Written by Anna Tee
I have always been a quieter person by nature, and making conversation does not always come easily to me. Yet our recent church camp became a gentle and meaningful reminder of how sweet and precious it is when brethren come together, share their lives, and grow in Christ as one family.
At the previous church camp, most of my time was spent quietly serving behind the scenes with our Mandarin brethren and looking after the elderly. Serving has always been a joy and a privilege to me, because it allows me to care for others in a small but meaningful way. However, because of this role, I often had to miss out on the main activities and did not have as many opportunities to interact with brethren from the wider church family. This camp felt different, not because serving had become any less important to me, but because I was given the blessing of experiencing camp as a participant. I was thankful to be able to join in the games, take part in the activities, laugh with others, and spend more time with brethren whom I may not usually have the chance to know more deeply. It gave me a fresh appreciation of fellowship and helped me see that being part of the body of Christ can be experienced in many beautiful ways – sometimes through serving quietly, and sometimes through receiving, sharing, and simply being present with others.
One part that I especially appreciated was the reconnection game, where we were grouped first in fives, then threes, and finally in pairs. At first, it seemed like a simple activity, but as I took part in it, I realised how meaningful it truly was. It gave me the opportunity to slow down and listen to different brethren share a little of their life stories, experiences, and thoughts. Some of them are people we may see every week, yet because of our busy schedules or the usual routine of church life, we may not always speak with them beyond a simple greeting. Through just a few short minutes of conversation, I was reminded that every brother and sister has a story, a journey, and experiences that we may never know unless we take the time to ask and listen. This activity taught me that fellowship is not only about being together in the same place, but also about opening our hearts to know one another more deeply. It encouraged me to be more intentional in building relationships, to make time for meaningful conversations, and to care for those around me beyond the surface. In this way, the game became more than just an activity; it became a gentle lesson on love, connection, and growing together as one family in Christ.
Another moment that touched me deeply was seeing a young sister from another congregation taking the initiative to approach my mother-in-law and spend time chatting with her. Her thoughtfulness, patience, and gentle care for the elderly left a very warm impression on me. In today’s busy world, it is not always common to see young people so willing to slow down, notice the needs of older brethren, and make them feel included and valued. To me, this was a beautiful reflection of Christian love in action. Although I did not have much opportunity to engage with her during the previous camp, I was thankful that this camp allowed me to know her a little better. I remembered her as someone rather shy and quiet before, so seeing how she has grown, blossomed, and become more confident was truly encouraging. Her example reminded me that God is quietly working in each of us, helping us grow in love, build confidence, and care for one another. It was a real blessing to witness this, and I felt very thankful for her presence and her simple yet meaningful acts of love.
I was also very touched by the quiet care shown by a brother who made the effort to look out for another brother during the camp. He did not do anything loudly or for attention, but in simple and thoughtful ways, he checked that the brother was doing well, encouraged him to join in the activities, and made sure he was not left out. This left a good impression on me because it showed that care does not always need to be expressed through big actions. Sometimes, a small word of concern, a gentle reminder, or simply noticing whether someone is present and included can mean a lot. His example reminded me that true fellowship is also seen in the way we watch out for one another, especially those who may be quieter or need a little encouragement. It was another beautiful reminder that love among brethren is not only spoken about but lived out through thoughtful and consistent care.
Most of all, I was deeply encouraged to see everyone working together in such harmony. Members of all ages, both young and not so young, contributed in their own ways. Some coordinated, some served, some helped quietly behind the scenes, and others participated with joy. Each person’s part may have seemed small on its own, but together they formed something beautiful. It reminded me that the church is not built by one person alone, but by many hearts willing to love, serve, encourage, and grow together. Seeing this unity strengthened my heart and made me very thankful for the spiritual family God has blessed us with.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” -Psalm 133:1
This verse beautifully expresses what I experienced at camp. It was a blessing to see unity not only in the organised activities, but also in the simple moments of conversation, care, laughter, service, and encouragement. Through this camp, I was reminded that fellowship is a precious gift from God. It refreshes the heart, draws us closer to one another, and helps us appreciate the many different members He has placed in His church.