WCKCM 2014
"RENEW" was the theme for the 2014 West Coast Korean Camp Meeting at Pacific Union College. Due to dormitory renovations, limited number of dorm rooms were available to the Korean campers. Still, the weekend saw the attendance rise to nearly 1,000. Some of the highlights of the revival week were speakers Doug Batchelor, Mark Witas, Dr. Subdoh Pandit, Mark Ishikawa and Mark Ferrell. There was a "Dinner with Doug" discussion forum during the evening meal that packed the room and brought many interesting questions. Pastor Enoch Lee was amazing with the VBS group as he brought the kids to their feet as they sang with joy and energy.
Another highlight of the week was the Wednesday afternoon Family Festival, which was a Korean Cultural Festival. Traditional Korean games, music and food was offered up for the entire afternoon around the water fountain at Paulin Pavilion. The week ended with the Christian Showcase, where the college group got honors for their rendition of Frozen, with lyrics of the camp meeting experience.
All in all, West Coast Camp Meeting was a huge success where many people came to revive their spirits and renew their commitments to Christ. VBS and EM Adult Groups saw record numbers in attendance from the beginning of the week. Even though the week was sweltering hot with temperatures near 100, everyone had a great time and went home blessed of God. The Napa Korean Church was blessed to serve as the host for this year, and our prayers go out to Seattle Central Church as they prepare for 2015!
The following are two testimonies from our VBS leaders:
To say the least, VBS at west coast camp meeting was a challenging, but learning experience. This was my third VBS and it was challenging because I was in a new environment with even more children. Each child is so full of energy and uniqueness that it's hard to keep up when each one wants to tell you everything they're excited for. I learned that Jesus was right when He said to watch over the children carefully, for their innocence and purity earned them the most space in Heaven. It was almost like watching myself in them as they played and screamed, nostalgic of my childhood memories from camp meeting when I was their age. God has blessed me abundantly with the opportunity to shed His word and light to His little ones. I hope and pray they become bold faces for God as they grow older and mature, passing on His love.
Jay Kim, Pleasanton
Being a VBS leader was an interesting experience to say the least. I learned how to balance my time during this week because I was working VBS and at the same time working on my summer school during the time of camp meeting. Before camp meeting, my faith was challenged so much watching tragic things happen to my friends but when I came to PUC with my lack of phone service, I had to really reflect on what God did for me. In the past, camp meeting was a terrible experience for me because I chose to reflect on the negative things that happened to me, but this year reflecting on what was awesome in my life changed my perspective of what Christ has done for me. I am grateful for this opportunity because I may have gotten sick but learning how a small group supports and shows the grace of God, is what life is about. The theme for VBS was “Daniel, the Leader in Me” so remembering that a part of leadership is to ask for help, is the strongest thing I learned.
Jon Hur- Pleasanton