Serving at Youth Camp 2026
Maureen Koh was one of the helpers at our recent youth camp. It was her first time serving, and also the first time at a youth camp. She shares her experience as a helper, what she learnt from serving and ways the church can continue to trust God to work among our youth.
I became a Christian as an adult so this was my first time experiencing a youth camp. What brought me to volunteer as an assistant leader was simple curiosity. I wanted to explore how I could serve effectively across different ministries. With an open mind and heart, I signed up to volunteer.
Nicholas, our Youth Ministry Worker, and the youths at camp.
This year’s book was Galatians. Together with the youths I learnt what the gospel is, why there is no other gospel and who commissioned unlikely candidate Paul. Paul, despite persecuting the church of God violently in the past, was commissioned and transformed by God as described in Galatians 1:12-17.
Learning while serving
While chatting and getting to know the youths, who were between the ages of 11 and 16, I recognised that some of my questions were not always relatable to them. It made in reflect on how differently youth think and process things. One example was when I ask, “Where do you look for acceptance? Where is your worth?” Many of them where nonchalant and unsure how to respond. Their life experiences are still limited and while they understand what Jesus has done, they have not yet been in situations that require them to apply conviction. They have not fully experienced what it means to live out the gospel in real situations. Accepting this contrast reminded me to be patient and to be okay that my questions may not always meet them where they are at while still gently pointing them to the hope they have in Christ.
I also took the chance to ask fellow leaders and some of the older youths what stood out to them when they looked back on previous camps. These conversations stayed with me because each on revealed a different aspect of how God had been shaping them over the years. Two conversations stood out to me more vividly. The first was with an older teen who spoke about gradual conviction and deepening understanding of the gospel. She said that at earlier camps the gospel felt like information but over the years it becomes something personal and transformative. Hearing her describe this slow, patient work in her heart reminded me that faith often grows quietly and over time.
The second was with a fellow volunteer who reflected on the friendships and community built across the years. He shared how returning to camp and seeing the same people year after year gave him a deep sense of stability and encouragement in his Christian walk. A small anecdote he shared stayed with me. He said that sometimes it is not about whether someone is perfectly relatable but simply knowing that there are individuals who will be present when he needs them. People who will walk with him in the journey of faith. Hearing him reminded me of what it truly means to be a friend to not only youths but also within the Church.
These conversations together with learning to be prayerful at all times and trusting that God is the one who justifies and sanctifies the hearts of these youths, have changed the way I approach people. I am learning simply to be a friend, tell them the good news and to remain prayerfully trusting in the Lord of all heart work.
Watching the church at work
One thing that stood out to me besides the friendships made was Auntie Siew Ting’s modelling how to facilitate conversation that begin from the Bible. She showed us how to identify verses that modern readers may struggle to relate or apply and how to guide the group from understanding the text to examining our hearts and considering how it shapes our daily lives.
A concrete example was when she brought our attention to Galatians 2:7. She asked, “What is your understanding of circumcised?” This simple question has opened up a meaningful discussion for the group. It helped the youths recall the Old Testament context where circumcision marked God’s chosen people and symbolised belonging to His covenant. From there the group could see more clearly why Paul emphasised his mission to the uncircumcised and how the gospel was now for both Jews and Gentiles. It showed me how a careful question rooted in scripture can draw out both understanding and application. How to turn a historical detail into an opportunity to grasp the gospel more deeply.
I am grateful for the friendships formed, the honest conversations and the chance to witness God at work in ways both visible and quiet in those three days. Youth camp reminded me that ministry is not about being impressive but being present, prayerful and patient with God’s work.
Our youths will meet on Sundays, after service, in 2026. If you would like to find out more about youth ministry, feel free to contact our Ministry Worker, Nicholas (nicholas@gracebaptistchurch.sg).