Abounding in the Work of the Lord: A Transformative Encounter at Elim Family Camp.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58
With this theme verse as a foundation, Elimites gathered for a powerful four-day camp (December 2 -5, 2024) at Sunway Pyramid Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, where they encountered God in profound ways. Over the course of the camp, Rev Ong Sek Leang, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God churches in Malaysia, challenged the campers to confront their mindsets and attitudes, pushing them to go deeper in their relationship with God and to allow His power to shine through the church.
Wrestling with God
In his first sermon, Rev Ong asked the campers to reflect on their “glass ceilings”—invisible mental and emotional barriers that may not be sins, but still hinder spiritual growth. Both young and old were convicted to break these limitations and allow God to work more deeply in their lives. This marked the beginning of a journey of surrender, as the Lord exposed hidden areas that needed transformation.
Min Hui, a youth leader, shared her experience: “I came in feeling burdened and didn’t expect much, but God spoke to me so clearly during the first and second sessions about everything I’ve been questioning and struggling with. When Rev Ong said, ‘If we want to worship God, we need to worship as we are,’ it deeply resonated with me. I’ve been struggling with burnout, trying to make everything perfect in ministry, but those words reminded me that it’s not about perfection—it’s about being real with God.”
In one of the final sessions, a more senior minister, who had decades of ministry experience, encouraged everyone to journal what God had spoken to them. Even after many years of ministry, she felt there was still so much for her to unpack. This echoed the sentiment of many participants who were challenged and convicted by every word spoken during the sessions. For those feeling stagnant in their walk with God, the retreat helped to uncover what might have been weighing them down. Confronting these deeper issues is never easy, but necessary for spiritual endurance, as Hebrews 12 reminds us.
Over in the Chinese congregation, participants were very much challenged by the practical and relevant messages of Ps Christina Ng.
Generational Impact
In a powerful session, Rev Ong called congregants of a particular age bracket forward, encouraging them to recognize their responsibility in making decisions for the generations both older and younger than themselves. He then spoke prophetic words over individuals, urging them to walk confidently in their giftings and callings. Rev Ong also prophesied that God would raise up sons and daughters who would serve the church with passion and commitment.
In the final session, the congregation was split into two age groups: those under 55 and those over 55. The younger group was asked to lay hands on the older group and pray for them. Later on, the older group laid hands on the younger group, praying as if they were their children. It was a deeply moving moment, marked by tears, as the different generations spoke words of life to one another. This act of unity and mutual support contrasts sharply with the world’s tendency to pit generations against each other, reminding us that as the body of Christ, we are called to be a family that builds and supports one another. Through this prophetic act, Elim was reaffirmed as an intergenerational church.
The children’s ministry, led by Bro Darius Foo and his team, also experienced God’s move as they engaged in group challenges, learning about teamwork, worshiping God with enthusiasm, and discovering foundational spiritual truths, including the Four Spiritual Laws.
Experiencing the Glory of God
On the last night, Rev Ong distinguished between the anointing and the glory of God, using the story of the ark’s transportation in 1 Chronicles 13 as a reference. Even before the altar call, the atmosphere shifted as hearts were stirred and many began to weep and fall under the power of God. It was an unmistakable experience of His glory—one that was not triggered by music or emotions but by the raw presence of God. In that moment, I experienced just a fraction of what Isaiah must have felt when he encountered the holiness of God and declared himself unworthy. There was this profound realization that God is so much greater than we can ever comprehend and to be His is a privilege not to be lightly taken.
As people were receiving personal encounters from the Lord, Rev Ong prophesied that the manifestation of God’s glory would be restored to the church, filling our hearts with hope and renewed expectation. His move was also evident in the Chinese service where one of the elderly received salvation. Glory be to God!
Moving Forward in the Work of the Lord
“Prophetic ministry deals with underlying mindsets,” Rev Ong said, and this was evident throughout the retreat. Every sermon seemed to peel away layers of ungodly defenses, challenging each participant to draw nearer to God. The camp was a turning point for many, helping Elimites move beyond complacency to a deeper, more sincere relationship with God. It was a reminder that in these last days, we are called not to simply bask in the warmth of God’s presence but to allow His fire to purify and refine us.
As a church, we believe that this camp was divinely appointed to shift our direction and propel us toward the destiny God has prepared for us. It was a time of renewal, consecration, and a fresh commitment to the work of the Lord.
