BARRACKS: West B Campus Based Assembly

Oftentimes, we fear. We struggle to hold on because of our problems, and we choose to let go of that one God who has done nothing but make sure we have the strength to carry on. Last Sunday, August 14, at the Amoranto Sports Complex, West B Campus Based bore witness to this great God, and promised to continue to take courage and have faith, because their God has overcome this world.

Entitled “Barracks” and moving around the verse, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 14:33), the cluster campus assembly was a whole day affair consisting of two parts: creatives and sessions. The creatives part involved a band competition, a dance showdown, and a showchoir and gag video presentation. YFC-UST, YFC-FEU EAC, YFC-PUP and YFC-TIP Manila bagged the prizes for these four categories respectively.

(YFC-PUP, champion of the Show Choir, photo © Billy Gonzales)

            After lunch, the almost-200 headed crowd assembled together to begin the main – and most important – part of the assembly: the sessions.

The first session was divided into four parts, and talked about four major names in the Bible – Joshua, who trusted in the Lord and had courage to stand against the world and all those who prosecuted him; Ester, who laid her faith in the Lord and had courage to speak up the words of the Lord even if this is not what the rest of the world wants to hear; Daniel, who remained in the Lord and had courage to be still amidst the trials and storms of life; and David, who stayed devoted and had courage to believe that God is far greater than any of his problems and triumphs.

These four Biblical characters showed courage, and showed everyone in the assembly that God is almighty. He does not need an army of swords and muscled men, He needs an army of ready and faithful people who will be courageous in continuing to win the world for Him.

The second session was more personal, and it invited everyone to look at themselves fully. It was about assessing the self, and asking if the self was ready for the battle that will happen eventually.

The session taught West B that suffering is perpetual. It will always be there, whether it be sickness, having to leave important people, having to choose between two very important things, and so much more. Oftentimes, when people suffer, they ask God, “If You really love me, then why do You allow me to cry?” The chapter assembly told everyone present one simple truth: that God makes us undergo pain because it’s proof that we are alive. We undergo suffering because God wants us to learn. Success will never feel half as good if there was no hurt that accompanied it.

God wants us to push through the same way He pushed through for our salvation. It is only when we push through that we understand our worth. When we have become successful in pushing through, God invites us to hold on and endure. Problems may become catastrophic, but we should remember that God will never give us anything we are not ready for. We have to stand still and stay strong, and believe that God will provide. Lastly, when we have pushed through, held on, and stood still, God wants us to look up, and believe that everything will always fall through, in God’s perfect time.

After the two sessions, a powerful mass was held, and the worship started. The worship made everyone realize three important things: first, that God promised a safe landing, but not a calm journey; second, that commitment is unconditional; and third, that the moment we start fighting for victory is the same moment we win it.

We’re members of the greater community of Youth for Christ, and as such, we are soldiers of Christ Himself. We must remember that whenever soldiers fight battles, they do not do so because they hate the people in front of them; they fight because they love the ones they left behind. As YFCs, let this be our goal in continuing the mission. Let us not fight because we hate the society, or the people who put us down, let us continue the battle precisely because of the people we love that are behind us – and oftentimes, by our sides as well – our families, our friends, our brothers and sisters in the community, our God.

(Closing Worship. Photo © Billy Gonzales)