Since I grew up in a Jewish home, I have never experienced Christian Camp. That changed a few weeks ago because I was invited to serve as the Youth Pastor for a week at Camp Living Waters in Danforth, Maine. What an outstanding and amazing week God provided!
Here’s some things I didn’t realize about camp:
- There are A LOT of kids who go to Christian camp who are not from Christian families.
- There are A LOT of kids who go who do not go to church.
- It is a SUPERB mission field!!!
There were about 100 kids at camp that week, aged between 7 through 12. And there were a large number of counselors too, who were all in their late teens. I found out later that about 25 of the kids were on free scholarships reserved for kids who do not have a church background. So at least a quarter of the kids were new to the gospel!!!
I got to preach twice per day. In the morning I did a series on the final week of Jesus. In the evening I did a series on Creation. In the evening I also did a gospel illusion to enforce the message. Both series and the object lessons are designed to drive home why we need to be saved, and then how we become forgiven and made a new creation. The kids heard “Turn and Trust” quite a few times.
I was completely overwhelmed with the sheer number of kids who came to me to tell me that they repented of their sins and trusted Christ! At least 20 kids told me that, and a number of counselors told me that “5 girls in my bunk received Jesus last night” or “4 in my bunk.” One counselor told me that the counselors were talking and they admitted to each other that they were challenged to examine their Christian walk. I can’t praise Jesus enough! I was and remain overwhelmed!
I wish I could bottle all the kids up and bring them all home! They were so so sweet. What a privilege to lead a child to the Savior. What an outstanding week!!!
An additional blessing was that my kids got to attend this amazing camp for the week, which was such a nice gift from God to them. They got to swim and ride horses and play games and ride on a zip line and experience the magnificent beauty of the camp. That week was very special to my family.
Here are photos. Please click on them to enlarge and see a description.
Please pray for the children, that they will walk strong in their faith, and if they are not yet saved, that they will listen to the Word given to them and that they will turn from their sins and trust in Jesus Christ soon!!!
All for Jesus,
Mark (and family)
P.S. Video and descriptions of the messages and gospel magic tricks can be viewed below:
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