April Methodist News - Camberwell EMYF Junior and Adult (Melbourne)

Camberwell Methodist EMYF Adult Youth

WHAT? EMYF is a Methodist youth group aims “To Know Christ and Let Christ be Known” individually and among ourselves to become a youth force within our church, family and to our wider community for Christ. We also want to build up a united fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ. Our theme for 2012 is to be a Praying and Caring Fellowship.

HOW? We achieve this through bible studies, theme talks, games nights, prayer nights, youth camps and other fellowship events (sports, movies, Adam & Eve’s, special outings and others).

WHO? We are mainly university students and young professionals (around 18-28 years of age). The members of the EMYF are commonly known as the EMYFers. We have an 8-member working committee that plans the year’s programs and events and are overseen by our English Pastor and Advisors.

WHERE? We meet weekly at 7pm on Friday evenings in our church.

Testimonies & Sharing

“I joined Camberwell youth fellowship in 2007 when we migrated to Australia. My early fellowship experience in Melbourne was rather different to those I had in Malaysia. But the more I went, the more I got to befriend many like-minded youths with similar backgrounds and culture (FOOCHOWS FTW!). EMYF has also given me many opportunities in learning how to serve God. I learnt to serve God in small things like setting up chairs and cleaning up which slowly led up to bigger roles when I became part of the committee. Even though I was shy and lacked confidence, I simply put my trust in God. I found I was able to walk the talk and not just talk or listen to it. I was able to proactively put what we’ve learnt in bible studies and talks into actions in my life. Sure I made many mistakes, felt like a failure many times, discouraged and behaving most un-Christ-like. But God is merciful to me.  He has taught me to put Him above all things; to learn to trust, obey and submit to Him my studies, work, youth ministry and ultimately my whole being. I praise God for the opportunities to serve Him, for the challenges I face as I continue to grow as a disciple of Christ.”

Grace Liong (EMYF chairperson)

“The first time I went to youth group, when I was 12 years old kid back in Malaysia. Back then what I think of youth group is that it’s really fun place to hang out and catch up with friends but as I grow older, youth group has really brought me closer to God. Standing up this year as an Outreach/Witness Officer has really challenged my commitment towards God. However I believed that God will provide me a way to live for Him and serve Him. Nonetheless, youth group is really a good place for young people to learn more about God and it is also a fun place to meet lot of people and have fellowship.”

Terence Lau (EMYFer, 2^nd Year Uni)

“For my youth fellowship, what I enjoyed the most is when all brothers and sisters gather together to praise God and worship God. We also learn about God's words together through sharing and praying.
What I've learned all these years is that we should humble ourselves and pray and seek His face, turn away from wicked ways and God will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land.
I’ve learnt to always put God as first priority, learn to love others as myself and always forgive and not to hold grudge against others :)”

Jonathan Wang (EMYFer, 2^nd year uni)

“The Lord is gracious and good. I thank God for the opportunity and privilege to be part of another family outside of the one I'm born into. 

Youth Fellowship had played the biggest and most important part of my life journey in pursuing Christ. 

Through years of faithful accountability, genuine encouragements, loving discipline and rebukes, serving opportunities, the Youth Fellowship has undoubtedly shaped and formed me today.

In a time and generation where success lies in popularity; fun equals being drunk; smoking and swearing represent coolness; beauty and appearance determines self-value or worth. In times like this I can only find refuge in a group of youngsters that has grasped the meaning of commitment and discipline to meet weekly, and determined to be different from what the corrupted world demands of us. I shall never stop praising God for such wonderful blessing, neither shall I ever cease meeting in groups or fellowships, for I dread to imagine a day where I'll lose sight of Him and all that joy and peace that comes only from Him”

Michelle Ting (ex-EMYFer)

 (Games/icebreaker during outings)

Camberwell Methodist Church’s JMYF (Junior Methodist Youth Group) is a youth group for teenagers currently studying in high school. It is run on a weekly basis on Friday evenings and as a fellowship we learn together about Christ. Through our journey we make new friends from different schools and support one another in times of need.  The program for JMYF is different each week. On some nights we have bible study. Other nights which we call ‘Bonding Night’ is where we invite friends who may not know Christ through our Buddy System.  JMYF is run by a working committee. The committee organises the programs for the year and outings such as sports or movies.Our spiritual leaders are our Church Pastor and the Junior Youth Advisor. The JMYF work very closely with the EMYF. We shared a common icebreaking and worship time together when we meet. We look upon the EMYF members as mentors – like big brothers/sisters. We are a family on a journey experiencing and learning about Christ, our Saviour and King.

“When I first came to JMYF, I was warmly welcomed by the members. It gave me a great feeling. Everyone was so happy and so friendly. It was so much fun in JMYF; the activities, the friendship, the bonding, everyone is around the same age as you as well so they understand you more. It’s great! Being in JMYF has been wonderful. I made new friends and have a great fellowship. JMYF has also helped me with my journey with God. It taught me how to cope with situations and feelings, how to make the right choices and decisions, how I can help other people who are struggling in life and also how to become more Christ-like.”   

                                                                                                                                  Oscar Ling (Year 8)

“Youth is a great place to meet new people and spend time growing closer to God. No matter how far off or in depth your journey is with God, you will find that within your journey with God you are not alone. No matter how difficult it may be just know that through struggle comes strength. Coming to youth once a week and spending time away from everything, can take your mind off issues. I personally have never attended any form of youth before and hence being able to learn about God together in a group has taught me that learning isn’t always a drag. During the past months, I have learnt a lot of Christian knowledge which I can apply to my everyday life as well as how I should live my life with Christian values.” 

                                                                                                                             Michelle Lau (Year 11)

“The first time I went to JMYF was in 2006 when I was in grade 5. My brother had been attending EMYF, I was invited by the JMYF Advisor at that time. Being only 11 I was naturally nervous when I first entered the room, but I was quickly introduced to the other members and was warmly welcomed. It was a special night called Friends’Night where we played a lot of games. I was put into a team where I found my first friend. He was very friendly and guided me around the church as we were playing theTreasure Hunt game, moving from room to room. During that fun night, I was also swarmed with the single question of “Are you Danny’s brother?” I had decided to go the next week and then the next. I am now in year 11 and still regularly attend the JMYF. JMYF has been a huge part of my life and has shaped my morals and values as a Christian.  The teachings from the Pastors and group discussions teaches me how to live in this world and how NOT to conform to its’ ways. It is relevant as during high school,there is a large amount of peer pressure to be “cool’ and accepted to be normal. I was able to learn so much from my Pastors, Advisor and mentors in the fellowship. It has certainly made me closer to God.”         

                                                                                              Michael Tong (Year 11, JMYF chairperson)