|
From the Office
Why Camp Works Growing up, I did not attend summer camp. I held to the conviction that substantial, life-changing spiritual growth happened by consistently being discipled and discipling others. This was best exemplified, in my mind, through youth groups, Bible studies, and meeting with Christian friends every week. When I moved to college and heard my sister talk about what God had done in the lives of students and staff while she was working at Big Sandy Camp, I was skeptical. While I did not want to “put God in a box,” I was not sure I truly believed that lasting change could come from a student spending six days away from home over the summer. After hesitantly agreeing to volunteer with my sister for a weekend during Avalanche Camps, I fell in love with the early church-like atmosphere present at Big Sandy Camp. The staff ate, worshipped, prayed, and studied the Bible together, much like the apostles’ example in the book of Acts. Returning to Big Sandy Camp the following summer, and every summer since, I saw God give strength and courage beyond my hopes. He healed illnesses, diseases, and relationships. He brought people to Himself through trials and roadblocks. He tore through students’ defenses and brought tearful and broken hearts into his loving embrace. His power was manifested through violent storms and power outages. His grace and mercy were shown by the loving actions and responses of coworkers and superiors. His holiness was proven through Spirit-filled messages and pure, unadulterated worship. When God is present, it does not matter whether someone has been in any given environment for three years or three days. God is bigger than our timelines. He exceeds our expectations and surpasses the limits of our beliefs. That is why camp works. |
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
