Testimonies of Bible Camp at Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi, June 12-16, 2006
While many who attended the first two True Life Bible Camps still yearned for the tranquil shores and old world charm of Mersing, but, variety being the spice of life, this year saw our beloved Pastor Tow and 160 campers, a quarter of whom were children, head up for the tree-studded hills of the Bukit Tinggi Resort.
Setting out at 7.30 am on June 12, Monday morning, a convoy of six coaches cruised along the North-South Highway and, borne byGod’s journey mercies, arrived safely at our destination at about 4 pm. Though quite worn out, we were humbled by Pastor Tow’s shining testimony as he endured the long trip without murmur nor complaint; it was our privilege to have him lead us by example. Wowed by the cobblestone courtyard at the French-themed resort and refreshed by the clear mountain air, we disembarked and proceeded to check into our rooms.
The first taste of what was to be consistently sumptuous fare throughout the camp was sampled at dinnertime at 6 pm. A vast array of delectable food whetted the appetites of all as we ate with relish amid hearty fellowship with one another over the dinner tables.
Then followed at 7.30 pm the first of two series of powerful messages by two fearless men of God, namely Rev Stephen Khoo and Rev Errol Stone who preached on the themes “Accelerated Missions Hastens to Bring in Christ’s Kingdom” and “Eternal Values in the End Times” respectively. This double blessing from the Lord was poured out on the campers daily, in the mornings and evenings.
Rev Khoo challenged True Lifers to be faithful missionaries for God, both individually and as a church. We were exhorted to be a people of prayer, and give of our substance and time to missions, for “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest” Matt 9:37, 38.
Rev Stone pointed us to the kingdom of heaven, reminding us that we are now living in the last of the last days, and how we must zealously serve Jesus till He comes again. We were charged to “walk in the light, as He is in the light” 1 Jn 1:7, and thus reflect His light before men, “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matt 5:16.
As God spoke through His servants, we were filled and satisfied by such an abundant and rich spiritual banquet of God’s holy truths. Many were moved and edified and shared their thanksgivings and testimonies on the last evening of camp. All praise and glory be to the Lord!
Jesus says, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” Matt 19:14. We thank God for all the 43 dear children who were taught Bible lessons and missionary stories during the camp. A few young souls were touched by the messages and wanted to make sure of their salvation. Praise God for providing all the helpers involved in the children’s program as they laboured to teach and train the little ones in the fear of the Lord.
A session of prayer and an edifying film show were held on two nights, and these, too, brought much spiritual blessing and benefit to campers. Our physical bodies were also refreshed and recharged as we enjoyed recreational time in the afternoons with activities such as swimming, football, bowling, cuddling rabbits and strolling in the lush gardens.
All too soon, Friday had arrived, and after the last morning devotion, we checked out and boarded the waiting coaches bound for home, sweet home. The Lord granted us journey mercies and we reached Singapore safely by evening. We pray for those among us who had taken ill or suffered mishaps, that the Great Physician, our Lord Jesus Christ, will heal them according to His will. May we not forget nor let slip all the precious spiritual truths that we have imbibed during this camp, for our Lord’s coming is near. With eternity’s values in view, may we engage in and support accelerated missions to hasten Jesus’ soon return! Amen. – Tai Mei Lan
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Praise God for His goodness to us and His leading hand in bringing us safely back from a blessed Church Camp at Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi, Malaysia. Indeed it was a much needed time for spiritual and physical refreshment.
We praise the Lord for your beloved Pastor, Rev T. Tow, Session of True Life and the Camp Committee for making the Camp run smoothly. Surely, the Lord will bless your labour of love toward him. Thank God for the warm Christian fellowship with like-minded brethren. Praise God for your camp speakers from Australia. Please remember them in prayer as they labour ‘down under’. A timely reminder to us all to be “doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves”, remembering God sees and knows all things. Nothing is hidden from His sight. Are we prepared to give of our time, talents and tithes to him? Which is such a small price to pay for what He has done for us. Prayerfully, we can all press on with eternity’s values in view and render our service unto the Lord, walk worthy in His sight, fight the good fight and receive our rewards in heaven. Despite the many trials, difficulties and challenges in our Christian life, may we look to God and not men for our answers, trust in Him and press on for our rewards are in heaven. May the Lord strengthen us daily. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov 3:5-6)
Praise God for the Children’s Ministry and the salvation of souls at camp. May the Lord bless and keep these precious lives as they venture into the world. Praise God for the opportunity of sharing with the children. And may the Lord continue to strengthen and bless the teachers who minister to them, equipping them in the Lord to stand firm for Him in the future as tomorrow’s adults (Matt 18:10, 11). Please continue to pray one for another until we meet again. – Robyn Stone
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“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Ps 18:30, 32. Surely the Lord goes before us and prepares the way. I praise Him for His mercy and blessings in enabling us to join you all for camp and for the opportunities afforded to enjoy: loving fellowship with likeminded brethren and sisters, sound exposition of God’s infallible word, and to play a small part in the Children’s ministry. There is joy in serving Jesus. Harold and I thank God for each one of you for the love shown to us. We pray for you as you serve God faithfully with joy in your hearts. May you remain steadfast in the truth in these dark days. Encourage one another, your dear Pastor Rev Timothy Tow and the Session as they shine forth the gospel light in Singapore and beyond. Till we meet again. II Peter 3:18. – Georgina Watkins
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Church camp is a time of spiritual retreat for me to isolate myself from all worldly cares and burdens, removed from all distractions to intensify my searching and knowledge of God. Just like when we regularly attend prayer meetings, FEBC classes, Sunday School or fellowship meetings, the intense studying of God’s word during a Church Camp brings me closer to God. When I am near God spiritually, I become more God-centred in my daily life and service. I become more sensitive and more aware of God’s will for me on this earth. My walk with God is raised to a higher level. Using car racing as an analogy: the prayer meetings, Sunday Schools, etc. are like the info board that are flashed to the driver to update him and to keep him motivated. Church Camp is like the pit stop the driver makes where he can get full info about his car and also get some reboosting before he continues the race. Also not forgetting the blessed fellowship. Spending five days together was a wonderful time for me to know new friends and current friends better. The spiritual blessings and wonderful fellowship are equally enjoyed by our two boys. – Edward Wong
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I thank God I can come to the Bible Camp. I am still seeking to know more about Christianity. The messages preached at the Camp have helped me a lot to understand more and provided me guidance for my personal struggles I face in my life. I will continue to read the Bible and attend church to know more. – Emelinda Villardar (Domestic Helper)
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Thanks be to God for this year’s Church Camp at Bukit Tinggi, Malaysia. It was a blessed fellowship of its kind. Being my first time to attend, I count it a privilege and do thank the Lord for opening such an opportunity for us. We were truly blessed as God’s Word was being taught to us (Rev 1:3) by God’s servants whom He sent. Both the messages of the theme and for devotion agreed. We were exhorted and challenged that we should be involved in missions. And in devotion we were challenged to set our minds on eternal values, which of course, is what mission is all about.
We did not only have opportunity to hear from the speakers when they were teaching, but we also had opportunity to sit and fellowship with them. It was a blessing to hear words of encouragement from them, and the experiences they have gained in the ministry.
We also had opportunity to fellowship one with another, as the Bible commands us that we should not forsake the assembly of one another (Heb 10:25). It was a time of encouraging and exhorting one another. This will enable us to be praying for one another.
It is my sincere hope and prayer that whatever we have learnt from the Camp this year may we put into practice. In doing so, we are going to be hearers and doers of the Word, occupying till Jesus comes. Amen! – Philip Lagat (FEBC)
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This was my second time I attended Church Camp and I’m really thankful. The place is very nice and cool, when I got up in the morning I can feel the freshness of the surrounding. It is a great privilege that I could hear the messages from the speakers. Preaching about the coming of Christ, Rev Khoo asked, “Are you born again?” and “Be sure of your salvation.” When I heard that I have no doubt to say that I’m saved and am sure about my salvation. I know and believe that Jesus Christ is dwelling in my heart. Like Jesus said, “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” I also learnt that as a believer, prayer and faith are important. We must pray with sensitivity in our heart. Religion cannot save, the important thing is our eelationship with God and He is the only One who can save. I thank the Lord for assurance of salvation that He showered upon me. – Marquez Marites (Domestic Helper)
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“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” Matt 24:14. This was our camp theme verse that encourages us to accelerate missions to bring in Christ’s kingdom. Furthermore, the messages by Rev Stephen Khoo and Rev Errol Stone were a blessing to me and have deeply convicted my heart to stand up for Christ and tell more people about Christ.
Through the messages, I have been ashamed of how I have not been spreading the gospel to the people I know and now I purpose in my heart to be a missionary everywhere I go. It was greatly emphasised by our camp speaker Rev Khoo that we need to act appropriately and responsibly for we will be rewarded according to our works when Christ returns. Indeed, if we only sow one durian seed we will receive one durian tree, so we ought to live our lives well glorifying God in all we do and plant more durian seeds.
I was intensely encouraged by the devotions by Rev Stone. We should renew our enthusiasm and our first love to serve the Lord as we embrace the eternal blessings the Lord has promised us. I should without any hesitation serve the Lord now, so that, in Rev Stone’s words, I will not be ‘pai seh’ when I meet my Lord.
Now the motto of my life after camp is that I should not be a worldly Christian but a world Christian. May the Lord enable us to ‘set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth’ (Col 3:2) as we keep sowing the gospel seed till we meet Christ again. – Candice Tan
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I learned about missionaries and Jesus’ travels during the church camp. We can be little missionaries too! That means we can preach the gospel to our friends in school and anywhere. The missionary stories and bible lessons were exciting. I like to go to church camp because my friends are there. I amsure of my salvation now. – Marcus Wong (7 years old)
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In the Bible lessons, I learned about walking with the Lord Jesus Christ and to have faith in Him. I also learned to make a wordless book and a wordless pencil. I enjoyed singing most of all. I also enjoyed bowling and playing other fun games. – Jerald Tan (7 years old)
More Testimonies of Bible Camp at Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi, June 12-16, 2006
I praise and thank God for a most blessed time at our annual church camp at Bukit Tinggi. I want to specially give thanks to the Lord for enabling our beloved Pastor Rev Timothy Tow to be in our midst as any camp without his presence would be incomplete. Thank the Lord too for blessing us with two very faithful servants of the Lord in Rev Stephen Khoo and Rev Errol Stone.
The highlight of the camp is of course the spiritual food which was very timely as it reminded us of our mission in these very last days. I was reminded to remain steadfast in the Lord and to do His commandments according to His will. We are not to be bothered by large numbers as in the charismatic churches but more in the sincerity of the believers though their numbers may be small. Let us therefore encourage and edify one another to do God’s work according to His Sovereign will so as to be ready to meet the Lord when He comes. I believe God is very much blessed with 300 faithful believers than with 3,000 social worshippers. It’s my prayer that everyone at the camp will come to the saving knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ if he or she has yet to accept Him.
I was very much blessed by the many praise items to the Lord especially that by the little children. I thank God for the blessings and opportunities to get to know many brethren better and even made many new friends. Even though I had a blessed and wonderful time, I still miss the homely atmosphere of our very own resort at Lautan Biru in Mersing where we could fellowship deep into the night, enjoy durian feastings, not forgetting the famous ‘chendol’ and coffee anytime of the day or night. Well, I hope that we will be able to return next year if everybody would come together, prepared to put up in dormitories and have warm and blessed fellowship in the Lord.
May all Praise and Glory be to God the Almighty, Amen! – Alice Chng
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I am very thankful to the Lord in leading me to the church camp at Bukit Tinggi. I thank God for blessing me with good employers such as Sir Francis Lee and Madam Stephanie. Although my employers have brought me to many overseas trips such as Australia, Japan, Phuket, Hong Kong, etc., but I enjoyed this church camp the most. This is the first time that I attended church camp in my life. I thank God for providing me this time of learning His Word and fellowship with many brothers and sisters in Christ.
My employer has arranged for me to share a room with sister Brenda, another domestic maid. We had a good time of sharing and fellowship together. I thank God for providing good speakers at the camp that I can learn how to be a missionary even at home and to serve God in my life. I also thank God for Rev Timothy Tow and was very encouraged by him that he endured the long journey to be with us in the camp. He has served God his whole life and this is an encouragement to me also to do that.
I also attended the Children’s programme with the children. I was touched by Sister Georgina’s story about missionaries and also the song entitled “The Wordless Book”. I could use this song and the story I learnt to reach out to all my loved ones in Philippines.
Although my mother and I have received the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, many of my family members are still outside Christ. I pray that they will be saved too. I remember the promise of God in Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” I pray for them and will continue to share with them God’s salvation plan.
I am very blessed by the church camp and pray that I will not only be a hearer of God’s Word but also a doer of His Word. I have also learnt that God gives each one of us different talents and we must use our talents to serve him faithfully.
– Marisa Abioda Amilda
(Domestic Helper)
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The last time I went to a church camp was 20 years ago when I was serving in the Youth Fellowship at Calvary Pandan B-P Church.
After that camp, sad to say, I have not attended any church camp until this time at Bukit Tinggi. For the rest of my family members, it was also their first time attending the church camp. There is much to thank the Lord for in this church camp. It was indeed a foretaste of Heaven on earth with brethren dwelling together to praise God, studying the Word of life and to exhort one another in warm fellowship, hymns and spiritual songs.
We thank God for his provisions of not just one but two speakers for the camp. We have been truly encouraged and inspired by the Word of God that has been faithfully delivered and preached to us by Rev Stephen Khoo and Rev Errol Stone. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. I was especially ministered by Rev Stephen Khoo when he instructed us on how to be a World Christian and not a Worldly Christian. His messages also brought to our remembrance the Lord’s chastening in our lives. My husband and I had been so caught up in our careers, settling down and building our family as most young couples do. During those years, we had become mere pew warmers in the former Life B-P Church. We had wasted at least ten years being worldly Christians until the chastening of the Lord fell upon us. Overnight, whatever we sought so hard in life had been reduced to zero and we had to start all over again. Thank God that He loves us so much that He chastened us to bring us back to His fold. This chastening also confirmed that we are His children and He is our Heavenly Father (Heb 12:6-9).
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Heb 12:11). It was a painful but blessed experience. Since our repentance, the Lord has blessed us with more than two folds of what we had lost but above all, He has given us a spiritual revival and renewed our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ our Saviour. As we look at the wasted years, we wonder how many ten years we will have in our lives. We thank God for His Word in Phil 3:13-14 and forgetting those things which are behind us, we press on, looking only to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith and seeking to serve Him faithfully to the end. The camp messages have served to remind us to be steadfast and unmoveable, having a faith that endureth and always abounding in the work of the Lord. One day, when we meet our Saviour face to face, we will not be ashamed or “pai seh” (which Rev Errol Stone aptly described the sense of shame and remorse) which we will feel if we see the Lord empty handed.
My heart is also filled with thanksgivings to the Lord for my elder son, Samuel’s salvation. During the camp, he received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. His teacher, sister Jenny led him to the confession of his sins and he has prayed to receive Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. I also thank God that in this camp, three other children had also come to receive our Lord Jesus as their Saviour. My other children, Sarah, Michelle and Moses also had a wonderful time of fellowship with all the children and they truly enjoyed the learning of God’s Word in this camp. All of them had also enjoyed the camp so thoroughly that they even asked me why the camp was so short. They wanted it to be for at least two weeks! We have all been blessed so tremendously that all of us are looking forward to the next one if the Lord tarries.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Tow for her encouragement to us since last year to join this year’s church camp. Her encouragement has helped to give us ample time in planning our work schedule to avail ourselves for this church camp. We also thank the Lord for the Family Bible Study Fellowship (FBSF). This fellowship group is established to help Christian family to continue to grow in the Lord as a family. This fellowship has helped us to grow spiritually and encouraged us a great deal when we were new in True Life BPC. As we have tasted the warm fellowship and the spiritual feasting during our monthly FBSF, we looked forward to the church camp this year as it is like having daily FBSF for a week. We would like to encourage all the brethren including newly weds to join us in the FBSF and to start planning to go for next year’s church camp.
– Stephanie Lee
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Immense delight and excitement filled me as we journeyed to Colmar Tropicale in the super coach. Bible Camp is a vital and integral aspect of my spiritual growth. It has added another dimension in my walk with the Lord. The time spent at Bible Camp is tantamount to church attendance. The powerful messages by Rev Errol Stone and Rev Stephen Khoo evoke a great desire in me to hunger and thirst for the Word of God and to dedicate myself to take up the challenge of serving God. Bible Camp was a time for me to put away my cares and turn my eyes on Him. Our Lord knows our frail bodies need nourishing, spiritually and physically. The humdrum of life prevents much communication among fellow brethren. The opportunities to establish ties and build strong bonds of love were effortless. It was indeed a time of sweet communion as I interacted freely, relaxed and strengthened my relationship with fellow brethren. The experience I had at Bible Camp is a foretaste of Heaven on Earth. God was enthroned in our praises as we worshipped him through an amalgam of creative expression – music, testimonies and a video presentation of the various activities that were conducted during the camp. I was reminded that we are part of a larger family under the leadership of one Captain – God.
Whilst our journeys have been and will be different, our spiritual goals and aspirations are the same. Every camper returned home with a prize, as for me it was His promise that when we see Him we shall be like Him. Through all the fun and laughter, two powerful truths were conveyed to me. God has crafted a space in my heart that only He can fill and that I am to trust Him in all areas of my life because He has a plan for me.We acknowledge the success of the Bible Camp to our Heavenly Father who has been and will always be our source of strength and it is to Him that all glory and honour are due.
– Quek Siok Eng
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I thank God for the opportunity and privilege to attend the church camp this year. It has been a wonderful time of fellowship and learning of God’s Word. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). What a blessed foretaste of the fellowship we will have with one another in heaven, praising God for all eternity!
One of the lessons I have learnt from this camp is the importance for a church to be a Mission-driven church as our God is also a Missionary God. As a child of God, I must do my part in using the gifts which God have given to me to edify the body of Christ and to contribute to the Mission of the church (Eph 4:11-12).
Now that the camp has ended, the challenge is to do the Word of God. I pray that the Lord will give me more zeal and courage to share the gospel of Christ to others. Let us labour together to magnify the name of our Saviour. Amen. – Clement Chew
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The messages preached spoke to my heart. They were timely reminders that I am passing through this transient world into eternity to meet God. Am I storing up treasures in Heaven? Wood, hay and stubble will burn away. Am I doing His will as I serve Him or am I seeking my own? I am challenged to strife for a closer walk with God particularly through prayer in seeking His holy will. Rev Stephen Khoo spoke on the 3 steps to remember: i) Knowledge, ii) Understanding and iii) Wisdom i.e. to seek after the knowledge of God, truly understand it and then apply it in practical life (unto wisdom). May the Lord help me to serve Him faithfully and joyfully as it is a great privilege to serve our AlmightyGod. – Tan Chew Ying
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It had been a wonderful time attending the Bible camp. The children’s programme was packed with exciting activities.
During the morning Bible lessons, Auntie Jenny taught us not to be selfish, but to be generous. In the night, Auntie Robyn and Auntie Georgina would come and tell us about Christian missionaries. We learnt about William Carey and Mary Slessor. They were all very courageous.
On Tuesday afternoon, I went to the Rabbit Park. The rabbits were all extremely adorable. I loved the black rabbits with white patches on them. I also went to the archery for shooting.
During games time, Auntie Pollyanna played with us the hearing game, tasting game and the books in the Bible. We went to the bowling alley the following day. I did not want to bowl. I swam instead.
The next day, I went to the painting shop and painted a plaque with the word ‘LOVE’ and did a bear figurine too. Many of us enjoyed ourselves at the painting shop.
The children’s messages have ministered to my heart and we have learnt not to be selfish but to be generous. It is more blessed to give than to receive. When I grow up, I want to be a missionary. I hope to work for God in the future. – Phoebe Tay (10 years old)
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During the church camp, I learnt many good values of God and how to use them in our daily lives. We made the wordless book to share with our friends about Jesus dying for our sins. I also enjoyed visiting the Botanical and Japanese Gardens, Rabbit Park, bowling, archery and playing many fun games. I liked this church camp very much and hope to join the church camp again next year. – Belle Tan (10 years old)
