6-4-17 Church Camp = Unplugged; but awesome Social Networks!

Scripture:  Ephesians 3:16-20 MSG

          Who would love a chance to spend some quality time with Jesus? Who would like to speak directly with Jesus and hear him speak to you?

Church helps us do that. Reading the Bible helps us do that. Prayer helps us do that. Spending time with other Christians helps us do that. I don’t know any experience in life that does all of that and more than when a person goes to church camp. It allows a young person to unplug. Yes unplug form electronics but I mean unplug from the pressures, anxietites and struggles of simply growing up. To take a few days for children to almost a week for youth and let the cares of home, work or school take a back seat and as the song says, Let Jesus take the wheel while you ride shotgun with Jesus.

American Baptist Churches in Ohio have a long history of making sure a church camp – get close to Jesus – experience is available for our young people.

FROM…Tar Hollow…TO Kirkwood, Judson Hills and Koinonia…

…NOW Koinonia and Kirkwood/Matthew 25 Ministries.

          Jesus had his own church camp experiences to get closer to God; His Father…

Age 12 in the temple discussing the bible and things about God.

Jesus would go to a solitary place to pray and get close to God the Father.

Jesus was always spending time with his 12 disciples to mentor them.

Church camps have great Christian mentors, teachers and role models.

          I encourage Ashland adults, to consider becoming a camp counselor. You will receive training and become part of a team. You don’t have to know the Bible inside and out, however, your bible knowledge will grow as you are a part of a camp team leading people younger than you. 1 Cor 11:1  Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Church camp will have campers from all walks of life. Kids from the suburbs and kids in high poverty areas go to church camp. Kids into sports and kids into music go to church camp.

          Students learn the bible at camp like with no other experience they will ever have unless they go to seminary – which is where preachers go to learn. Think about how good Vacation Bible School is where kids spend a few hours a day for 5 days focusing on God – imagine that for 6 days 24 hours a day / Here is why we want our children and youth to become passionate about reading and learning the bible: Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Colossians 3:16 says: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”

Let’s here from some of those who have been campers, counselors, parents, camp pastors and camp directors.

Testimonies:

Gretchen – came to faith at bible missions conference

Dave & Nancy Harris – Camping & their children counseling

Gary – Love for the bible at camp

Joanne Scobie – Counseling and that daughter met husband at camp 50 years ago.

Nathan – Camper and Camp Pastor/Director and Prayer…connect to Jesus at camp.

Ephesians 3:16-20 MSG says exactly what we pray and believe can happen for campers and those who serve at camp:  I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit — not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength — that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.