The Character Training Camps follow our Prayer Conference and Gospel Outreach, and they are intended to complement all that has preceded them. The meetings last for three days and are divided into male and female groups; all pastors and new converts are encouraged to attend. The word camp is a bit of a misnomer, because the meetings are all held in halls or auditoria.

The vision of the camp is to create a good biblical foundation, especially for the new believers, to provide basic discipleship training and, whenever possible, each pastor will be given a solar powered mp3 player, from which they can listen to the word of God in their own language. These “Mega Voice” units, costing $30 each, play a key part in spreading the gospel to the interior and remote areas of Papua and Indonesia.

The first day of the Timika character training camp started off for the ladies with a Genesis-based foundation of their own identity and values before God, together with their purpose and vision. It was absolutely fantastic to see the theme of victorious living in Christ being explained to, and enjoyed by, these ladies.

Meanwhile, the men, in a separate area, had a different theme for their first day. It was a time of envisioning, of defining purpose and roles, but also a day of opening up to one another, listening, talking, forgiving, and simply blessing one another.

For both parties, these are not merely ‘sit down and pay attention’ meetings, they are totally participatory, one-on-one, or group activities, with everyone being able to derive benefit and confidence based on the topic taught. Growth is the key-word that many go away with.

We do not boast when we say that we rejoiced to see this third part of the outreach in place in Timika; we give God all the glory for it, for we know by the smiles and attitude of the delegates that they have been so encouraged in their respective walks with the Lord.