Youth Camp 2025: Faith IRL (In Real Life)
Theme Scripture: “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” – 1 John 2:6
From the 18th to 21st April 2025, young people from across the U.K. along with some international guests gathered for Youth Camp 2025, themed Faith IRL (In Real Life). It was a wonderful time of fellowship, learning, and spiritual renewal as campers explored what it truly means to live out their faith daily. Over four memorable days, the camp combined heartfelt singing, engaging activities, and meaningful conversations that left a lasting impact on all who attended.
Day 1 – Friday: Arrival and Movie Night
Campers were warmly welcomed with a shared dinner. Later in the evening, campers gathered for movie night to watch The Forge. The film follows the story of a young man who experienced salvation and had to grapple with life’s challenges with the help of God, discipleship and connection to a community of believers. The movie reminds viewers that God forges character through many means, which includes the fire of life’s trials as well as mentorship and community.
After the movie, we spent some time in group reflection. Some key lessons stood out from our discussion. We learned that prayer should never be our last resort; it is something we should turn to both in great and small moments. Having people in our lives who can hold our hands in prayer is a true blessing.
We also explored the barriers to asking for help. Sometimes, pride or fear of looking foolish stops us, but asking good questions shows understanding. Ego and the toxic culture of extreme self-reliance can isolate us, making us believe we are enough on our own. However, true growth often comes through fellowship and discipleship. Some people wrongly believe that just reading the Bible is enough, but Scripture itself teaches us to seek community and mentorship. Campers were encouraged to spend some time in prayer.
Day 2 – Saturday: Sports, Prayer, and Testimonies
The second day began with the devotional and fellowship over breakfast. The morning continued with the AFM Ballers tournament, an inter-church football tournament. For those less inclined towards football, there were lively AFM games like tug-of-war in the gymnasium, while others participated in Women’s Fitness sessions that combined exercise with fellowship.
Following lunch and a time of rest, campers entered the Prayer Room and later took part in GTG (Go To God session). This session was a time to explore the basics of communicating with God according to their learning styles. We began with an icebreaker, a psychographic quiz that helped each camper identify whether they were primarily visual, audio, textual, or kinesthetic learners.
After the icebreaker, campers moved into small groups to engage in prayer-based Bible studies tailored to their learning styles. Visual learners studied repentance through Psalm 51, reflecting on imagery and creativity in prayer. Audio learners listened deeply to the story of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26, connecting with the emotional depth of Jesus’ plea. Textual learners immersed themselves in Elijah’s struggle with depression in 1 Kings 19, drawing out lessons through reading and reflection. Kinesthetic learners explored Hannah’s desperate prayer for a child through activities linked to 1 Samuel 1 and 2, learning how physical expression can be a form of prayer.
After the studies, each group gave a short presentation sharing what they had learned. We then closed with a time of personal prayer, encouraging everyone to commit to developing a rhythm of quality time with God in their daily lives.
In the evening, the atmosphere shifted to a more sombre and heartfelt space with a session titled To Be Honest, a live conversation about suffering and faith. Campers were seated in a large circle, quietly listening as six individuals, including our youth leader, shared personal stories about grief, sickness, mental health, and learning to suffer well in Christ.
We began with an icebreaker called “Everyone Has Suffered.” Campers stood with their eyes closed while questions about experiences of loss, betrayal, rejection, sadness, and pain were asked. Slowly, one by one, everyone sat down, symbolising that suffering is part of the human experience.
During the conversation, it became clear that to walk as Jesus walked, we must also be willing to suffer as he suffered. Brother Adebanji Alade closed the session with a short, powerful sermon, reminding us that affliction without Christ leads to hopelessness. He challenged us with the question, “What excuse is holding you back from fully reaching out to God?”
Day 3 – Sunday: Real Conversations and Real Worship
Sunday activities began with breakfast and devotionals before quiet time in the Prayer Room. For Sunday School, we explored the lesson He is Risen, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus and what it means for our new lives in Him. This was followed by the devotional service, where a special highlight was a group of young people of Zimbabwean descent leading us in the moving song Bawo. The lyrics, sung in heartfelt tones, were a plea to the Father: “Ndikhokhele Bawo, zundikhokhele” meaning “Lead me, oh Father, lead me.”
Sister Lara Shorinmade-Oguntoke delivered the main message for the day, preaching on the theme of A New Beginning. She encouraged us to remember that through Christ’s sacrifice, each one of us has the opportunity for a new start, no matter our background or the mistakes of our past. Jesus paid the price so that we could walk in freedom, hope, and renewed purpose.
The afternoon featured IMO, In My Opinion, an open forum where young people bravely shared insights and discussed challenges they would love future camps to address. There was a shared hunger to go deeper in understanding the word of God, and many expressed a desire for more teaching and mentorship to help them grow.
In the evening, Sunday Night Live brought a light-hearted yet powerful experience. Special guests shared testimonies of living out their faith in practical ways through music, entrepreneurship, fashion and other fields. These stories helped campers to see that faith is not confined to church settings but can shine brightly in every area of life. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and inspiration as young people realized they could use their own gifts and callings to glorify God.
Sunday evening also included a memorable Pick It Up and Preach game. Participants were given random objects and challenged to create a short sermon linking the word of God to the object they received. One particularly impactful moment came when a young man was given an empty bag. Holding the bag up to the congregation, he challenged us to think about its emptiness and then asked, “Do you know what else was empty? The tomb!” The entire congregation erupted in applause and cheers. He then reminded us powerfully that with God, our lives are never empty. The evening was packed with more moving moments like these during the talent show, where campers showcased their creativity and heart for God. Brother Segun Ifesanmi wrapped up the evening with a heartfelt sermon. Using an object lesson of a trust fall, he beautifully illustrated why we can trust in God’s integrity and faithfulness, encouraging everyone to place their full confidence in Him.
Day 4 – Monday: Reflections and Farewells
Monday began with breakfast and devotional time, a format that had proved to be an engaging way for young people to start each day in the Word of God. Campers were lively and eager to soak in the last moments of fellowship together.
The morning session opened with a fun Bible Book Unscramble game, Afterwards, the Faith Line panel session offered practical wisdom for facing real-life dilemmas. The panelists answered questions with honesty and authenticity, offering personal stories and biblical counsel. The Awards Session was a time of celebration, recognising campers who had exemplified kindness, creativity, friendliness, punctuality, and teamwork throughout the weekend.
Muyiwa Olayisade delivered the final round-up message, reminding everyone that the lessons learned at camp were not meant to stay at camp. They were seeds planted to be nurtured and grown in the daily lives of each camper. He urged everyone to take their faith seriously, to remember the calling God has placed on their lives, and to live boldly for Christ.
We give thanks to God for a wonderful Youth Camp 2025 and solicit your continued prayers for the growth of our young people in their daily walk with Christ.
