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You Are The Man
When Samuel was looking for a king for Israel after Saul, the Lord led him to Jesse’s home. He waited for Jesse’s youngest son, and rose and anointed him. He is the King David. He is the man chosen to lead and impact.
The first day when we arrived at NEWS Camp, each of us got a name badge, written: You are the man. Right, it’s not an incident that we are here for the camp, but He has chosen us, and we are chosen to lead and impact.
NEWS Camp, is New England Winter Students Camp, a Gospel Camp organized by a group of Chinese Christian churches and fellowships in New England area. The mission of NEWS Camp is to spread the Gospel among international students with Chinese cultural background who recently arrived in New England, and to help them settle down in this area; to provide disciple training for Chinese Christian leaders by serving these new students, and to unite the Chinese Christian Churches in the New England area for kingdom ministry. On December 21, over 210 students, small group leaders (Christian students and working professional) and speakers and counselors (spiritual leaders as pastors, elders) came to the camp in Pittsfield, MA, a picturesque place. This is the third year of NEWS Camp, and the theme this year is You Are The Man.
The first dumpling dinner broke ice, bringing everyone into this big family. In the next four days, morning prayer, worship, plenary sessions, workshops and drama shows, and testimonies caught everyone’s eyes, ears and hearts. Passionate spiritual leaders spoke at the plenary sessions on King David’s life. Before each session, a drama show based on the theme of day is put on the screen by talented students. Tons of laughters prepared our hearts ready for what God wants to tell us from David’s story. It was a very interactive environment. People asked tons of question, especially at the discussion table after each talk. Students are seeking for hope and the meaning of life. Jesus said in John 14:6: “ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Only through him, we have an abundant life. We know that we are not here by incident, we are here to be renewed and rebuild, and to be made to help and build others. On Christmas Eve, at the party for Jesus’ birthday, over thirty students who accepted Christ at the Camp went on the stage, and the next day they were already telling their testimonies on the stage.
This is the first year I attended NEWS, serving as small group co-leader. Before I had concerns about attending, thinking I’m already a working professional — it does not sound good to get crazy with college students for five days! But when He prepared my heart, He reminded me how important to build people and to be built. And I came, and I’m trained, renewed and loved. Besides the entire practical workshop, which spoke truth to me, the most important thing I learned while serving is Love and Responsibility.
Everyday, we ate and shared lives together as a family. I was so moved by peer leaders’ passion, and learning from people younger than me every day. They are frank, open hearted, kind, loving, and courageous to chase their dream. I see myself, exactly 5-10 years ago, in them, struggling and seeking, and I am privileged to know them, to listen to them, and to offer a little, but they reward me the biggest—love and the abundant life God wants to give. “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” John 1, 4:12.
One more touching story is there were kitchen staffs with us for the whole five days, and they even missed the time to celebrate Christmas with their family. They have been doing tall his for already three years. When we applauded them and thanked them, they replied, “We enjoy serving all the young people, because you don’t know who you are serving: angels or Chinese future leaders!
This is NEWS Camp—where leaders are built. You are the Man! We expect to see you next year!
Jenny (Yelin) Li
Jenny works as an accountant at North Shore Community Development Coalition. North Shore CDC provides affordable housing to create a thriving community in North Shore area, MA. Jenny is an advocate for the war on poverty through affordable housing, in creating better economic opportunity in the long run. Her passion and interest is in economic development around the world. She holds a master’s degree in International economics and Finance from International Business School (IBS), Brandeis University.