In May 2025, the Brunstad Christian Church in South Africa (BCCSA), hosted Camp Africa, an international event, which is held annually. Participants from BCC fellowships throughout Africa attended, namely Cameroon (30), The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (11), Kenya (12), Malawi (10), Nigeria (3), and Tanzania (7), as well as several participants from Europe.
The theme of the four-day camp was “Serving others with what you have”. At the opening church service, the true meaning of serving others was illustrated with the viewing of a short film on the life of Jesus Christ as a young boy. It showed how Jesus had to learn to serve others according to God’s will and not his own. Clarifying this through their messages at the service, Tielman Slabbert, the spiritual leader of BCCSA, as well as the guest speakers present, explained that following Jesus’ example of serving others, means giving up one’s own will completely and learning to serve in all simplicity and obedience to God’s promptings, in the small things in life’s daily situations. Each one has different circumstances, abilities and resources, but that is not important. Serving others begins with those close by – at home with your family, in your local church and community, using just what you have in your circumstances.
The camp program was well balanced with edifying church services, a mentors’ workshop, a Bible study, a theme evening which included a panel discussion, as well as recreational activities such as sport, arts & crafts and games. Fellowship was fostered at the informal sing-along and story-telling gatherings in the evenings and at the Sunday morning breakfast shared in the homes of BCCSA members, as well as during free time.
The mentors’ workshop on the Friday morning and the panel discussion at the theme evening went hand in hand. The workshop discussion groups gave insight into the challenges mentors are faced with in their home churches and the panel discussion gave invaluable guidance, not only to the mentors, but to all present. Understanding and using God’s Word as a tool in all circumstances, whether when working with Sunday School children, the youth in the BUK Clubs, at home and work, wherever … It is the key to living a life pleasing to God!
Judging from feedback, and the testimonies below, the purpose of Camp Africa was achieved in the hearts of many of the participants who have been stirred up to a commitment to serve in a practical way in their own circumstances where a need has been recognised through the promptings of Jesus.
Testimonies:
Rachel Tcheumwa (Bafoussam, Cameroon):
“I am very grateful to have been able to participate in the recent Camp Africa. Through the themes discussed during the workshop sessions and the messages in the church services, I have made the decision to surrender myself completely to God, so that His will may be accomplished in my life, right where He has placed me. I will continually turn to Jesus—for guidance and strength. I will also carry in prayer the children, the youth, and the parents, trusting God to work mightily in all our lives. Though we live in different places, we all face the same challenges. I return home filled with faith and hope, confident that God will continue to lead me, and that everything will keep getting better.”
Christian Bell (Yaoundé, Cameroon):
“The camp was a truly blessed experience for me in every way. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet many people from different places who all share the same spiritual goal. The Bible studies, workshops, and church services were all well-organized and perfectly suited to our needs. There was a caring atmosphere at the camp, always with the best in mind for each person. The activities were also great and gave me a wonderful chance to connect with others from different backgrounds across Africa. Thank you so much for the amazing time I had.”
Martin Kabetcha (Mulanje, Malawi):
“I would like to thank the organisers of this year’s Camp Africa. I really found the workshop topics were well chosen and very helpful as most of them depicted real life situations that we encounter in our fellowships in Africa. I was happy that we were able to discuss solutions to the challenges that we experience with our youth. The camp has left me an assignment – I should take heed to myself and what Jesus is working in me. I thank and praise God for being able to be part of Camp Africa.”
Joy Ekeocha (Nigeria):
“I enjoyed the Camp very much. It has helped me realize that I still have a lot to work with in myself. The workshops were what I really needed because now I see the need to become a good mentor and to help the younger youth, not with words but by being a good example to them. When they see me, they should see the life of Christ in me. Thank you for the Camp Africa, I really enjoyed it and enjoyed the soccer tournament as well!”
Timothy Anditi (Kenya):
“I am happy that I came to the Camp. In my daily situations I should ask myself what I can do to be a blessing to others. I was clearly reminded again that things become difficult only when I have demands and expectations of others. Another thing that spoke to me was to have everyone on my heart, irrespective of how they are. Thank you for Camp Africa”.
