Challenge Accepted! Campus Fresh Kusugbo
With the core verse, “God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God – 1 Peter 2:9b”, over 400 delegates jammed at this year’s Youth for Christ (YFC) Campus Fresh -Cebu.
Campus Based Kusugbo raise their hands to worship
This year’s Campus Fresh (Central Visayas) was held at the gymnasium of Cebu Doctors’ University last July 22, 2012 with the theme: “Challenge Accepted.”
Four Hundred Nine young adults wearing their superhero-inspired shirts from different universities and colleges in Cebu accepted the challenge to proclaim God’s wonderful acts.
“We are grateful to have 409 delegates for this year’s Campus Fresh Party,” Campus Fresh Party 2012 Event Head and North 1 Campus Sector Program Head, Rey Cristobal.
“Aside from the core verse itself, we came to realize that we are indeed like most of the superheroes; we are chosen to work on a mission and win a spiritual battle. In addition, like a town of villains, here in campus based we are in a continuous struggle to live our identity as Youth for Christ. Despite the temptations, false expectations and peer pressures, we still chose to take the challenge of proclaiming the wonderful acts of God,” Cristobal added.
Youths from University of the Philippines – Cebu, University of San Carlos, Cebu Institute of Technology – University, University of San Jose – Recoletos, University of Cebu, Cebu Normal University, Velez College, Cebu Technological University, Cebu Doctors’ University, AMA Computer Learning College, Britech Interface Computer College, Indiana Aerospace University, and South-Western University attended the biggest campus based event, so far, this year.
The event started at 1 o’clock in the afternoon with a holy mass presided by Reverend Fr. John Biton and followed after by an opening worship led by Reyvin Ortega, University of San Carlos’ YFC President.
Holy Mass presided by Reverend Fr. John Biton
Ortega cited God’s amazing and unconditional love to His children during the opening worship. “Though we have sinned, God still accepted us arms wide open,” he said. “Lord, the Prodigal Son is back!”
Immediately after the opening worship, a dance presentation entertained the participants and was followed by Tito Lando Ventic’s (Provincial Campus Couple Coordinator) welcome remarks.
The next in line were the competitions – Sing and Dance, Caption It Photo Contest and Mr. and Ms. Fresh face. The representatives from different campuses showed what they got during the competitions. Participants grooved with pop-genre songs as they perform for the sing and dance contest. Aterwards, the Mr. and Ms. Fresh Face competition followed. Participating schools posed according to the seven pillars of YFC in which they will interpret through costumes and on how they project the assigned pillar.
Couple Coordinators, too, uplifted the event as they projected and presented their superhero-inspired costumes. Thereafter, dinner was served.
The event then reached its key moment as, Wenceslao “Jojo” Wenceslao, former Provincial Campus Based youth head, speaks for this year’s Campus Fresh Party. Wenceslao pointed out that in college; we are surrounded with all sorts of temptations and lures. It is therefore our mission, as superheroes and missionaries, to resist from these temptations and instead proclaim the wonderful acts of God.
Kuya Jojo Wenceslao, delivering God’s message to the crowd
Participants were asked to write their declarations in a bookmark to challenge their selves to renew their lives for the Lord.
Challenge-accepted participants sang their praises and adorations to God during the praise-fest, led by the event head himself.
Participants, during worship, bravely raised their hands as a symbol of conviction to God. The scene was filled with committed souls ready to worship the Lord with strong devotion.
Praisefest led by the event head, Rey Cristobal
As the event was nearing its end, a series of picture takings and cheers rocked the venue while the awards were given to winning campuses. The event concluded at 9:00 pm.
“As one of the participants and a first-timer of this year’s Campus Fresh, I can say that I am blessed to be part of the event because it made me more confident to accept the challenges I have in my life. Indeed, Challenge Accepted,” said Hazel Mae Pacturan, UP-YFC delegate.
“Knowing that there will be over 400 participants, I was pressured but at the end of the day I was very glad; each of these participants had fun and made friends,” said Mary Lou Javier, Dance Ministry member.
It was indeed another victorious event for YFC Cebu. As Youth for Christ Campus-based family gets bigger every year, more young adults are committed to bring Christ wherever they are.
This article was written by Neil Kristianne T. Digal, YFC contributor for Campus Based Cebu.
