As a teacher I am particularly interested in the long term impact of youth camps. I am always grateful for a strong response at invitations in the evening services, and we have had some pretty remarkable times of response this summer. Even more have I loved to meet and to hear later from students who have met Christ or in other way saw camp as a turning point in their lives.
But as a parent, nothing thrills me more than to hear the stories of parents from camp. With permission I am sharing two of many I have received this summer. To God be the glory for anything accomplished, for He alone changes lives.
From a Dad who came to camp:
“My 14 year old son has Aspbergers, which is a mild form of autism. He is like most Aspbergers kids in that he has to work very hard to make and keep friends. His making friends is such a big deal that he makes an announcement any time he makes a new friend. I know that one of his greatest fears in witnessing is that it may cost him friends.
This has been a rough summer for him, but it is ending very well. A week ago Monday night he got saved at our youth camp. God also began moving in his heart about witnessing to his friends.
When we got home on Thursday night he told me he really needed to witness to his friend Chris as soon as possible. He was quite nervous about it, but still kept checking his game system every 15 minutes to see if Chris was on line. On his third check I could hear him say camp was great and that he got saved on Monday night. After saying saved three or four times he began spelling it. He then told Chris to call him on the phone so he could better explain it to him. He shared with Chris on the phone for close to an hour and was able to lead him to Christ.
I do not know where X-box live fits into the Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria sequence, but it has become Andrew’s personal mission field. He has had the chance to share with two other friends through X-Box live since leading Chris to Christ.”
From a mom whose young son attended his first camp. I promised her he would do fine!
“My son was at the Epworth on the Sea camp. He was so
excited about going, and I wanted him to have a fire and a passion for Christ when he came back. I want to thank you for spending time with him. You had previously told him that you would have breakfast with him if he would remind you. Not only did you sit with him for breakfast, but when he walked up to you, you remembered him and your commitment to him. He was thrilled. I was so moved when he told me what happened.
I attended the homecoming night with him on Friday night and was encouraged and challenged in my own walk. I have a renewed desire to share Christ with others though it’s been a while since I really purposely did that.
Thank you again for pouring your time and wisdom into our children last week. I pray God’s continual blessings on you and your family.”
I am honored as a parent to be a little part of the vital work of parents in raising children to live boldly for Christ.
Proverbs 20:7
Alvin, I am convinced that many of our pulpits and mission fields are populated with those who made strategic decisions at camp. Thanks for the incredible investment you make in the lives of students all year long but particularly in the marathon of summer camps.