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The Power of One (P1) Care Camp 2025, a week-long simultaneous youth camping across 21 East Visayan Conference (EVC) districts, reported remarkable success. It reaped 414 overall baptisms during the culmination day.

This initiative, which aligned with "The Harvest 2025" vision, took place from June 8-14, 2025.

A collaborative effort between the leaders and the young people of EVC, and in partnership with the Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC), this camp aimed to equip the Adventist youth for mission, evangelism, and leadership, thereby mobilizing them to take part in God's great commission.

Focusing on the theme derived from Matthew 9:37-38, which states, "The harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few," participants were encouraged to engage as active laborers: to invite one non-Adventist friend to join the camp.

Amidst a sense of excitement, fellowship, and adventure in distant farmlands and mountain areas, the initiative welcomed 2,995 campers and 831 non-Adventist guests. For the Adventist youth, it allowed them to renew their hope in Christ and experience spiritual revival. For the non-believers, it was a week-long chance to learn about Jesus and the Bible through plenary sessions and break-out groups.

Pastor Mariano Salloman Jr., stewardship director of the Central Philippine Union Conference and the gospel speaker of a care camp in Baybay, Leyte, said in an interview, "The P1 Care Camp provided ample opportunities for the youth to review the Adventist doctrines, revive spiritually, and engage in youth-to-youth evangelism.

He also explained the goal of having one participant invite a non-Adventist friend. "The camp presented a wonderful opportunity to reach more souls for the kingdom, as they would stay at the campsite for a week. Each was to follow a program designed specifically for youth evangelism."

The campers started their day with a morning devotional. First, the facilitators gathered for their own worship time, followed by a family worship session for each unit. This meditation period for the facilitators aimed to seek enlightenment and spiritual guidance to help them lead the day's activities.

After each plenary session on evangelism or fundamental beliefs, the campers gathered in their respective groups to discuss the topic. These discussions aimed to clarify any confusion, provide a deeper understanding, and serve as a tool to assess each participant's level of comprehension.

Those periods were also a time of reflection and self-evaluation that brought a willing and renewed heart closer to God. On the other hand, those moments also came as learning for the non-believers and chances for Bible-sharing for both groups.

Aside from the campers' participation as active "missionaries-in-training," which engaged them in scripture-sharing and conducting Bible studies, they also took turns leading morning and evening devotionals.

As a favorable turnout, many baptized individuals were the fruits of youth-to-youth evangelism, showing the effectiveness of empowering young people in the Lord's work.

Organizers also arranged "pathfinding activities," which taught the campers practical life and survival skills, all within an educational yet adventurous framework that prioritizes hands-on learning.

The P1 Care Camp 2025 has established a powerful precedent, demonstrating that dedicated, trained, and spiritually inspired youth can be instrumental in the "Harvest 2025." 

In an interview, Pastor Berdandino Maniego, communication director of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in the Central Philippines and the gospel speaker in the P1 Care Camp in Brgy. Bayog, Ormoc City, said that the camp had a dual impact.

"First, it serves as a revival in nature for the Adventist young people because the topics being presented are all doctrinal," Pastor Maniego said.

"Second is, it serves as an avenue for evangelism or soul-winning program, and the presence of the young, non-believers during the camping serves as the captured audience and a potential candidate for baptism."

The success of the youth camp is seen as the beginning of a lifelong commitment to soul-winning, with a challenge for every camper to continue their work for the Lord in their communities, homes, or schools. 

"The P1 Care Camp is a memorable experience filled with fun and messages that can enhance our enthusiasm as Christians. I also believe that this initiative is an instrument to reach out to people and share our faith with them," Janred Pedida Bacalla, a youth leader from the Calubian District, said.

The organizers praised God for the success and took the camp as proof of the great things young people can achieve when empowered and given opportunities for God's kingdom.

"I really enjoyed the P1 Care Camp and I got to know God better because of the lectures," Baby Francine Dawat, a non-Adventist invitee from Burauen camp, shared.

Dawat is one of the 414 campers who were baptized during the simultaneous care camps.

For the leaders, this figure represented lives touched, transformed, and committed to walking in the light of truth. In addition, this simultaneous camping can be a perfect launching ground for the youth to respond to the call of the "Harvest 2025".

By Honeylette Barrientos/ EVC Youth Council President

This article was originally published on the official Facebook page of the East Visayan Conference Youth Ministries Department.