At Lives Changed by Christ (LCBC) Church in Millersville, Pa., discipleship is a strong part of the youth ministry. Chad Herman, student ministries director, says building relationships and spiritually encouraging one another within a camp setting is a “relational microwave.” “[Camp] provides this huge chunk of time with students. We don’t get that time on […]
Time (And Money) Well Spent
14 Apr / by: CCCA / 0 comments / tags : Camp,christian camp,student resources,Youth PastorWhat is it about camp that leaves such distinct impressions on those who attend? Zach Crowley, youth minister at Taylorville Christian Church (Taylorville, Ill.), says he can’t imagine a year without it. “It’s the most important thing we’ll do all year.” He’s quite familiar with the distractions youth face, so venturing to a new place […]
Uninterrupted Conversations
07 Apr / by: CCCA / 0 comments / tags : Camp,camping,christian camp,summer camp,the power of camp,why campIn a recent phone call with my grandparents, we talked about how they spent Easter, family news, and even the latest on the local high school basketball team. Small-town life, you know. The conversation turned to my projects at work and technology. My grandparents don’t have a computer or Wi-Fi. Of the pair, my grandma […]
A Setting Unlike Any Other
24 Mar / by: CCCA / 0 comments / tags : ah-ha,Camp Janitor,change,Counselor,faith,Kids Camp,unique settingLuke Trouten stood in the back of the chapel waiting for the service to end. He wasn’t a camper or a counselor at Covenant Pines in Minnesota that summer. Instead, he served as a janitor. Broom in hand, he waited to clean the chapel once the campers were dismissed. It was one of those nights […]
A True Encounter with Jesus
21 Mar / by: CCCA / 0 comments / tags : Camp,encounter Jesus,impacted lives,life-changing experience,miracleTime and time again junior high youth pastor, Jimmy Orellana, has seen the amazing ways God has used camp to reach his students and impact lives. At one camp a couple years ago, as Orellana recalls, a sixth grade student came up to him and shared what was going on in his life. His parents […]
An Atheist at Camp
17 Mar / by: CCCA / 0 comments / tags : Camp,camping,elevate,intense,intensive,summer campThe fact that a high school student who claimed to be an atheist attended Hume Lake camp for a week was quite possibly the result of his mother forcing him to go. There was little doubt that the student did not want to be there, made clear by his negative attitude toward the activities or […]
A Year’s Worth of Ministry
15 Mar / by: CCCA / 0 comments / tags : Camp,camping,fellowship,ministry,summer camp,youthMichelle Huey’s turning point in her faith happened at camp. She remembers a moment at camp when she realized that up to that point, her “Sunday relationship with God” did not affect her life during the rest of the week. With that realization, she decided to pursue a daily walk with the Lord. This transformational […]
The chapel was filled with big screens, flashing lights and lasers. The camp was geared to be a thrilling high-tech experience. Then it all went dark. “The lights went out, and it’s still remembered as one of the best camps ever,” says Justin Herman, junior high youth pastor at Mariners Church. The rest of the […]
The Catalyst for Life Change
03 Mar / by: CCCA / 0 comments / tags : britt kitchen,Camp,camping,catalyst,changeIt’s a week of fun. It’s a chance to make new friends. It’s an opportunity to leave changed. “Camp acts as a catalyst for life change in our ministry,” says Britt Kitchen, middle school creative director at North Point Ministries. “If you asked our volunteers or our local camp staff, they feel [the impact on […]
They say no parent ever regretted spending time with their kids. According to a recent study, parents have said they would give up something that matters to them for a year just to have one extra hour a week with their kids. What were they willing to give up? The answers might surprise you, ranging […]