A dream factory that changes lives

After eight years of writing camps

From 1999 to 2006, nearly 600 people received training; since the eighth session, it has evolved from one type of camp (literary camp) and one class to four types of camps (literary, art, drama, financial management) and eight classes; Since then, teachers and students have published five special issues of the Literary Camp, four volumes of inspirational books on life, and even teamed up with Kingdom of God talents to launch the Kingdom of God Magazine. Since the eighth session, newspapers, magazines and online publications inside and outside the North American church have seen the emergence of a number of new authors with excellent content and writing skills; many church publications have gained editors and interviewers; many publishing houses have found excellent translators.

This is no longer a camp, but a team, a movement, and a protracted battle to recruit, train, and mobilize talents for the Kingdom of God.

Where does such life influence come from? The author interviewed teachers who have shared their lives and worked hard year after year, as well as students who have constantly updated and grown in camps and practical training and "returned to practice again" almost every year, and asked them to describe what this "life-changing dream factory" is like constructed, operated, produced.

Almost every student who has participated in the writing camp said that it is like a treasure mountain. What treasures are there?

At the end of 1998, about two years after taking over as the editor of Messenger Magazine, teacher Gao Lili came up with the idea of running a writing camp. On the one hand, it is because she wants to learn, and on the other hand, she needs a group of writers with vision and writing skills to share writing, interviewing and other tasks. When she shared this idea with Teacher Su Wen'an, thank God, Teacher Su agreed without hesitation, letting her know that God had confirmed this matter. In the summer of 1999, the Penn Literature Camp, which had been suspended for many years, was restarted.

Since 1999, Mr. Su has been a lecturer in the writing camp training and advanced classes. When Teacher Su talked about setting the tone for this camp together with Teacher Li, she hoped that this would be a camp where life, living, and ministry could complement each other, and where spiritual power, writing power, and creativity could be developed in a balanced manner. He said: "The characteristic of the writing camp is to establish each person's values and outlook on life, so as to have a new life, life, and service. What you learn in the camp is not only writing skills, but also a way of living. . Only when you can put what you have learned into your life can your literary service be long-lasting.”

The life inheritance of "Workers come before work"

From the very beginning, Teacher Su’s teachings focused on the life of a literate person and the life of a literate person. No high-profile, no profound theories. It starts from the pragmatic "Qi Mei Movement" and learns step by step.

Teacher Li Li not only agrees that this literature camp should start with shaping the "people" of literature, but also hopes to use this camp to convey the vision of the soul, and by participating in literature service, influence society and culture, build churches, and equip believers. Expand the Kingdom of God.

The words of student Mai Xiaoying can explain this. She said: "In the first year of the writing camp, I found the colored pens that I loved as a child. Since then, I have returned to the writing camp every year with the feeling of a migratory bird returning home. Under the care and guidance of my teachers, I took steps forward and climbed the mountain of "creation, editing, interviewing and translation" with my classmates. Although I often trekked through the mountains and ridges, my vision in the grid gradually opened up; in addition to having a clear blue sky, I also hand over my heart and pen to the dawn, letting the leaping thoughts reflect the gentle rainbow through the rain of grace, and send messages to the earth. Year after year, my old pen is filled with the teachings and discussions of water and milk. New ink."

▲The vision and enthusiasm for literary service gave birth to eight wonderful camps for the life development of literary people. The picture shows the "founding veterans" of the Pennsylvania Literary Camp that was relaunched in 1999.

Real writing exercises

Teacher Li Li also mentioned that another feature of the writing camp is that everyone who comes to participate must pick up a pen and practice with real weapons. It’s not just about listening to speeches and satisfying one’s romantic feelings about literature and art. Teacher Jiang Haiqiong, who came to help from 1999 to 2003, remembers that the first time she asked her to do homework on the spot, her classmates thought she was joking. Later, as the students got into trouble more and more every year, no one protested.

She said: "It is very important to practice writing on the spot. Although it is not easy to write a complete article in a short time, it can be used to discover that everyone has potential, as long as they are willing to put their heart into it. If you put it in, you will definitely gain something." Later, when editing classes, interviewing classes, and art camps were opened, the same principle was followed. In addition to teaching principles and techniques, there was also on-the-spot practice and on-the-spot analysis to ensure the students' satisfaction. Ability to unite knowledge and action.

▲Some of the "veteran" pen soldiers of the first Literary Camp in 1999 still return to work every year to review and recharge their batteries.

A sweet friendship that cherishes each other

"When you come to Literary Camp, you join this big family. We emphasize the establishment of long-term relationships. Because in order to become an effective literary writer, you must observe and learn from others and establish a beautiful relationship with God and people. ." Teacher Li Li said.

Just as student Chen Bingguang said: "When my spiritual life was severely damaged and I could no longer sing, my heart was moved by the friendship between teachers and students who shared the same fate and helped the weak; because everyone prayed with all their strength and begged the Heavenly Father. Rescue; when the storm sweeps away, another rainbow rises high on the road to service. Therefore, I know: God will never leave the door of my heart and lead me out of the darkness. , so that my life, which is like a dead tree, can once again be bathed in the spring rain and sweet rain."

In 1999, when the Pennsylvania Literary Camp was re-opened, there was only one class. By 2006, it had increased to four types of camps and a total of eight classes (see the attached table for details). In addition, students have come from nearby Pennsylvania to the central, western, southern United States, Canada, and even Taiwan. In 2006, in-depth classes were opened in Houston and training classes were held in Phoenix.

Initially, most of the students were originally from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Since 2001, the number of students from China has also increased. The age range of students also varies, ranging from teenagers to those in their eighties. The biggest difference from other camps is that once a high proportion of students participate, they return year after year, so the relationship between the students becomes deeper and deeper.

Teacher Li Li said that she was a blessed person. In the literature camp, all the teachers put their lives on the line and served with all their heart and soul. The co-workers did all the work silently. As long as she dared to speak, everyone would definitely help her to the end. Even many of her classmates have become her best colleagues and friends year by year, and she has almost no need to interfere with camp preparations and various affairs. One of her favorite scenes at the camp every year is the scene of old classmates embracing each other with joy and sympathy when they return. She hoped that everyone would become lifelong friends after coming to the literary camp. Proving the truth, Lili's dream has already come true.

Jia Hua said she was grateful to meet a group of pen soldiers who love the Lord and love others. Pursuing the heights of spirituality, knowledge, and writing with everyone, and becoming warriors in the battle for the kingdom of Christ, is really the most valuable thing in the second half of her life!

In addition to getting along in the camp and the friendship accumulated during the reunion at Lili's house on the first weekend of March every year, what is even more special is that every year after the camp, there are very challenging common goals. For example: from 1999 to 2004, the annual "Word Camp Special Issue", coupled with the publication of the "Life Tonic Series" since 2002, in addition, a group of teachers and students have joined forces with talents from the Kingdom of God from all over the world to work together. We invested in the Kingdom of God Resource Center founded in 2004 and the Kingdom of God Magazine in 2005 to go global and "explore the resources of the Kingdom of God and combine them for the main purpose". The process of these large-scale and large-scale collective creations closely connects everyone.

▲Special issue of Literary Camp.

Spiritual breakthrough and advancement

During the devotional time every morning in the camp, we saw the Holy Spirit moving among us, personally touching the hearts of the students. Those pains and regrets, or joys and gratitudes, all become the sparks aroused when we interact with each other in our lives, allowing our spiritual life to continuously improve.

The feelings of classmate Xu Yun are quite representative. Looking back on her journey, she was moved by God’s abundant grace, and she couldn’t help but want to share God’s power and love with others. she says:

"The Literary Camp gave me the correct enlightenment education in literary ministry, allowing me to break through many bottlenecks in my thoughts, life, and life. It allowed my heart to be completely open to God, to come to Him without fear, and to sing for Him , sing joyfully to Him. From the day I prayed to God: "I can't, but You can," I saw God leading me step by step and working on my own. It was God who anointed me and filled me with great love. Increase my mental and physical strength. He also allowed me to step into the online world and see thousands of souls in need, as well as the mission and responsibility of propaganda."

Bingguang said, "If it weren't for the call and guidance of Yunshang Love, I wouldn't have come to the writing camp; if it weren't for the deep gratitude I have for my teachers and classmates, I wouldn't be looking forward to the guests. The Shu fields in the state are covered with gold. Every year, I cross the mountains and ridges of California and fly eastward. Here, my life is changed and my life has a purpose. From then on, I know that "literary service" is the altar of my commitment and "gospel preparatory work" is my farming. "Witness the Faith" is my shining lampstand. The 94% of Chinese North American compatriots who have not believed in the Lord are the people to whom I strive to deliver the gospel; every self-analyzing work is my message of life; I am the recipient of the gospel. A new recruit in the ranks of word evangelists chosen by God.”

▲In 2003, teachers and students from the editing class at Shenzhen University gathered together for photos, and the number of boys increased dramatically.

Put faith into life

"Workers come before work, authors are more important than works, and sincerity is better than everything else." "Reading is valuable for experience, writing is valuable for new ideas, and life is valuable for flavor." These are the words that Teacher Su Wen'an often reminds students. He hopes that every student will also implement the "Qi Every Movement" in daily life, make good use of this effective tool, make it a pattern of life, and cultivate Christian humanistic qualities.

In addition, Teacher Su also encourages us not to give up movies, novels, popular literature, and mass media to the world and Satan easily. We must allocate time and energy to the vast gospel preparatory workshop, so that more people can be led into the kingdom of God through our service.

Teacher Hui Wan said: "Creation is a spiritual experience." She pointed out that creation is not just about writing and writing, but also a spiritual experience. Therefore, the creations we create throughout our lives must come from our inner calling. The leap of imagination required for creation is actually similar to the use of imagination in our faith to enter biblical stories or encounter God. She said: "Creation is also the expression of creativity and the creation of language. Creation is also an experience of faith. God reveals, God reveals, God leads, and God completes. All these spiritual experiences are This is my personal profound experience over the past ten years.”

She reminds us that if creation only stops at writing and playing with romance, or using all kinds of techniques to carve and pay attention to, this road will never go long. The spiritual path is different. It is a path in which I participate in God and God is in me. They complement each other and my life and works grow together. Therefore, she not only values the progress of students' works, but also requires students to hand in transcripts showing how they have accumulated spiritual experiences in their creations.

▲The teachers and students of the Chinese Literature Camp created a collective creation of gospel preparatory work—the soup series for life.

What is the reason that makes the teacher come back every year to teach everything he has? And what makes many students return year after year and never tire of learning?

sincere friendship

"Every time I come to the camp, the students are very humorous and cheerful, and there is laughter everywhere. Therefore, although our courses are intensive, we don't feel too tired." Teacher Su recalled with a smile.

He also has a special feeling: "Since graduating from college and reaching middle age, it has been difficult to make sincere friends, but at the camp, I became close friends with several classmates and co-workers. Seeing the classmates I have made breakthroughs step by step in my life, life, and service. Now I have made progress in many aspects. I feel that this is a very valuable service. Li Li’s preparation behind the scenes made the camp feel more like home. The response also made the camp more interesting. Since 2003, a prayer team has been praying for the camp so that everyone can experience God’s grace even more.”

It is these that allow him to serve in the camp, and he still enjoys it after eight terms.

The heart of a father and a mother

Teacher Hui Wan has been dedicating his life since he joined. She said that in 2002, the Literary Camp added a "Literary Cultivation and Creation Enhancement" class and began to plan for the long-term direction. This is completely consistent with the vision she wants to entrust. She felt that the students who participated in this class had already achieved a certain level of proficiency in writing due to Teacher Su’s rigorous training in the training class and the advanced class, and they also had a considerable degree of commitment to literary ministry. ” challenge and enthusiasm.

She mentioned that when she was doing homework in class, when she read the submitted works, she felt as if she had finally confirmed the DNA of each of her classmates. She especially felt like receiving adoption rights from teacher Su Wen'an. God has confirmed that we are "blood relatives". From then on, we help each other and share weal and woe.

▲Teachers and students of the writing and editing class and the art camp held simultaneously in 2005 gathered together for photos in the picturesque scenery of Maria Monastery.

life transformation

"Year after year, we do what God leads us to do. Through the changes and growth of the participants, God inspires us to continue and expand our courses." Teacher Li Li was immersed in memories. Over the past eight years, many scenes have appeared in her mind when she thought of the word camp. For example, a young brother who has now returned to mainland China shed tears and said after interviewing missionaries at a camp: "This experience probably only happens once in a lifetime." These words made her tremble before God. Jing. She prayed that God would give everyone a life-shaking experience in this camp. Another student said: "After I returned home, I kept writing until my hands cramped..." Such a narrative moved her. Many others, including herself, also transform each year.

After participating in the literature camp for the first time in 2000, student Zhuo Yijuan chose to practice the "Qi Every Movement" through translation. She said: "Without the encouragement, enlightenment and construction given to me by the Chinese Language Camp, I would not have embarked on the path of translation ministry!" Since then, she has reviewed the "Punctuation Marks" and "How to Translate" in the handouts every year. In 2002, she heard Teacher Su say again: "Where will your truck of water be poured?" This inspired her to focus on the translation of missionary books. She said: "The text camp emphasizes whole-person ministry and team spirit. It helped me get out of isolation and enter broadness. The biggest help to me from the text camp is, 'I must live well, live up to the intention of the Lord Jesus to save me, and glorify Him. name!""

▲The teachers and students of the Literary Camp have achieved great results in their national mission with live ammunition.

Cut each other off, influence each other

Student Han Jiahua said: "I heard a clear call from heaven in the writing camp, which changed the direction of my life. From then on, my mind no longer wanders and wastes time. In addition, the teaching materials of the writing camp are rich in quantity and quality, and there are many activities; although the teachers are not Even though they are older, they have been engaged in writing and teaching in Christian literature for many years. They use their incomparable rich experience, coupled with superb academic theory, analysis, emotion, and explanation, to teach students without reservation; they care for students and love them. He leads the way by example and supports students. I am attracted by this and come back to the Literary Camp every year.”

Student Mai Xiaoying looked back on the development of the eighth literary camp and felt that there were stories and lives in it; it presented various choices and made people reflect and be grateful. I saw that the lives of everyone who accepted the call at the camp were constantly being renewed; I also read the echo of their souls and the pulse of the times from their writing. And every person who writes piously has the light of his predecessors at his feet. These examples not only strengthened her belief, but also confirmed that she grew up in this cradle of life inheritance.

After eight years of hard work, the teachers were delighted to see the fruitful results. While gratified, they also shared their expectations for this camp.

▲Teacher Su Wen’an demonstrates the interview with an editor who came from a writing camp.

Teacher Su Wen’an: Passed down from generation to generation

Teacher Su said sincerely: "In the camp, I want to convey to the students not only knowledge and skills, but also spiritual revival. The camp time is short and there are many things to teach. How to break through physical strength , willpower and spiritual warfare become extremely difficult challenges every year.”

"However, thank the Lord that after eight years of training, a group of editing, interviewing and creative talents have been produced that can be used in real-life situations, which makes me feel very gratified. I hope that more new people will come to participate in the training class. Those who have participated in the training class We will continue to participate in advanced classes and special classes. Students who have participated in a series of camps can become co-workers and return to the literature camp to lead groups or serve new students. We also hope that the camp can be expanded no matter how big it is. We will always preserve the existing intimate and warm atmosphere to make everyone who attends happy and unforgettable.”

▲The unwritten happy rules of the literary camp are that even literary people must practice the "dumpling-making skill". While recharging the soul, everyone worked together to prepare a dumpling feast. While writing, they also enjoyed the exchange of love.

Teacher Chen Huiwan: You need to "write", but also "think"

Teacher Hui Wan believes that when you first start writing, although your writing skills are low, your vision must be high. The so-called "high vision" means that the vision and knowledge of literature and culture should be high and broad. Therefore, she will continue to introduce her understanding of faith and writing that she has been exposed to and thought about in recent years to her classmates. The courses offered will also focus on both "thinking" and "writing".

But according to experience, the more a student thinks about and struggles with it, the more she can "get into the situation" with what she shares. In other words, when it comes to learning, she hopes students can actively participate (active learning) rather than passively accepting (passive accepting). Therefore, students who are willing to commit and are willing to pursue the topics discussed will definitely benefit the most. She feels lucky that the students in the "Literary Ministry Spiritual Training and Creation Advanced Class" have very good standards, and she hopes to pass on this good atmosphere to the younger students below.

▲The art camp students’ achievements were exhibited at the exhibition. Teachers and students from the advanced writing and editing class were invited to watch, and they were amazed and amazed.

Teacher Gao Lili: Expanding the Boundary into the Kingdom of God

Teacher Li is most excited about this topic. Because after a few years, I got to know many people and found that everyone has unique gifts and talents. She was always thinking about how all these gifts and talents could be used to expand the Kingdom of God. She believes that God gives everyone different gifts for a purpose, and she hopes to expand this camp to include music, art, drama, and even a broader camp. We also hope that this camp will become the most powerful place to discover and cultivate talents for the Kingdom of God and develop various ministries.

▲In 2005, the teacher lineup of the workshop was at its peak; the picture shows all the teachers and students of the workshop taking a group photo on the green hillside. Front row, second from left, Vice President Chen Jingzhi, Teacher Shen Guanglan, President Tian'en Ding Yuanping, Teacher Su Wen'an, right together, teachers Huang Ruiyi and Gao Lili; middle row, fourth from right: Teacher Chen Huiwan.

Hold on to the original vision

Starting in 2004, because the Messenger Farm was no longer available, the camp location was moved to the Maria Monastery on the outskirts of Allen, Pennsylvania. The quiet hilltop and quiet manor made it easier for students to climb high and see far away, and their spiritual thoughts welled up.

▲In 2005, KRC cooperated with Xiaoston West China Church to hold an in-depth writing and interview class in Houston. A training course was held in 2004, and most pastoral staff, couples and church staff participated.

Since 2005, in addition to the original literature camp classes, a new "art camp" has been opened. For the first time, it has cooperated with a caring church to open training classes in Houston, Texas. In 2006, "Financial Management Camp" and "Drama Camp" were opened. In February, training courses were launched in Phoenix, Arizona, and in-depth classes were held in Houston, Texas. At the same time, we are also planning to open classes in Northern California and Asia. Faced with the ever-expanding landscape, Pu Pu’s teachers who travel around the world still adhere to the original core concept of “workers come before work” and regard the inheritance of life as their top priority.

Yes, people who adhere to principles are respectable. I still remember the movie "Chariots of Fire" starring Eric. Lidale's words: "I feel the joy of God when I run." "I serve greater than kings." Let us do what we should do so that what we do has eternal value. Let us all know His will, seize the limited time in our lives, and work tirelessly to discover, utilize, integrate, and multiply the resources of the Kingdom of God. I would like to share this article with every participant who has shed sweat and tears in this camp. We also hope that the thoughtful readers will join this big fellowship and team as soon as possible and work together for the Kingdom of God!

Author profile

Jian Hailan, from Taiwan, settled in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has enjoyed reading and writing since childhood. Currently serves in the Literary Department of the Association of Christian Messengers. From the first year of the Literary Camp to the present eight years, I have participated and learned in every session. Articles are published in spiritual books and periodicals such as "Messenger Magazine" and the North American World Journal supplement.