On Dec. 9-13, 2009, the Central Luzon Conference held a camp meeting at Central Luzon Adventist Academy (CLAA) in Florida Blanca, Pampanga being true to its objective to guide and prepare each member for the soon return of Jesus Christ.
The said camp meeting was attended by members from Areas 2, 3, and 4 who generally exuded excitement about the event. "Indeed I'm so excited by attending this very rare and unique gathering considering that my spiritual growth will be revived," said by Bro. Rey Escabusa of San Fernando Adventist Church.
Presenting the topic, "End Time Remnant" Pastor James Bauer, Southern Asia Pacific Division (SSD) Adventist Mission coordinator, discussed that the present is an intricate time as the world is not the same as before and people are now used to the modern standard of living.
"The younger generation thinks, receives information, interprets sign and determines truth differently," Bauer said.
According to Bauer the church is in big challenge to address such issues and offered a way this can be dealt with.
"This can be done if our church has its love, right choice, respect and freedom from the slavery of sin," Bauer said. "Discipleship means living up to the promise of God. By following to His will whatever the circumstances are.
Pastor Francisco Gayoba, North Philippine Union Conference (NPUC) ministerial secretary, compared the present church members to those of the church of Corinth who faced diverse problems such as immorality, drunkenness, lawsuits among members, leadership crisis, inconsistency of right usage of spiritual gifts and loyalty but still had the good news of God founding His church there.
"Our present church now has the same predicament but likewise God is so good because He has called us in this faith," Gayoba said in his lecture titled "The Book of Corinth and the Spirit of the Pioneers."
Gayoba also prompted the attendees of their need to live a holy life being called for character reformation, and considering the people around who look at them by saying, "Christ must be lifted in us."
Pastor Albert Regoso, CLC administrative consultant, presented "God's Holidays", a lecture on different festivities of Israel that were meant for the Israelites to enjoy through their lives of worship, love and thanksgiving."
"We don't need to repeat some of those festivities but the message I believe should be practiced by every member," Regoso concluded.
During the course of the entire camp meeting physical activities were also held that enriched the attendees some more after being blessed through the lectures.
"I really like the lectures because I realized that I need to grow spiritually," testified by a certain Benjamin Castardo, a delegate.
"Oh, indeed I'm so blessed with this camp meeting," said Pastor Rene Montoya, Central Pampanga District pastor and Area 3 chairman. "And I'm looking forward that this be repeated again and again till Jesus comes."
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