What an amazing blessing this summer has been! There were times of rejoicing and times of trial, but I truly stand in awe of how the Lord uses our meager efforts and unpleasant circumstances to bring glory to His Name . The bottom line: Seeds were planted, lives were changed, and God's Truth was proclaimed from every corner of our campus. Praise Him!
It is hard to describe the scope of what actually happens through the typical summer. Perhaps there is no typical summer. Either way, we were blessed with another year of quality staff. God brought to us young adults who understood their responsibility of spiritual leadership and communicated God's love and truth through genuine relationships with their students.
The theme for the summer was “Get Real” , a pointed challenge for students to live out their faith in their different circumstances. The “Discovery” Camps (grades 3-6) were filled with age-specific teaching times, games, activities, and many expressions of “child-like” faith to accept Christ. Praise the Lord! Pray with us as we follow up with these students, and also as we continue to evaluate and develop this area of the summer camp ministry.
The sequel year of our two week summer program called “Teen Explosion” was an amazing time. The number of students attending both weeks grew drastically from last year and the spiritual impact of being totally immersed in a Christ-centered environment for thirteen days is amazing to be a part of. I'll be honest… It's exhausting. But, it is totally worth it to see God use it to change the lives and hearts of teenagers.
As the camp has grown and changed over the past summers, we have been praying for God's direction in the possibility of additional quality staff to help expand the scope of the camp ministry. I am excited to share that God has provided in amazing ways, leading Justin and Maria Evans to be a part of our full-time staff in the months ahead. Justin will take on the role of Assistant Director and Maria will lend her organizational skills to our office. They are people with a true heart for student ministry and a sensitivity to God's leading. He has provided a good all around couple that can help shoulder the diversity of tasks that this phase of our ministry demands.
The ministry of Camp Sparta is a gift from God. I love being a part of what God is doing here, and I thank Him for putting me and my wife, Stephanie, in the middle of it. I also deeply thank you for your support and continued prayers. I hope to continue to meet more of you in the near future.
