The People’s Church Camp Chronicles—Speak Life!
In the hustle and bustle of life, finding moments of respite and spiritual rejuvenation becomes paramount for many believers.
The People’s Church recently gathered for our much anticipated bi-annual church camp from December 14 to 18, 2023, planned and executed with finesse and care by our dear Senior Pastor, Rev Patrick Cheong and his wife, Ps Lillian Cheong.
Held at the vibrant Berjaya Times Square Hotel (Kuala Lumpur), this camp marked a significant milestone for our community as it was our first church camp since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With hearts brimming with great expectancy and spirits lifted high, we embarked on this journey of faith and togetherness.
Leading up to the camp, Rev Patrick was inspired by the Holy Spirit to embrace the theme for the year, “Speak Life,” drawn from the profound words of John 6:53, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
Rev Patrick had shared five overarching transformative power of our words throughout his weekly sermons, enlightening hearts and minds alike.
The Power of Words: Just as God spoke life into existence, we have the ability to speak life into the lives of others. Every word we utter has the potential to uplift, inspire, and bring hope to those around us. We must choose our words carefully, ensuring that they build up rather than tear down.
Spiritual Alignment: When we speak life, we align ourselves with the Spirit of God. By allowing His words to flow through us, our speech becomes an instrument of His divine purpose, bringing healing and restoration to broken hearts and weary souls.
Cultivating a Positive Atmosphere: Our words have the power to shape the atmosphere around us. When we speak life, we cultivate an environment of love, joy, and peace. Instead of contributing to negativity and strife, we become agents of transformation, spreading God’s light wherever we go.
Impact on Relationships: Speaking life strengthens and deepens our relationships with others, building trust and mutual respect. Our words become a source of encouragement and support, fostering deeper connections and unity within the body of Christ.
Living Out Our Faith: Speaking life is not just a one-time event but a lifestyle rooted in our faith in Christ. It requires daily surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide our speech and actions. As we walk in obedience to God’s Word, we become living testimonies of His love and grace in the world.
The camp speakers, Rev Peter Misso and his wife, Sis Anne Misso, emphasized and shared their experiences on speaking life to others. On top of the teachings, one of the most cherished aspects of the camp was also the opportunity for bonding, not only within families but also as a unified body of Christ. From heartfelt worship sessions to engaging conversations over meals to laughter-filled games and activities, every moment was infused with the spirit of love, encouragement and memories that will last a lifetime.
At the heart of it all, the camp served as a call to embrace our role as ambassadors of Christ, spreading His message of hope and redemption to a world in desperate need of His love. We concluded the camp with the serving of Communion and were reminded of God’s agape love for us.
As we continue on our journey, may we never forget the power of speaking life and may our words always reflect the light and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This article was written by Bro Ivan Tan, The People’s Church and also appeared in AG times, May 2024.