Camp Equip 2025: Empowering young disciples

Participants making their way to the Church of the Assumption, Penang for Adoration and Daily Mass.

PENANG — On February 9, young adults from across Malaysia and Singapore gathered at the Monsignor Aloysius Spirituality Centre (MASC) for the inaugural Camp Equip 2025, a transformative two-week retreat designed to deepen their faith, discover their spiritual gifts, and embrace their calling as disciples of Christ.

In a world full of distractions and temptations, Camp Equip provided more than just spiritual enrichment — it was a lifechanging experience that equipped young believers with the tools to grow in five key aspects of charismatic spirituality: Worship, Intercession, Spiritual Gifts, Evangelisation, and Discipleship. By the end of the retreat, participants were empowered to step out of their comfort zones, share their faith with boldness, and lead others toward Christ.

Ranging from 18 to 25, participants travelled from various locations, including Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Sitiawan, and even Singapore. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they united in anticipation of the life-altering impact this retreat would have on their lives. Throughout the retreat, dynamic speakers from the Seeds Ministry — Paul Julianose, Jonathan Charanraj, and Samuel Theivendran — as well as Norman Bismer and Michelle Antony from ABLAZE Ministry, guided participants through both practical teachings and heartfelt personal testimonies. These sessions helped attendees deepen their spiritual understanding and inspired them to serve others with love and compassion.

The retreat’s modules centred on key aspects of Christian life. The Worship module emphasised gratitude, praise, and surrender, while Intercession taught participants how to pray prophetically for others. In the Spiritual Gifts module, attendees explored their unique talents and learned how to use them in service to God. Evangelisation equipped participants to share their faith courageously, and Discipleship challenged them to explore what it truly means to follow Christ.

One of the most impactful elements of Camp Equip was its focus on realworld application. Evening sessions gave participants opportunities to practise their learnings, whether through worship, prayer, or sharing their personal experiences. The Evangelisation missions were a highlight, where participants visited St Joseph’s Home, a children’s shelter, and the Lighthouse Feeding Centre, a service for the homeless. These experiences allowed attendees to express God’s love in tangible ways and helped them overcome any fears associated with evangelism.

The street evangelisation along Karpal Singh Drive was especially challenging, as participants were encouraged to engage strangers and share the message of Christ. While intimidating at first, many participants found the courage to step into vulnerability and embrace their role as messengers of God’s love. These encounters sparked a desire to continue spreading the Gospel long after the retreat ended.

However, the true strength of Camp Equip lay in its sense of community. The fellowship — during shared meals, heartfelt conversations, and quiet moments of prayer — created a deep sense of belonging and love that would endure beyond the retreat. The relationships forged during these two weeks were rooted in a shared commitment to follow Christ, and they inspired participants to build similar communities in their own churches and youth groups.

The retreat reached its peak with the ARISE outreach event, a local gathering held by The Seeds Ministry in Penang. Here, participants had the opportunity to share their testimonies and reflect on the profound transformations they had experienced throughout the retreat. The programme concluded with Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Sebastian Francis, during which each participant was officially commissioned as a disciple, ready to bring the light of Christ to the world.

In a time when the world can often seem divided and uncertain, Camp Equip 2025 demonstrated the power of faith to transform lives and communities. The Seeds Ministry, in collaboration with ABLAZE Ministry, continues to empower young adults to become Spirit-filled missionaries, fostering a brighter, more faithfilled future. As these young disciples return to their daily lives, they carry with them a renewed passion for Christ and a commitment to share the love and message of God wherever they go.

Testimonies

Aidan Alexander Franklin, from Kuala Lumpur, thought his spiritual life was “together” but soon realised his connection with God was surface-level. “Camp Equip showed me that I didn’t know it all, and it drove me to go deeper,” Aidan shared.

Matthias Njauw, a 19-year-old from Singapore, came to the camp in a spiritual dry spell, consumed by worldly distractions like gaming. But the camp’s welcoming atmosphere and the powerful sessions on worship and healing helped him rediscover his faith. “Leading worship was so much fun, and I began to understand how to feed God’s sheep,” Matthias said, reflecting on the street evangelisation missions.

Marie Chan Simei, also from Singapore thought her relationship with God was solid, but the camp opened her eyes to areas of her spiritual life that were lacking. “I was blinded by pride, thinking I was doing enough, but I wasn’t intentionally praying,” she admitted. Through Camp Equip, Marie developed a deeper prayer life and a newfound excitement for scripture.

Brianna Priya Shhalini, an 18-year-old from Penang, was struggling with suicidal thoughts and a lack of spiritual direction, she found healing and clarity at Camp Equip. “I experienced God like never before,” she said. Brianna now feels called to pursue full-time missionary work.

Herald Malaysia

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