CHAMP Congress 2026 empowers student leaders through faith
CHAMP Congress 2026 empowers student leaders through faith
| Sophia Delos Trinos
To inspire leadership and empower student leaders, Jesus Christ Saves Global Outreach’s (JCSGO) youth ministry, 10:30 CHAMP, hosted its CHAMP Congress 2026 on May 29 at the JCSGO Seed Dome.
It was what each student leader needed. It focused on restoration and endurance as a student and a leader. Each speaker showed themselves in the shoes of the student leaders, in their places of exhaustion.
The congress welcomed participants from various schools within the region.
The first plenary session featured Pastor Joshua Sebastian, under the topic of “Unmoved Faith, Standing Firm Despite Challenges,” sharing his personal journey of perseverance, how even when he was knocked down, he still got up.
Pastor Sebastian’s words moved student leaders, bringing many to tears as they felt their unspoken struggles and battles were finally acknowledged.
Momentum continued in the second plenary, as Pastor Weng Alejo delivered her topic, “Igniting the Fire, Rekindling Passion For God,” that beyond tireless duties and exhausting motions of leadership, God doesn’t want a checklist; He desires their hearts.
“Even when you want to give up— don’t— you should restart the fire, to move forward and beyond,” she expressed, which resonated with students feeling burnt out, that it’s still possible to rebuild even when it feels like there’s nothing.
Selected individuals were then given the stage to share their powerful testimonies of perseverance, of unwavering faith, even in the midst of trials, which helped the audience know they share similar struggles as they do, and have once lived the shoes they are now in.
Afterwards, Pastor Mao Custodio led the third plenary, “Unstoppable Fire, Living A Spirit-Empowered and Mission-Driven Life.” He reminded the audience that a life of stinginess only brings scarcity, whereas a generous heart unlocks divine abundance and reaps blessings.
Moreover, the student leaders were then separated into three groups: Evangelism, Heart of a Worshipper, and Media Ministry, allowing them to process their unique struggles with peers who also understood their burdens.
“The Champ Congress 2026 was really beneficial for me personally. It helped me realize the actual values and benefits of evangelism,” said Enzo Jacob Baysa, a JCA delegate.
JCA’s Supreme Student Government (SSG) President Summer Bautista also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to attend the congress and develop her personal faith.
“It was very helpful to further strengthen my faith not just as a student leader but also in my personal walk with Christ. I believe that the best benefit of the congress was being able to understand how to establish your faith, not alone, but together with the people around you.”
Meanwhile, Jean Karl Dawal, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) President, stated that the CHAMP congress also further strengthened his spiritual relationship with God.
“Not only that, but also gave me a chance to expand my connections with fellow attendees. Overall, it was a great experience that led to many people hearing and seeing the light of Jesus together.”
The event concluded with a performance by the worship team and dance team, which began in tears and ended with fellow student leaders dancing in front.