Camp, The Third

The older the kids become, the more difficult they can become. Or so I have caught myself thinking, and honestly believing.

Yes, teenagers are in an awkward stage of transition right now. All of them are trying to find their identities, amid a number of voices vying for their attention. I remember their battles, struggles, and frustrations, because I have been there. But yet again, I must remember, that was a number of years ago. And they are all reacting to different situations in various ways than I did. Some rebel. Some laugh. Some cuss. Some cry. Some shut down. Some scream. And yes, … it’s true, … thank goodness, … because … some listen.

After building trust and understanding with them, like the kids at the two earlier camps, these teenagers warmed up to me, along with the rest of our staff, and became receptive to listen.

For this Camp, I had the privilege of using my talents and abilities that God alone has blessed with me in the ministries of Music and Drama. I led Worship as a singer, assisted with various tasks during the Music Class, and demonstrated how God can visually speak through Acting.

Because of such songs as Casting Crowns’ “Praise You In This Storm” and Shane & Shane’s “Embracing Accusation,” such spiritual inspiration and assistance from Kara Laufenburger, and the much-needed recruitment of five willing and talented Camp staff members as actors, God spoke to these kids in powerful ways through the skits. But He did not limit His speaking there.

The Spirit’s free rein upon our campus finally was physically demonstrated when our Campers’ walls collapsed on Wednesday night during the Remnant Service. God moved so radically and powerfully within the lives of our Campers that over 80 percent of them either accepted Jesus Christ for the first time or they rededicated their lives to Him.

While you may never see these teenagers, please pray for them, that they remain obedient in following Jesus, no matter what they face. And while you may never meet these teenagers on this earth, I know they will appreciate your prayers and say thanks when you meet them in Paradise.

Their mountain-top experiences may already be over, because some have returned to broken homes, unsaved parents and siblings, and other unspeakable conflicts. So while you may not even know their names, God knows, and they are precious in His sight. Your prayers matter.

While I enjoyed being a Group Leader for kids, there is something special with helping prepare and perform Music and Drama for teenagers, who on their own, have chosen to follow Jesus and walk in His steps from now on.

The week was long, the prep work was exhausting, the issues were undesirable. But honestly, I would not have wanted to be anywhere else, doing anything else. I saw Jesus move, and that was worth it!

Joey :)