As we have just entered the new year, let us acknowledge the Lord who has carried us to this moment. Every day behind us stands as a testimony – not to our strength, but to His sustaining grace. With renewed hearts, let us commit ourselves afresh to Him, seeking holiness in our walk, discernment in our choices, and steadfast zeal in all our service. In a world marked by spiritual confusion and moral compromise, may the Lord grant us watchful hearts, that we may resist the adversary and remain faithful to Christ.
As we look back, humility with gratitude must become our proper posture. The Lord has dealt with us far better than we deserve. His patience has outlasted our failures, and His mercy has covered our many shortcomings. Let this remembrance guard us from pride and cultivate in us thankful and obedient spirits. Gratitude is not merely an emotion; it is a way of life shaped by grace received.
Be assured that you and your families are remembered in prayer. Your burdens, labours, and unseen struggles are not forgotten before God. At the same time, I earnestly covet your prayers, that together we may stand firm and finish well. There is much work yet to be accomplished, many responsibilities entrusted unto us, and real burdens that must be borne with patience and faith. The days ahead will not be idle ones.
The days ahead remain hidden from our sight, but they are fully known to our God. He goes before His people, ordering every step with wisdom and love. Rest in this promise: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10). May this assurance steady our hearts as we walk forward together in the New Year with faith.
Testimonies of GYF Retreat Participants
Elizabeth Teong
I thank God for giving me this wonderful opportunity to join this retreat. This was my first youth retreat, and it was very enjoyable. Praise God for all who have made this retreat possible, and for everyone who took care of me.
Thank God that Pr Cornelius was able to deliver the six theme messages. I have learnt many lessons from this retreat, but one lesson I remember most is theme message 4 – “How not to slide back into past sins”. I have learnt that I should not revisit nor dwell on the past sins, but I should reflect and not do them again. I should also choose my friends wisely, avoid ungodly people, and not allow the distance between God and me to increase. All glory be to God.
Ruth Galarpe
I thank God for the opportunity to join this retreat and for the much-needed fellowship with like-minded brethren. The theme is very timely for me, at an age when sin is more accessible and often easier to justify. I’ve learned that being tempted isn’t the same as sinning; it’s what I choose to do with the temptation that counts. Many of my struggles begin in quiet moments when I feel tired, lonely, or overwhelmed, and temptation often comes disguised as comfort or escape.
This retreat reminded me that yielding is a choice. Every day, I decide whom I will serve. When I surrender my thoughts and actions to God, I experience true freedom. Obedience is protection! There are times when I know what is right yet struggle to do it, and I’ve learned that this struggle does not mean a lack of faith. It means being human, and needing God’s grace.
The hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, reminds me that though I am prone to wander, I must actively surrender my heart to God. And because of that surrender, I can continue to fight against sin – not in my strength, but by His grace. All glory be unto Him!
Annabelle Lim
Thank God for the opportunity to attend the youth retreat this year. Being my first, it was very special to me. Thank God for enabling Pr Cornelius to preach to us on: ‘Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin’. Theme message 3, taken from Romans 7:7-25, touched me the most – particularly Romans 7:19-20, which says, “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”
I learnt that the struggle against and hatred of sin are evidence that we are saved. I myself used to think that if I kept struggling with sin, it meant that I was not saved. Sometimes I would get frustrated that temptation remains after conversion, but I realise that as I become more spiritually mature, I will grieve over sin more (Romans 7:21-25). Thank God for clearing many thoughts and misconceptions that I had before the youth retreat.
I also thank God for how He gave me recovery from my sudden fever on the second day. I thank God for my roommates who reminded me to drink more water and be cautious of what I ate. I also enjoyed the two workshops, and the fun I had in exploring the place with fellow youths. Truly, praise God for blessing me throughout this youth retreat, and for the close fellowship I had with fellow youths.
Judy Chan
Praise God for His mercies in preserving us throughout this retreat. I thank God for blessing the planning committee with unity, wisdom and strength, as well as for helping me serve in the Aux-Comm and carry out my duties as room i/c. I thank God for the opportunity to pray with my roommates, to get to know them, and to hear their testimonies.
I praise God for enabling Pr Cornelius to preach to us faithfully. Among many lessons learned, these two particularly struck me:
- When external temptation meets with internal temptation (our lusts), it becomes sin. Therefore, we must be watchful of our surroundings, and yield our hearts to God’s Word.
- Suppressing our desires will lead to failure because it is based on human strength, but submitting them to God will give us victory because it is divine strength. All glory be to God!
Bernice Tan
Thank God for the three fruitful days spent in fellowship and study of God’s Word. I thank God for enabling Pr Cornelius to share God’s Word with us; the messages were edifying and instructive to us Christian youths in the light of today’s geopolitical circumstances. It was particularly enlightening to learn that temptation itself does not make us evil; the actual issue lies in how we respond when temptation comes. Indeed, we must rely on God’s divine power, not on our own human strength alone, to overcome temptations.
Thank God for also granting the YF Committee and the Aux-Comm the strength and wisdom to organise this retreat. Despite the rainy season, the Lord was ever gracious and granted us good weather to conduct our outdoor activities. Through the carefully crafted workshops and games, not only did we gain a deeper understanding of the Scriptures we studied, but also of how to take our stance as God-fearing Christians. We also had a blessed time of fellowship, and encouraged one another in the Lord.
As the year ends and we return to our respective places of school and work, may the messages we had heard continue to work in our hearts to help us ‘resist the devil’. Praise the Lord!
Clement Tan
First, I like to thank the Lord for His providence throughout the retreat. The good weather, the preaching by Pr Cornelius, and the Aux-Comm’s planning were all provided by the Lord. I thank Him for helping the retreat go smoothly. For example, during the games, it was at first raining quite heavily, but a few minutes later, the rain suddenly stopped, and we were able to proceed with the outdoor games smoothly. This was undoubtedly the Lord’s hand at work.
Second, I praise God for granting us the “tools” to fight the tough battle against sin. I have learnt so many truths from God’s Word about how to guard myself against the temptations of sin in the world. For example, we were taught that temptations are situations of test, and we must rely on God through prayer, admit our inability to overcome sin, and avoid falling into them. Through this retreat, I believe I am better equipped to fight a good fight against sin, even as I witness more worldly temptations around me.
Lastly, I thank God for providing me with a good spiritual environment to mature in the faith. As we were taught in this retreat, watching how those around us flee temptations and sin will strengthen us to do likewise. Therefore, I am grateful to be part of a community of godly youths, and to grow and mature spiritually with them.
The Lord has been a great Help and Sustainer to me during this retreat. May the Lord continue to guard me against sin, and help me fight the good fight against sin.
Parousia Chan
I thank God for granting me the opportunity to attend this year’s youth retreat, in which several messages were preached about our struggles with temptation and sin. I’d like to share three points that I have learnt.
Firstly, I learnt about the distinction between external and internal temptation. External temptations may always be present in the form of things we can see, hear or do, but they will not affect us unless they appeal to internal temptations, which are our own fleshly lusts. Secondly, we must not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness (Rom 6:13). Instead, we should submit ourselves to the Lord through prayer, and actively use our bodies as instruments of righteousness. Thirdly, God’s law reveals our sins, and we must seek cleansing through the confession of our sins and by trusting Christ’s blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Christians will continue to experience a struggle with sin throughout life, but that is proof of our salvation.
Additionally, thank God for this scenic hilly resort, where we can view His wonderful creation, as well as for the fellowship and laughter shared with fellow campers in this short (3D-2N) but meaningful retreat.
Furthermore, I would also like to thank God for seeing me through the past year. Thank God for the faithful preaching of the Word by Pastor and Pr Cornelius in YF meetings, which are especially relevant to situations we face in life as youths. I’m also very grateful for the blessing of many friends in church who care for and encourage one another throughout the year. All glory be to God!
Reuel Resuma
I praise God for enabling me to attend this year’s youth retreat and for the many spiritual lessons I have learned. I thank God for the YF Committee and the Auxiliary Committee, who meticulously organised this retreat for our spiritual edification. Praise God also for Pr Cornelius, who faithfully expounded God’s Word to us. It was fun playing the games and encouraging to interact with others, even with some whom I have not conversed with in a long time. Truly, I thank God that I could focus on His Word, and have a blessed fellowship with His children. Praise the Lord!
Phoebe Lim
I thank God for this year’s youth retreat and for the many hands that laboured behind the scenes to make this camp a blessed time for us to learn God’s Word and fellowship with the brethren.
Thank God for the faithful preaching of His Word by Pr Cornelius, and for granting him much clarity and discernment in expounding on the theme: “Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin”. The messages reminded me that the real source of temptation arises from our own inner desires, and that we have no one to blame but ourselves for succumbing to our own lusts (James 1:14). Only through humble submission to God, whereby we bring every desire before Him and yield ourselves to His will, can we gain victory over sin. Following are key lessons I’ve learnt:
Yielding my body as an instrument of righteousness rather than of sin, where there is a deliberate and continual commitment to live in a manner that honours God in every aspect of life. I pray that I continue to bear a good testimony in places where God has placed me, such as at my workplace, that my words, actions, and thoughts would be pleasing and in accordance with God’s will. My life should never be a cause of offence or a stumbling block to others, but rather a consistent encouragement that points others towards Christ and reflects a godly character.
Living a prayerful and sanctified life by maintaining daily communion with God. Through prayer, I acknowledge that without God’s help and deliverance, I can do nothing of eternal value. Only through abiding in Christ daily can I have discernment to make wise choices amidst worldly influences, and remain guarded against the sins and temptations of this world.
Having “emergency verses” ready to resist sin (Psalm 119:11). The Word of God, highlighted in Ephesians 6:17 as “the sword of the spirit”, is a strong and powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. I pray that I will continue to walk closely with the Lord and meditate on His Word daily, allowing His truths to guide my responses to temptations in accordance with Scripture.
Rayson Tan
Praise the Lord for His abundant grace and continued blessing upon GYF in 2025, and especially for the recently concluded GYF Retreat. Thank God for a blessed time of sitting under His Word and considering a pertinent theme on: “Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin”.
Praise the Lord for enabling Pr Cornelius, as he divided God’s truths to us through the five theme messages, whereby we were reminded that temptation is no respecter of age or spiritual maturity. It comes not only to the young, but also to the mature believers. Both internal and external temptations confront God’s people daily, and therefore the call to “put on the whole armour of God” is our battle cry for all young and old alike to withstand the fiery darts and wiles of the devil. One hymn introduced during the retreat captured this truth succinctly:
“Resist the devil saith the Lord,
His strength to you he gives.
Resist, persist, until he flees,
The crown you shall receive.”
These words reminded us that our own strength never achieves victory over sin, but it is only by humbly relying on God’s power and persevering in obedience. We were also taught biblical ways to resist temptation through prayer, acknowledging our dependence on God; through watchfulness, spiritual vigilance in all our ways; and through yielding our members as instruments of righteousness, soberly reflecting on whom we are yielding to daily – God or sin?
Much praise to the Lord as well for a year of faithful spiritual feeding through Pastor and Pr Cornelius. The Book study on Judges – of the life of Gideon and Abimelech – warned us soberly about ungodly ambition, and reminded us that true success is found only in submission to God’s will. The series, “Old Stories, New Lessons”, by Pr Cornelius brought us back to foundational truths from Creation, the Fall, and Noah’s walk with God. We were reminded that faith means trusting God beyond experience, standing firm in a corrupt world, and persevering in obedience by grace.
Reflecting on all that the Lord has blessed us through the GYF, I’m also grateful for opportunities to serve, particularly in the auxiliary committee in assisting the youth committee. May He continue to help us to endure temptation and press on as strangers and pilgrims, journeying towards our heavenly home. All glory be unto the Lord.
Lim Cuiwen
I thank God for granting me the opportunity to attend this youth fellowship camp. The messages shared throughout the camp were especially impactful to me, and I truly felt that they came at the right time in my life.
Recently, I have been quite busy with both work and studies. In the midst of all these, the people and environments I am exposed to have made me more vulnerable to sin and temptation. I thank God for the spiritual advice and guidance that were given during the camp, especially in helping me reflect more deeply on the choices I make in my daily life, and whether they are in accordance with God’s will. I was reminded of the importance of being watchful and careful in guarding my testimony, and of how even a small action can impact those around me.
Through the messages at the camp, I was also led to reflect on my intentions behind my actions, and whether they are truly aligned with God’s will. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
Ruhamah Resuma
This year’s youth retreat has been one I’ve anticipated for a very long time. It’s truly been a time of blessing, learning about temptations and how to overcome them, so that I will not sin. The lessons were very enlightening.
I thank God also for all the hard work put into making this retreat smooth and memorable. I remember Pr Cornelius sharing three ways to help me not yield to temptation: firstly, prayer; secondly, watch and be alert in the evil times; and thirdly, do not yield our bodies to unrighteousness. Pr Cornelius also taught us that “temptation” (as a noun) means a time of testing, whereas “tempt” (as the verb form) means “seduce”.
I also can’t forget watching the documentary drama titled, “In Our Hands: Battle for Jerusalem”, and with Pastor’s help, we learned more about Israel both in Biblical times and the present. In addition, the games were unforgettable, and I personally had a lot of fun and hope everyone else did too! The workshop on “Why We Use The KJV” was also very helpful. I learned about five things that made the KJV the best translation: text, translators, technique, theology, and its view on the Trinity. Also, during meals, breaks, and free time, I was able to make new friendships and spend more time with friends. I pray that God will bless us all, and that the Spirit will remind us of the lessons we learned to help us in times of trial.
Nathan Resuma
I thank God for all the blessings I have received during this year’s GYF Retreat. Thank God for helping Pr Cornelius to preach on “Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin” in the theme messages, and for enabling Pastor to teach when he came on the second day. I thank God for enlightening me through the messages on how to fight against sin. I pray that God will help me to apply the lessons I have learned in my life to help me in my service for Him. Praise God for the committee members, adults, and resort staff who worked behind the scenes to make this retreat possible. I thank God for the workshops, especially the first one with the documentary, which has enlightened me from God’s Word on the land of Israel, and “Why We Use the King James Bible”. Last but not least, I thank God for the fellowship and new friends I have made during this retreat.