God Is at Work Through Heartland Camping Ministry
The Camping Ministry of the Heartland Annual Conference has seen the hand of God at work in powerful ways this summer. More than 200 children and youth participated in six different camps across the conference, creating opportunities for worship, discipleship, friendship, and life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ.
Throughout the summer, we have heard encouraging stories of young people responding to God’s grace. Several students gave their lives to Christ, while others are continuing to seek, pray, and better understand God’s call on their lives. These are more than attendance numbers—they represent young people who are discovering that Jesus loves them, that they have a place in the Church, and that God has a purpose for their lives.
Our six camping experiences included the Western Kansas Camp, Camp NEXT, Camp Pathway, Life Camp, Sprouts, and Growing & Going. Each camp was designed for a particular age group, but all shared the same purpose: helping children and youth encounter Christ and grow as His disciples.
Western Kansas Camp was held at Camp Lakeside near Scott City, Kansas. The theme was “Created to Worship,” based on Psalm 100:2. The camp for middle school students, had 17 campers and 8 adult leaders. Through canoeing, hiking, swimming, and group activities, the campers were able to make new friends and experience God through small group activities and worship. The campers were as excited at the end of the week as they were at the beginning of camp! We praise God for our adult volunteers who demonstrated their love for Jesus to the campers.
In June, Sprouts Camp, for 1st and 2nd graders focused on the story of the prodigal son and had about 20 campers and 15 leaders. Growing and Going Camp focused on the fruit of the Spirit and had 40 campers and 20 leaders. A wonderful time of Spirit filled learning and fun. Both of these camps were held at Camp Egan, near Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Camp NEXT, for Junior and senior high students, was held at Canyon Camp near Hinton Oklahoma. They welcomed 126 campers, with 39 Adult leaders. The theme was “Chosen to Proclaim” based on the Life of Peter. The main verse was 1 Peter 2:9. Through small group, worship, games and activities, the young people learned more about themselves and their relationships with God. They enjoyed getting into the Word and were challenged to proclaim Jesus with their lives. Many professed their faith in Jesus, asked Jesus to forgive them, and a few responded with open hearts to a call to ministry. We are excited about what God is doing in and through this generation.
Camp Pathway, for 3rd-6th graders, also held at Canyon Camp, brought together 30 campers and 15 adult leaders. At Pathway, children explored the theme “Armor Up!” and learned from Ephesians 6 how God equips us to stand strong in our faith. Through worship, small groups, games, crafts, and activities, the 3rd-6th graders were challenged to put on the armor every day and walk ready to share Christ with others.
Life Camp, for junior and senior high, was held at Camp Galilee in El Dorado Springs, MO. It brought together 49 campers with 23 adults for times of worship, teaching, Christian community and intentional individual time alone with God, which they called one-on-one spiritual time. The theme was from John 1:4. They learned and were challenged to abide in Christ, be the light in a world of darkness, and allow the light of Christ to penetrate the dark times in their own lives. It was awesome to watch students intentionally practicing listening and journaling about what God was saying to them. During the final worship time, about 16 students stood to say that they were feeling called to some form of ministry and were open to what God would do in them.
As you can see, the greatest story of the summer cannot be told simply through statistics. It is found in young people praying together, worshiping together, opening their Bibles, asking questions about faith, responding to Christ, and beginning to sense that God may be calling them to something more.
The Spirit of God is at work among the young people attending our Heartland-endorsed camps. We give thanks for every camper, volunteer, pastor, church, and leader who is investing in making these ministries possible. As we celebrate what God has done this summer, we also pray that the seeds planted at camp will continue to grow in local churches, families, and communities throughout the Heartland. I encourage you to ask your young people to talk about what God did in them at camp.
Looking forward to next year and we hope you will plan to pray for our camps and join us! If you have any questions, please reach out to me at ceck@heartlandgmc.org. or give me a call.
