Camp Africa: Missionary work in Africa

BCC is an internationally active community. 270 young people from nine different countries will gather soon for Camp Africa, where Christian missions for children and youth will be in the spotlight.  


By Johanne Reiersrud – Photos by BCC

The camp was a huge hit last year and is returning for a second time at the end of March. Youth from nine African countries will participate, in addition to some guests from Europe.

“We hope to teach more youth workers how to be good role models and resources in their local Christian communities,” explains Grethe Slabbert (23). She is one of the driving forces behind Camp Africa 2019. It takes place in the church of Vanderbijlpark, South Africa, which is part of the international BCC community.

“Being close to Jesus is primarily about a life, not a doctrine. That’s why we organize youth conferences and camps like this, which focus on Christian youth and children’s work. We have gotten acquainted with young people from many countries.”

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Grethe Slabbert (on right) and other event planners will soon be finished with their preparations for this year’s camp. Photo: BCC

60 youth from Cameroon, about 20 from Kenya, and approximately 140 from the three South African churches will be attending, among others. The camp will last for four days, and the program consists of both edification and activities. “We experience a unique fellowship here which supersedes nationality, race, and background,” says Grethe Slabbert.

Mission work in Africa since the 1970s

BCC’s first connections on the African continent were formed in South Africa in the 1970s. In the following years, mission work and church development continued in Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The largest and most established church is in South Africa, and the Vanderbiljpark campus has become a natural gathering place for Africans and guests from other countries to meet for conferences and youth events. In recent years, conference facilities have also been built in Cameroon, Kenya, and DR Congo, where members of the church and other likeminded people can gather for Christian edification and fellowship.

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<em>Conference at Vanderbijkpark in 2018 – one of the places in Africa which is used for Christian events and fellowship. Photo: BCC</em></p>
<h3>Training for mentors and careworkers</h3>
<p>At Camp Africa in 2018, participants were trained to mentor youth and children in their local/home churches. The camp consisted of activities that could be implemented in any country and with limited resources. “Our goal is to teach young people how to organize and accomplish suitable activities, so discussions at the camp workshops focused on different types of challenges which can come up.” Activity implementation will be thematized again this year. Another whole day will be dedicated to activities of choice—participants can select from dance, music, cycling, climbing, art, volleyball, and motor sports, according to Grethe.</p>
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The dance group at the Camp in 2018. Photo: BCC

During the camp, BCC’s Resource Team, represented by Harald Kronstad, will hold a seminar on prevention of inappropriate conduct and wrongful actions. It is important for BCC that all its churches be safe arenas for activities, play, and Christian fellowship.

Youth work and missions are one and the same

 

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Grethe Slabbert and her soccer team last year. They are looking forward to seeing friends from many different countries again soon. Photo: BCC

Grethe Slabbert explains how youth work and missions are interchangeable for event planners.

“We grow to love each other, and the connection we have through our faith means more and more to us. This fall we were at a youth conference in DR Congo, and now we are really looking forward to meeting our friends again at Camp Africa.”

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<em>Fellowship, activities, and good memories from Camp Africa 2018. Photo: BCC</em></p>
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