The last church camp that we had together was in 2008. God has definitely been with us and also expanding us as a church. As we look back at our first camp, we can truly see how God has grown us, not just in numbers but also in our foundation in Christ. We had about 30 campers, with many friends who joined us as well. Praise the Lord for the opportunity to be able to meet these people!

The family of God and friends at GCC Camp 2010

This year, GCC had the privilege of having Pr. Jojo from Eaglepoint Covenant Fellowship with us. An exuberant and passionate servant of the Lord who hails from the Philippines, Pastor Jojo spoke on GCC’s theme about getting deeper in the Lord. He reminded all of us that there are foundations in our lives that are not right, foundations that are made by a worldly-mindset. He went on to challenge us to shatter those foundations and replace them with Godly-foundations. Pr. Jojo also assured all of us that God wants to bless us abundantly and He wants us to have the spirit of Benaiah, conquering fears and challenges, so that we can grow deeper and stronger in Him.

Pr. Jojo ministering to us

As we dug deeper in the Lord through the different sessions that we had, we also wanted this church camp to be a time where we are able to dig deeper with one another, to share lives and get to know one another at a higher level as well. The fellowship of the church and its family is essential for spiritual growth as well. It was encouraging to see how families and friends came together during game time just to have fun and get to know one another. The mothers in particular also had a good bonding time together in the camp. The youth had an exciting time as some woke up early in the morning to go for a morning jog together!

Cozy kids section with parents watching over them

From the serenity of a good getaway back to our city life, it is crucial for us to be mindful of the things that God has spoken to us in the camp and not let it just pass us by. Let’s be Benaiah in wherever we are at right now, be it in our workplace, ministry or homes, let’s be like this warrior who slays lion. Let’s conquer the challenges ahead and take the blessings in which God has given us because when we do that, we will grow deeper in Him.

The hunt for food began early in the morning. After gathering at the designated meeting point, we were all assigned to our mode of transport and off we went! Friends joined us for the whole trip or some for part of it. We headed to all the hot food spots we could think of. From infamous roadside stalls to Chinese coffee shop to drinking milk shake, we had it all.

Just as we hunted for the best food around Penang, as children of God, we must also be hunting for the best spiritual food around and that comes through the digging into His word. Physical food nourishes us physically. Likewise, spiritual food nourishes us spiritually. As we walk in the year of deepening here in GCC, it’s important for us to have that spiritual hunger, not merely be more knowledgeable in His word but more than that, to have a stronger, healthier and more powerful relationship with our Lord and Saviour. Just as God gave manna to the Israelites, God too gives us manna so that we can see His goodness and grace, so that we can be spiritually satisfied.

After the food escapade, we all headed over to Poh Sim’s apartment where we had a chill out time together. One of the key things that we want to do as a connect group is simply… to connect with God and to connect with one another. We want our time spent together to be one that is filled with fellowship and encouragement. Our prayer is that CG will be a place where Christian brothers’ and sisters’ are able to share lives and encourage one another. As we spent time together over food and fun, it was a good time for all to connect, esp with friends in our midst. We thank God for the weather, the time, and each person who was with us.

In total, we had four main routes charted out, 132 runners and 30 team managers with the participation of 9 churches! Statistically speaking, the numbers have grown as compared to last year. In fact, we had an extra route this year to accommodate the encouraging participation from different churches. All glory to God! After much preparation and planning had been done, came the day of the actual event – 22nd May 2010!

As mentioned above, the RunNat Penang Committee came up with four main routes, each charting a 44km distance. For each main route, 11 teams are assigned to run a distance of 4km respectively and as they run from their checkpoint to the next they are to pray, handing over the prayer card, which also worked as a baton, to the following team until the entire route is completed. The first team to take off started at 5am in the morning and in all, RunNat managed to cover at least 80-90% of Penang Island. The whole idea is to saturate Penang Island with prayer, to open up the floodgate of God’s blessings upon our city and nation!

GCC sent 2 teams this year and being assigned to run the hills of Balik Pulau, it was a physical challenge for the participants! Kenny, Partibhan, Josephine, Clarene and Glen along with Poh Sim weren’t deterred even though it was a challenging route to run. Along the way, there was a minor accident that happened amongst our team. In the process of picking up the team, Poh Sim unknowingly drove her car into a small ditch. Thank God that it was only a minor accident and turns out, many passers-by stopped to help Poh Sim and team to get the car out of the ditch. We were truly protected and blessed! All glory to God.

While the first team began at 5 in the morning, the last team finished at 10.30am upon which, everybody gathered back at Reservoir Garden Baptist Church for the corporate closing prayer. With many different churches congregating as one at the closing prayer, it was truly an assurance that it was God’s divine appointment. As churches and participants come together to pray, there was a strong sense of unity in the hall and it truly reminded all of us of the significance of unity in the body of Christ. The early church, such as that depicted in Acts 2:42, speaks of a fellowship that is one in Christ. As different pastors led the congregation to pray in the different prayer points, believers voiced out in unison, interceding for the nation.

RunNat reminded all of us of the race that has been laid out for us in Christ. As we run, we run in the new spirit in which Christ has given us, running not for ourselves but for Christ himself. Let’s continue to run like a champion, run to make Him famous.

GCC celebrated Easter Sunday last weekend at the Straits Regency Condominium, Tanjung Bungah, with a very homely Easter service. This year, the church approached Easter with a certain cause in mind. Pr. Edward spoke from John 10: 7-18, a passage where Jesus proclaims boldly to the Jews that He is the gate to salvation (v.9) and He is the good shepherd who sacrifices himself for the sheep (v.11). As we celebrate Easter, we are brought back to the essence of who God is, the Man who welcomes anyone into the gate of salvation. We are also reminded of Jesus being the good shepherd, a shepherd who wants to keep us safe from the clutches of the Devil. Satan seeks only “to steal and kill and destroy” (v.10) but God, our loving Father, seeks to bless us. Yes, you heard it right… God wants to bless us! Throughout scripture we can see how God’s words speak of redemption and blessings, His ever unshakable promises. But we can also see how Satan has worked his evil and deceiving schemes to steal, kill and destroy us from receiving God’s blessings in our lives.

As such, this year’s Easter coincides with GCC’s 2010 Blessing campaign. 2010 what?

2010 Blessing is a campaign in which the church seeks to bless two thousand and ten people in the period of three months. It is an intentional act of blessing upon anyone whom we may come in contact with throughout the day. In conjunction with the campaign, the church went through a fasting period for the past one month, praying to see God’s powerful move during this campaign. The whole idea of the 2010 Blessing is to release God’s blessing and promises upon lives, to pray together with the person and to pray for that person throughout the campaign, trusting that God will bless them even as we ask. This campaign is not just about releasing blessings to people, but it also exercises our faith to trust God. 2010 Blessing also reminds us of the authority in which God has given us, the power to speak and release blessings into the lives of others through the empowerment of His Spirit. Not only that, but also the authority through Jesus Christ to speak against the thief who seeks only to steal, kill and destroy. Therefore, let’s be bold to proclaim and speak forth His blessing to others!

Pr Edward sharing on the 2010 Blessing

Following through the celebration of Easter Sunday, the church also witnessed the baptism of three members, namely Henry Cheang, Chrisalynn Lim and Timothy Lee.

Chrisalynn being baptised

Timothy being baptised

Henry being baptised

Partaking the Lord Supper together

That’s not the end of Easter celebration. We broke fast together with a pot bless dinner. It was a good time of fellowship and getting to know new friends.

Fellowship dinner

As we reflect upon Easter 2010, let us be reminded that God has risen from the dead and there is no reason for us to stay gloomy! Let’s also be reminded that through His resurrection, He has given us the power and authority to speak into the lives of others and to bless them! Celebrating Easter Sunday is an act of boldness in itself because we declare that God has risen from the dead. So why not be bold to bless others? The Lord has risen from the dead!