Love: More than a Word – Big Camp 2025
Naomi Janmaat
Published
Across the weekend of April 17-21, 2025, Elmore Events Centre saw thousands of Victorian Adventists set up camp for the Easter weekend, eager to explore the idea of love being more than just a word.
Check out how each division demonstrated love in action with these recaps...
Encounter | Tarnya Garner
This year, the theme 'Love: More than a Word' emphasised the profound significance of what Jesus has done for us. We were called to actively share His love with others by encountering Jesus personally and remaining faithful to Scripture.
Over the weekend, the Encounter Pavilion was blessed with a message of what it means to love and be loved. Attendees received a blend of practical tools from Prof. Allan Walshe and thought-provoking theological insights from Pr Clifford Goldstein. It was a memorable experience that gave us tangible advice on forming and maintaining our connection with God and others.
A key highlight was Pr Clifford Goldstein's testimony. It rang out with humour, vulnerability, and inspiration, drawing listeners in with its authenticity and encouraging many in their faith journeys. His words stirred hearts, reminding all present of the transformative power of grace and the enduring relevance of Scripture in everyday life.
Additionally, each morning, families and little ones came together in a gentle rhythm of worship, simple yet rich with wonder. Stories from Scripture wove through the air, and joyful music stirred children's hearts, drawing them in as parents watched with grateful eyes and hearts full of delight.
Thank you to the team who made this weekend possible. The Encounter Pavilion was united in spirit with a fantastic team of pastors dedicated to serving the people, whether it was backstage planning or a joyful smile at the entrance. It was a community-focused space with an incredible host who welcomed all with open arms.
Moreover, the worship team facilitated the congregation's singing to rise like a tide of heartfelt praise, filling the room with a holy warmth and lifting every soul in reverent worship to God.
The atmosphere was filled with awe-inspiring special items and moments that allowed families to unite while glorifying God.
Connections | Sarah Nicholas
The message we all received in the Connections Tent was simple yet deeply profound: 'Love Well.' However, as Pr Shawn Brace reminded us:
"We can only love well to the degree that we first understand we are loved well."
That truth set the tone for a weekend that was anything but ordinary; it was a roller-coaster of reflection, conviction, and transformation.
One of the most powerful moments came when we were invited to imagine our own tables and ask who was missing from them. Who have we overlooked? Who have we avoided? And more importantly, who is Jesus asking us to invite in? Throughout the weekend, we didn't just talk about love—we were challenged to live it.
These transformative moments would not have been possible without the many hands and hearts who made the Connections Tent what it was. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated pastoral team; the incredible Praise and Worship team led by Dr Mau and Rachel; our workshop host, Nathan Brown, who prompted reflections from both us and our speaker; and our platform leaders, Haylee Fairall and Zion Meleisea, who hosted us with warmth and grace. Thank you to our tireless tech team, our incredible café crew, and everyone who contributed to this space.
Last but certainly not least, to our inspiring, God-fearing speaker, Pr Shawn Brace, thank you for reminding us of the kind of love that changes everything.
May we go forward not just inspired but committed to love well.
Youth 18+ | Darcy Holman
The Victorian Conference returned to Elmore for the annual Easter Big Camp. This year, the theme was 'Love: More than a Word'. The Youth division examined the theme 'Love More' with guest speaker Pr Jonathan Osorio.
Across the weekend, the youth tent explored the theme through inspiring messages and practical applications. Notable moments include time dedicated to a community service project—helping maintain sugar glider houses at Strathallan Family Landcare—and exploring the power of mindfulness through the lens of creativity.
Youth band leader Ryan reflected, "Being able to be a part of the Youth Tent this year was an amazing experience. The messages from Pr Oso continue to inspire me to seek out ways to 'Love More' in my daily life. In particular, he said, 'God doesn't look for perfection but with him a connection,' which has inspired me to connect with God daily, even if I can't bring him a 'perfect' offering".
High School | Jayden Croft
In the High School division, our theme was 'Surrounded', and we focused on the idea that God is always there for us, even when we can't see Him. Our guest speaker, Pr Jack Ryder, explored the theme through his testimony.
Through his personal experience, we saw that God is always there for us. Even when times seem rough and we can't see a way out, we can know that God's presence and power surround us.
Our activities across the weekend were also built around the theme, such as a Bible-themed game of 'Hunted' and some inflatable indoor activities that inspired perseverance and teamwork in the face of adversity.
Thanks to a weekend of encouraging messages and energising physical challenges, we learned that even when life is tough, we can rely on and trust in God because He's always there for us, even when we can't see it!
We praise God for the more than 80 decisions made for Jesus and almost 50 decisions to get baptised.
Juniors | Rahel Gungadoo
This year at Big Camp, the Juniors were called to 'LEVEL UP' in their relationship with Jesus.
Pr Gabby Shaw travelled all the way from Queensland to share how we can grow our faith and connect with God. Those who came to our night programs enjoyed a captivating drama put together by Pr Joshua Contaoi, and powerful worship led by the Mernda Hills Christian College team.
Throughout the weekend, Juniors engaged in a wide variety of fun activities. From building catapults in craft to our scavenger hunts and round-robin games, there was something for everyone. But the real stand-out for many of our Juniors was the friendships that were made and strengthened.
On Sunday morning, Juniors came together for our annual ADRA Car Wash, successfully raising over $1300 for the cause, beating last year's record! We were all grateful to the many campers who participated and those who gave generously to support our service project.
Amidst all the fun and joy we experienced at camp, the highlight had to be Sunday night, when 67 of our Juniors made decisions for Christ. Among them, 49 Juniors decided to 'LEVEL UP' through Bible studies, and 46 expressed a desire to be baptised.
We are so grateful to all our campers for making this weekend such a memorable experience. We hope that the memories and commitments made will continue to shape our Juniors' journey with Jesus. We can't wait to see you all next year!
Children's Division | Pr Uili Mauga
Big Camp 2025 was bursting with life and energy, especially in our vibrant kids' divisions! Glorious days and star-filled nights created the perfect backdrop for fun, connection, and awe at God's creation. Each division brought its theme to life through creative, hands-on activities that kids absolutely loved. Most importantly, our dedicated teams bathed every moment in prayer, lifting each child to the One who loves them most.
Upper Primary embarked on an exciting adventure through 'The Great Jungle', exploring God's incredible animal creations. Pr Josh Stadnik shared dynamic, engaging messages and actively joined in the fun with the kids. The program featured kids helping lead praise and worship, while staff facilitated a variety of themed activity stations that made each rotation both fun and unforgettable.
Lower Primary kids joined the 'International Spy Academy' and became agents of the one true God. They scaled the walls of Jericho, climbed Mt Sinai, listened in on Jesus and Nicodemus, witnessed the burning bush, learnt to spot counterfeits, and enthusiastically sang songs to Jesus, the one true God!
The Kinders division launched into an exciting space-themed journey called 'Blast-off with Jesus!'. Pr Adrian and Emma—dressed as astronauts—set the tone for a fun-filled program. At the same time, Pastor Lagi brought the story of Jesus to life. With a fantastic team, the space was buzzing with energy, joy, and laughter. And yes—the balloons and rockets were a massive hit with the kids!
Beginners shared the theme 'King and Kingdom', focusing on Jesus as our King and Friend, making us kings and queens too! A highlight was when, after Leo the Lion hugged the Jesus puppet, a child spontaneously hugged Jesus, followed by several others. In that moment, Jesus' friendship touched their hearts.
This year, we introduced a fresh approach to our family concert. Three of our divisions confidently took the stage, lifting their voices in praise with songs they had learned during camp. The Encounter shed was packed to the brim with excited families who came to cheer on their children, and they were not disappointed. It was a heart-warming celebration of worship, community, and joy.
A huge thank you to our four age-group divisions, each led by dedicated pastors and supported by an incredible team of helpers and volunteers. Your commitment, energy, and love made a lasting impact, helping our kids catch a clearer glimpse of who God is. We're already looking forward to what God has in store for Big Camp 2026!
The divisions of this camp demonstrated their love through their preparation, perseverance, and passion for providing an experience that would encourage and connect with others, no matter where they are in life—an apt reflection of this year's theme. Still, what is more fitting is how they have paid homage to the greatest act of love in history: God's Sacrifice.
God loved us so deeply that He prepared a plan for our salvation, and persevered through the pain and suffering of Earth, because He was passionate about guaranteeing a way for us to be together again.
Through Jesus' death, God provided an experience we can connect with wherever we are on our spiritual journey and encourages us to draw near to Him daily.
As we count down the days until the next camp, we hope you have been comforted and challenged by God's unconditional love and that you, too, are inspired to show love to others in a way that surpasses words.
