ARME Bible Camp Commanders make a landing on the North Shore of Oahu...

…The Result was Revival and Reformation for the local Soldiers!

“Every man and woman who has enlisted in Christ’s army is a soldier…” Christian Service, p. 35

“How many of you came for a spiritual retreat?” Calvin Kim, ARME’s Vice President of Operations, asked on ARME’s opening night at Camp Mokule’ia. Many raised their hands. “Well you might be at the wrong place then! We are in God’s army and we are at war. We can’t take time for a retreat, but we are here to advance.” Many chuckled as they nodded their heads in agreement. And that’s just what ARME sought to do during the following Nov 2-6 camp that ministered to all age groups.

ARME, which stands for “Adventist Revival Movement for the Endtime,” was founded to give God’s people a renewed passion and love for the Word and for Prayer. Each morning at Camp Mokule’ia, the program began with about 45 minutes of united prayer as people joined together in praising God, humbling their hearts, and pleading for the Holy Spirit. Then, after a powerful devotional on the power of prayer, attendees headed for a scrumptious breakfast in the dining hall. After breakfast, the main Bible study Workshop began, hosted by Pastor Myers, the founder and president of ARME. During this time Myers led the group step by step in basic principles of Bible study, and showed them how to see Christ throughout the stories of scripture. At different points during the morning, they divided up for small group study, and then the attendees came back together to share what they had learned. There was much excitement and enthusiasm, by both the adults and youth, as they began to see the greater depth that is possible in Bible study, and many were competing for the microphone to share what they had learned.

 At the same time, ARME’s Heir Force Children’s program was underway, arming the younger soldiers with similar weapons for war – a love for the Word, for prayer, and principles in godly discipleship.

 While the adults continued on with Bible Study training in the afternoon, the youth and teens had their own special program. Then everyone joined together for the evening service of inspiration and worship. This was the general pattern followed throughout the four-day camp.

A unique part of ARME Hawaii was the all-encompassing spirit of prayer. Not only did they start the day with prayer, but they had a prayer meeting going all day long. During this prayer meeting, people joined together throughout the 4 days praying for the Bible study trainers which included: Myers, Taj Pacleb & Kaela Thompson (both native evangelist to the islands) as well as for speakers Martin Kim and Doug Batchelor. They also prayed unitedly for the salvation of struggling loved ones, and for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and for revival.

 Friday night, over 200 people took part in a all-night prayer meeting. Over the night, there was group prayer as well as time for individual prayer. The men and woman also divided several times, and there was time for specific intercession for individuals that were heavily burdened. Around 1am, Myers led a powerful Bible study, and then prayers of worship and praise continued. Many answered prayers were experienced during this time of united prayer; answers that included deliverance from addictions, from bitterness, from estrangement with loved ones, and most importantly, answers that included a renewed passion and love for God and for His Word. While many got no sleep that night, they reported the next day feeling a renewed energy and physical strength – something that was obviously a miracle from God.

One attendee, a backslidden SDA, who came just because one of his friends was a volunteer, told the ARME staff, “I have never experienced something like ARME in my whole life! This camp has renewed my faith in the Adventist church and my love for the Adventist message!”

Another young mother, Teri Salvador, who’d been looking forward to ARME being in Hawaii for months wrote, “It’s a huge commute for us as we’ll be driving from the south side of the Island, but we would swim there if we had to, just to get to be there.” Later, very impacted, she talked to the ARME staff: “How can I volunteer and be part of this ministry? I’ll do anything…”

Conference President Ralph Watts, who attended with his wife on Sabbath, later stated, “ARME is probably the closest thing Hawaii islander’s have seen to a real old-fashion camp meeting for many years! The tent was full on Sabbath, and many have shared with me how much they learned and experienced.” The ARME staff had prepared for about 300 attendees, but by the weekend there were between 500-600 present. Many churches on the island closed their services so that their congregations could attend ARME. The place was packed, and everyone was praising God for His blessing!   

One of the highlights of the packed weekend, which contained many powerful messages, was ARME’s authentic mock trial, where the soldiers-in-training had opportunity to practice defending their faith from the Bible. In the Great Controversy, God’s people are told that in the future they will have to stand on the Bible alone, so ARME focused throughout the camp on making this practical and real. The mock trial hit home to many as they realized how unprepared they really were.

Sabbath ended with good old “ARME Family Time,” as they called it; a time for testimonies and sharing. The Heir Force shared what they’d learned during the week, and many people came forward with tears in their eyes, sharing how ARME had changed their lives.

Sunday morning, after more prayer and a powerful consecration service, Pastor Eric Alindogan, from the sponsoring Waianae church, closed the service by asking the Elders to circle the ARME team and pray over them. Then, with gusto, everyone sang, “Jesus is Coming Soon,” ARME’s theme song, one more time.  There was hardly a dry eye.

It was time for the ARME soldiers to separate and head for their various posts of duty. However, equipped with new tools for Bible study and empowered by the Holy Spirit through much prayer, everyone said goodbye knowing that they will be together again soon – if not in Hawaii, in the Heavenly General’s paradise above.

The parting command: “Forward soldiers, march forward on your knees!”

[Author's endnotes: And so ended ARME Bible Camp 7! For pictures visit this link: ARME HAWAII PICS. Portions of this "news style article" will be featured in the upcoming Pacific Union Recorder, so if you read this again, don't be surprised! ;-) ARME Bible Camp number 8 is coming up in January 2012, so get registered if you want to come, or visit: www.armebiblecamp.com for more details!]