More than 520 people gathered at Tōtara Springs Christian Camp for HM Rage—a youth event that takes place every King’s Birthday weekend, standing for ‘His Majesty’s… Rather A Grand Event’.
Young people and their youth leaders came from 21 churches across the Upper North Island—CCCNZ churches represented included Auckland Bible Church, LifeChurch Manurewa, Hillcrest Chapel, Tāmaki Community Church, Paeroa Bible Chapel, Northgate Community Church, Lincoln Road Bible Chapel, Matamata Bible Church, Raleigh Street Christian Centre, Mt Wellington Community Church, The Garden, and Orewa Community Church, among others.
Shannon Samuels is from Tāmaki Community Church as serves as part of the HM Rage organising committee. She says said the heart behind the event was to help young people meet Jesus, grow in their faith, and deepen their relationships with one another.
“The reason we volunteer, and the reason we give up time to plan and prepare, is to see people connect with Jesus and grow in Jesus as they connect with each other. There were so many really fantastic conversations and prayer times taking place over the weekend.”
Shannon says one of the most significant moments of the weekend came during the call-to-faith night, when 72 people responded, including 14 first-time commitments to follow Jesus, alongside other decisions and responses made throughout the camp.
The band Alabaster Worship not only led worship sessions, but also helped serve lunch to attendees, “we were blown away by how keen they were to serve and bless the camp.”
The main camp speaker was Aaron Hodgson from Raleigh Street Christian Centre, who spoke on the theme Hidden. His messages explored what it means for a Christian’s private and public life to align, calling young people to honesty before God and to find wholeness and freedom in their identity in Christ.
Pathways College was represented at the event, and ministry Word of Life provided their famous bouncy castles as well as running a stall selling toasties, hot chips and coffee to keep everyone going, with proceeds going towards their upcoming mission trip later this year.
The main camp speaker was Aaron Hodgson from Raleigh Street Christian Centre, who spoke on the theme Hidden. His messages explored what it means for a Christian’s private and public life to align, calling young people to honesty before God and to find wholeness and freedom in their identity in Christ.
Pathways College was represented at the event, and ministry Word of Life provided their famous bouncy castles as well as running a stall selling toasties, hot chips and coffee to keep everyone going, with proceeds going towards their upcoming mission trip later this year.
Elective speakers built on the same theme from a range of perspectives, addressing both the hidden struggles people may carry and the hidden gifts or strengths that may need to be developed.
Elective speakers included Brett Harvey, Todd Funk, Nick Tuitasi, Marina Shannon, Rick and Annemarie, and Richard Goodwin.
