Filipino delegates from IYF Philippines

In hindsight, it would seem like any other guided field trip to Hong Kong—a bunch of teenagers sauntering on Nathan Road, eager eyes gawking on the urban sights of Kowloon, cameras flashing to take wacky shots at Victoria Peak. What’s interesting though is, besides the uniform vests, cameras and roundtrip train tickets, these young tourists were carrying with them Bibles and a strong sense of faith that goes beyond their juvenile minds.

Recently, over 3,500 students from around the globe trooped to Hong Kong to participate in a mega scale youth exchange program that encompasses skin color, language, and culture—the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) World Camp held at the Asia World Expo.

Established to cultivate leaders of the next generation, World Camp is a component of the IYF global youth organization that recognizes the youth as propellers of change with broadened views of the world and hearts of self-sacrifice.

During the four-day event, students- and senior members from 80 IYF centers worldwide, including a delegation from the Philippines, converged to join the momentous activities of IYF’s first World Camp of 2010 that is a prelude to the organization’s string of activities slated for the year. 

Aimed to broaden the hearts and minds of the youth so that they can break free from their spiritual and cultural frame, IYF World Camp allows participating students to freely interact and make friends through fellowships, Bible seminars and lectures, concerts, cultural performances, academy workshops, and free tours around Hong Kong. 

But besides all these, Pastor Ock Soo Park, IYF Chief Advisor, imparts that the main draw of the World Camp to these young students are the values and Bible doctrines they learn and share with each other. “Some of the students who attend the World Camp are not entirely in good terms with life and God. I take pride in saying that a lot of young delinquents have opened their hearts to the Lord after joining us in this event,” Pastor Park explained.

With delegates coming from all walks of life, from different corners of the world, different cultures and religion, the only binding factor among these students is their faith. “We don’t discriminate against other religions; neither do we require people to convert. As long as they are willing to open their hearts to the good news written in the Bible, they are very welcome to join us,” said Pastor Kyung Hyun Nam, IYF Philippines president.

Although a big chunk of the IYF comes from Korea and China, the youth fellowship has a huge global following and had successfully mounted world camps in Kenya, Togo, Austria, Peru, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, and Hawaii. On the other hand, IYF Goodnews Corps Overseas volunteers, students doing volunteer work in over 80 countries, share their experiences in their overseas immersions through world culture exhibitions allowing other members to experience different cultures without having to travel there.

IYF World Camp is slated to have 30 World Camps for 2010 and one of these will be held in the Philippines on May 3 to 8 at the Cuneta Astrodome. “IYF Philippines has been around since 2001 and we have over 3,000 Filipino members. I believe we are ready to host the World Camp and it’s about time the Filipinos showcase their culture to our brothers and sisters from around the world,” shared Pastor Nam.

This is not the first time for IYF Philippines to host an activity for IYF but it will be the first time for the Philippines to have over 1,500 long-staying youth visitors for a single event, which would translate to increased tourist arrivals for the country.
  
For more information on 2010 IYF World Camp Philippines, visit http://www.goodnews.ph/