2008
Venue: Villa Julia, Silang, Cavite
Theme Verse: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by
itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you
remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I
in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John
15:4-5
It was a retreat, attended by 150-200 young people who wanted their summer
vacation to be worthwhile. This was also the first camp where we greatly
collaborated with the Young Adults Ministry. Our Ate’s and Kuya’s gladly volunteered to help lead the participants
of the two-day retreat.
What Will Keep YOUth Busy this June?
MMR Youth: Month Long Session with Ptr. Anthony
Velasco
Date: June 2009
Following the victory of the 2nd MMR Camp,
the then-Regional Overseer, Ptr. Anthony Velasco, took hold of the momentum and
did a series of empowering messages for the youth of COG. The month-long
sessions were attended by an average of 550 per week. The youth, obviously, did
not want to part ways with their new found friends. More so, they surely wanted
to learn more about Jesus Christ.
Overflow
No Limits!
Date: June 2-5, 2010
Venue: COG-Dasmariñas
Theme Verse: “…I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your
sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your YOUNG MEN will see VISIONS.” Joel 2:28
The church building has been beautifully established
after years of prayers and faith-in-action. The Youth of COG-Dasma could not be
more thankful that the elders of our church have allowed us to use the Main
Sanctuary and other facilities for our first in-house conference. It was an
out-of-the-box experience as the delegates did not have to stay overnight, had
to go home after the last event of the first night, and had to go back to
church the next morning for the second day of the conference.
We were more than blessed to also
have Gab Valenciano as one of the key speakers. He encouraged and inspired the
delegates to keep walking with Jesus through this messy life and believe that
His love can transform and change us from the inside out. And that the Holy
Spirit fulfills His promise of overflow in our thoughts, deeds, and lives.
Real
Encounter. Change. Convergence.
Date: April 25-27, 2012
Venue: COG-Dasmariñas
Theme Verse: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being
but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. Now about your love for
one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught
by God to love each other.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7-9
We had a local in-house conference last 2010. Little did we know then
that God was preparing us for an in-house conference… for the youth of
COG-Philippines! Yes, this time we were the grateful host of the first National
Youth Camp of Church of God World Missions-Philippines.
It was altogether a different journey for the Youth
Ministry. In fact, a documentary report was accomplished after the event to
encapsulate the amazing things that happened during the entire process the team
went through.
WORSHIP CELEBRATION NIGHTS
YOUTH WORSHIP REVIVAL
Date: 2006
Venue: COG MAIN SANCTUARY
Attendees: 650 New (from different schools) and Old Youth
1. Details
- Ø Total
of Youths who attended the revival is 650
- Ø Total
of 34 small group facilitators handled the different groups
- Ø Some
facilitators committed to handle the Youth Small Group even after the revival
- Ø There
was an approximate of 300 Youths who received the Lord as their Savior
2. Follow- through activities
- Ø To
continue with the small groups meeting on a weekly basis
- Ø To continue
to invite them to attend the weekly Fellowship
- Ø To
encourage them to be involved in the different ministries in the church
JesRev
- ·
November 2008
- ·
Youth and YA
Grand Fellowship
AsiaFest 20Eleven
- ·
In partnership
w/ ASCM
- · Up close and personal with Craig Mosgrove, Phil Stacey, and The Planetshakers
- ·
July 9-10, 2011
Praise Unlimited
August 24-25, 2012
On the 22nd anniversary celebration of COG-Dasma, a 16-hour
of prayer, worship and fasting was held. The leaders of the church entrusted
the Youth Ministry to lead worship and devotion for the program’s second part. It
was a whole new level of ushering – the youth and our parents – to the mighty
presence of God.
Final Note: Taken from the "Stones of Remembrance: 10 Years of COG Dasma Youth Ministry"
commemorative portfolio submitted and turned over from Sis. Mhel Perez to Ptr. Gary Yalung and Ptr. Rhony Pepito, overseeing the transition of leadership of the Youth. May this account inspire you to keep moving forward no matter what the cost, for there are "far, far, far greater things than any we leave behind.. (C.S. Lewis)" Let us all unite as one and see #BornAgainPilipinas come to pass in our generation and the next generation's lifetime. To God be the glory! God bless you!
TOP 10 of 2013: 10 Years of COG Dasma Youth Ministry
