Youths Conquer Demons at Friendship Camp 2024 in Davao Oriental
Manay, Davao Oriental F-Camp 2024 Participants, Win Against Demons
(Derived from Pastor Prechell Jay C. Salmasan’s Facebook post)
In the Bible story in Mark 5:1-20, Jesus cast demons from a man living in a cemetery. The demons fled into a herd of pigs, which plunged off a cliff. A similar event happened during Friendship Camp 2024 at Secret Beach in San Ignacio, Manay, Davao Oriental.
It was a beautiful display of unity as youth from three districts—Caraga, Manay, and Tarragon (CaManTarr)—gathered at Secret Beach in San Ignacio, Manay, Davao Oriental. Their mission: to foster friendships, have fun, and strengthen their faith. The Tarragon District, led by Pastor Prechell Jay Salmasan, joined forces with the Manay District under Pastor Jefty Gil and the Caraga District shepherded by Pastor Constancio Parcon.
Despite a busy schedule, 141 campers convened near the beach, including 36 invited by Adventist friends or relatives. The initial days were filled with games, races, team-building activities, devotionals, plenary talks, prayer bands, and breakout sessions, bringing the campers smiles and laughter.
On Thursday, after participating in a saddle race and a Trust Walk, the campers were blindfolded and led to a worship hall for a commitment prayer. Some campers fainted and felt weak during this time, which led camp director Kurt Van Cabrera Punay and Pastor Salmasan to suspect the presence of evil forces despite initial disbelief among the brethren.
The situation escalated as campers who fainted began shouting in voices different from their own, displaying superhuman strength. A nine-year-old girl, held by ten adult men, shouted, “There is no God! You are not chosen! You are mine!”—contradicting the camp’s theme song, “CHOSEN.”
Believing in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” the pastors and church officers prayed, bringing temporary rest to the disturbed child. However, the disturbances continued, transferring from one camper to another, with voices demanding, “Stop praying!”
During a devotional and lecture session, one camper, in a moment of distress, ran towards a cliff but was caught by facilitators. Despite the struggle, someone shouted, ‘There is no God! You are not chosen! Stop praying!’ The campers, undeterred, continued to stand firm in their faith and resist the evil forces.
Another camper confided in seeing two images – one white and one black. When the black image corrupted her body, she fainted. However, the white image instructed her to gather everyone for prayer and singing.
At 4:00 AM on the Sabbath, a girl fainted and then shouted. Campers formed a circle, knelt, and prayed while singing a theme song. Suddenly, the angry voice turned into a trembling plea, “Help! I lost! You won! You are lucky to have been chosen!” The girl then returned to a peaceful state.
When the camp ended, one girl who had missed the prayer marathon was found trembling outside. Her companions hugged her, and another victory against the devil was achieved. This moment of triumph filled the campers with hope and reassurance.
The week ended with 22 baptisms, including the parents of a troubled young person. The fight against evil continues, as emphasized by Ellen G. White: “Those who are partakers of the divine nature will not give in to temptation… But those who have firmly planted their feet on the Rock of Ages will not succumb to his schemes.” (Messages to Young People, 81.1).
King David assures us in Psalms 91:1, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'”