ISCF Camp 2015 Testimonies

These accounts of how God moved over the weekend were too incredible to include in the camp overview so I decided to create a second post to testify of God's working on our behalf.

Testimony #1:

As we began planning for this year’s camp, we hoped that many of the workers who served so faithfully last year would have been available, but this was not the case. For a variety of reasons, many of them were not available. However, God sent new workers, who integrated beautifully with those who remained, and we were able to execute camp smoothly with these wonderful people of God. The workers were few, but everyone pulled their weight and executed their duties diligently while building relationships with the campers.

Testimony #2:

When school ended the week before camp started, there were only six camp forms submitted. We made a decision in faith to proceed with camp, trusting God to provide at least 20 campers to make it enjoyable for all. Nineteen students from nine different schools eventually made it up to Morne Longue and we thank God for every one of them.

Testimony #3:

On the morning that camp was to begin, we contacted our speaker Evangelist Abraham Regis aka Dry Peas to confirm his session the following morning, and were told by his wife that he had absolutely no voice, due to a very heavy speaking schedule earlier that week. Immediately we got our intercessors praying, and later that afternoon when we called he was actually able to answer his phone. By Saturday morning, he was able to deliver a dynamic message about the power of a renewed mind.

Testimony #4:

After lunch on Saturday, the campers played some fun sports, then went to the river for a swim. While we were there, one of the campers complained of feeling unwell so we took her back to camp. She vomited twice but we were not sure what caused it so we prayed and put her to bed. She proceeded to sleep for 13 hours until we woke her the next morning – she was that tired. We thank God that she was recovered quickly, and was able to partake in the activities the following day.

Testimony #5:

For the entire weekend, rain had been falling intermittently. We had a camp fire planned for Saturday night, and although the rain fell before, it was not heavy enough to dampen our spirits, or the wood needed for our camp fire J

Testimony #6:

On Sunday morning one of the campers was not feeling well – he was up all night coughing, as he was asthmatic, and he did not have his pump. We prayed and used some hot water and scented oil therapy and by chapel time he was singing lustily during worship, and by lunchtime had resumed his usual mischievous behaviour.

Testimony #7:

After the altar call on Sunday morning, one of the campers asked for permission to address the other students. She shared with them the burden she was feeling because some of them were not willing to yield themselves fully to God. They were holding on to things from the past instead of being open and surrendering to God. An invitation was given for those who were struggling to come up for prayer, and the Holy Spirit began to convict hearts and the majority of the campers again went forward for prayer. Many of them received their breakthroughs as counsellors ministered to them. It was incredible to see how one student’s obedience to the Spirit’s prompting led to so many of her peers being freed from bondage.

Here are some of the comments the campers had about what impacted them the most:

• ·         The chapel and devotional morning impacted me the most. The other campers and counsellers were warm and welcoming. I enjoyed the camp.
• ·         How the Lord spoke to me
• ·         I benefitted by being close with my God
• ·         The sessions impacted me the most – I learned to put God first
• ·         I benefitted by the renewing of my mind. I’ve changed the way I used to behave
• ·         When everybody started to feel God’s goodness and power, and the early morning group coming together to talk about the Bible

We thank God for the exceptional ministry that the campers were exposed to over the weekend, and pray that commitments made at camp would result in genuine, life-long change in their lives. 

ISCF Camp 2015

God really blew our minds for ISCF camp 2015 #mindBlown… From providing the finances, to ensuring we had sufficient workers and campers, to restoring our camp speaker’s voice on the day he had to minister, God came through in amazing ways, as only He can do.

Campers enjoying sporting activities

On the first evening, we played some getting to know you games that helped the campers from the different schools feel more comfortable and interact with one another. After dinner, we showed the movie “God’s Not Dead” which highlighted the stories of young people who stood up for their faith instead of compromising like those around them.

If you had a million dollars what would you do?

On Saturday morning Evangelist Abraham Regis delivered a dynamic message about the power of a renewed mind. He challenged them to not be limited by their present realities, but to see themselves the way God sees them, and understand their identity in Christ. He then encouraged each person to share what they wanted to be when they got older, and he assured them that with God’s enabling, they would be able to achieve great things despite their humble beginnings.

"You cannot change your beginning, but you can change your destiny"

After lunch on Saturday, the campers played some fun sports, then went to the river for a swim. Dinner on Saturday night took the format of a campfire, with campers roasting hotdogs and marshmellows over the open flames. God held back the rain sufficiently that night to ensure that the campers thoroughly  enjoyed their camp fire. Afterwards, they went into their dorms to discuss what does it really mean to renew your mind, and how they could renew their minds and maintain a renewed mind.

Roasting hot dogs over the camp fire

For chapel on Sunday morning we had a new speaker, Eric Marshall who challenged the campers to renew their minds in practical ways, by resisting the temptation to listen to ungodly music, partake in drinking alcohol and viewing ungodly things on the internet and television. He made it clear that the things we hear and watch, as well as the company we keep, affects how we think and our behaviour. After the message, there was a call for campers who knew they needed to renew their minds in these areas, and who were willing to do so, to come forward for prayer, and the entire camp came up.

"What you hear and watch affects how you think and behave"

After spending some quiet time receiving counselling one on one, the campers then got ready for the  Royal Luncheon. As part of having a renewed mind, the campers were encouraged to see themselves as royalty, as they were now children of the Most High King, so they were encouraged to dress as such. They were really creative in their costumes, and had a great time partaking of the banquet and dancing which followed.

Campers in their royal wear

The final item on the program was talent afternoon, where each team presented an original song based on the memory verses Romans 12:1-2 and a skit which demonstrated the theme of camp. We thank God for the exceptional ministry that the campers were exposed to over the weekend, and pray that commitments made at camp would result in genuine, life-long change in their lives.

ISCF Graduation 2015

ISCF Graduation 2015 exceeded all expectations! There were 12 graduates and 18 guests - board members, sponsors and supporters - in attendance, and we all had a great time of fellowship. 

Fun from the start!

The program began with a welcome and prayer by our Board Chairman, Rodney Mc Intyre, and chairperson Cheryl Jessemy guided us through the program smoothly. There were some really fun icebreakers which facilitated interaction between the graduates and the guest. 

Winning team celebrates

This was followed by a time of praise and worship led by Princess Jaggassar, a graduate from TAMCC. 

Graduates lead in worship

Hearts united in praise

Two students shared their testimonies about the impact of ISCF on their lives as students. Jayna James from Anglican High School spoke about how much she learnt during the meetings, and how she understood better how to interact with students who had different beliefs than she did. 

Jayna James representing ISCF at
Anglican High School

Outgoing CCCF President Kishell Ruben
 shares her testimony

Kishell Ruben, past president of CCCF shared how her involvement in the ministry helped her to take her Christian life more seriously, and to grow spiritually in her walk with the Lord. Shanika and Loraine sang ‘Carry your candle’ to encourage their peers to represent Christ wherever they ended up, and certificates were distributed to all the graduates.

Beautiful rendition of the challenge
to light your world

Jamie receiving his certificate from faithful sponsor
Mae Patterson

We had the privilege of having Eric Marshall as our speaker for this year’s graduation ceremony. As one of our earliest and most consistant supporters who resided in New York, we were pleased to invite him to share his heart with the graduates. They were encouraged by his testimony of God’s provision for him when he had to advance his studies, not knowing where the funds would come from. He also encouraged them to keep serving the Lord, and to not allow the distractions of the world to lead them astray. He ended his message with the words of Psalm 1:1-2, challenging the students to remain connected to Christ long after they left school.

Eric Marshall sharing his testimony with the students

Board Director Joan Purcell prayed over our graduates, asking God’s provision and direction for them as they moved on to this new phase of their lives. Following a group picture, we enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship over refreshments that no one wanted to end. On top of all of this, we were able to christen our P.A. system, which was donated by ISCF supporters living in the States! 

Covering our graduates with prayer

We give God thanks for the great time of fellowship, testimonies and encouragement which was enjoyed by all who attended.

The proud graduates