Every year, during the summer, our young people gather together, take a long 5 1/2 hour drive up to camp, and have an exciting week of fun and preaching. As we move towards camp, we should consider how we should actively prepare. There are many other ways that all of us at Faith Baptist can prepare for camp.
Parents, as you help your young person prepare for camp, consider the eternal impact that a week of preaching and teaching from God’s Word holds for your young person. Parents, it is not wrong to encourage your young person about the excitement and fun of camp, but recognize the benefit of praying with your child and promoting the value of making spiritual decisions. Perhaps you can discuss ways for them to engage with the messages, like taking notes that can lead to conversations when they return home. Seek out active ways to help your young person actively apply the decisions and truth they heard while at camp. While our sponsors seek to encourage this environment as well, the influence and prayers of a parent are invaluable for your young person as you demonstrate an eternal outlook. This is a great parenting opportunity to biblically help our young person grow in their spiritual life (Prov. 22:6, Duet. 6:6-7, Eph. 6:4).
Campers, take some time next week and actively pray for God to work in your heart from the truth of His Word. Seek out time with your parents before you head out to evaluate how you are doing spiritually. Young people, our parents are valuable resources that God has placed in our lives to help us grow spiritually. We are incredibly wise to utilize that resource. Ask the Spirit to help you avoid the temptation to allow fear of others from blocking your desire to submit to the Word and make a spiritual decision while at camp. While camp will be a blast (#nottome), the ultimate goal is to allow the Spirit to work in our lives. Campers seek to have an eternal focus and a hunger for Biblical truth (Col. 3:2 and Matt. 5:6)!
Sponsors, even though this is a small group, we are key. We are there to serve our young people and help foster a positive spiritual environment. For all serving in this area, it is crucial that we are right with God and walking with the Spirit. Consider taking extra time this week to ensure that you are right with God and asking the Spirit to help guide you during camp. Prioritize having spiritual conversations and investing in our young people while at camp. While there are times for games, fun, and laughter, let’s prioritize the spiritual influence we can be for our young people.
Church family, know you play a vital role in camp as well. Many of you are the reason why our young people are even able to go to camp! But you part does not just lie in the financial side of making camp successful. Just like last year, we will have prayer cards in the lobby with the names of our campers and sponsors on them. I want to encourage all of you to grab one of our prayer cards and commit to praying for our young people as the prepare and head to camp. Also, consider reaching out to the young person you are praying for and let them know you are praying for them! I know this is an invaluable part our church can play in helping our weeks of camp be an impactful spiritual time.
Sincerely,
Pastor Derek Whitman