News

Hundreds of young people across the Central Visayan Conference (CVC) participated in the simultaneous "Friendship Camporee," a week-long event held from June 1 to 7, 2025. It culminated in 12 young campers deciding to accept Jesus through baptism.

The camporee, themed "Rebuild the Altar," focused on spiritual restoration, commitment, and service to Jesus.

This camp included participants from both Adventist and non-Adventist backgrounds and was hosted at various locations, including Adventist Academy Cebu, one of the participating institutions from Metro Cebu.

Activities included daily devotionals, Bible study sessions, and helping campers reflect on their walk with God. Interactive small groups focused on practical applications of Scripture, encouraging participants to rebuild the "altars" of daily worship, obedience, and faith.

During the day, youth participated in obstacle courses and team-building activities that built physical strength and instilled Christian values like perseverance, cooperation, and trust. These challenges served as reminders that, despite life's obstacles, victory is always attainable through faith in Christ.

Pastor Harold Hallasgo, CVC youth director, implored the campers with his message during the divine worship on the Sabbath day, saying, "I want to take a moment to speak to your heart. Life is full of choices – some big, some small – but there's one decision that stands above them all."

Hallasgo further emphasized that it's not just about where you'll go to school, who you'll become, or what dreams you'll chase. It's about who you'll follow.

"Today, I want to invite you to make the most important decision of your life: to follow and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior," Hallasgo added.  

The camporee culminated on June 7, 2025, with the baptism of 12 young campers.

Additionally, 15 young leaders were invested as Master Guides, adopting the batch name "AGILA 2025" to symbolize their commitment to service and leadership within their faith.

During the investiture ceremony, Sir Lemuel Banday, education director for the Central Philippine Union Conference, said, “The calling of a Master Guide is not merely to lead, but to serve with Christ-like love.'

He went on to encourage us to ‘Feed his lambs,’ as he said in John 21:15, reminding us that true leadership begins with tender care.

Banday aslo quoted Ellen White's counsel in her book Education, p. 57, which says, "The greatest want of the world is the want of men… who will stand for the right though the heavens fall."

A Master Guide, he said, is called to be just such a person—faithful, courageous, and wholly surrendered to God’s mission.”

For the campers, the simultaneous CVC Friendship Camporee has equipped a generation of youth to be spiritually grounded. It has sparked a revival that will extend beyond the campgrounds into homes, churches, and communities across Central Visayas.

Zeta Faye Balanay, one of the newly invested master guides, said, "The CVC Simultaneous Friendship Camporee 2025 was an unforgettable camping experience. As the senior counselor of Unit 14, I faced the challenge of guiding and mentoring my unit."

The best part of the event for her was the friendships she made with new people from different churches. The daily activities were also fun, as working together promoted teamwork and unity among everyone.

Moreover, the organizers emphasized the value of youth in the church and in their respective environments, citing scriptures and writings that highlight their importance.

"After each devotional, my co-counselor and I led discussions on the speaker's topics, encouraging members to share their own experiences and insights," Balanay added.

When asked further about the turnout of the camp, she said, "Overall, the camp was successful, and as the campers departed, the memories and friendships stay."

MG Deomar De Dios Macabugwas, Capitol Center SDA Church

---