Why do we love camping ministry? Because it is a powerful avenue to share Jesus, and we have seen God at work growing the faith of young people on camp!
On a recent year 11/12 camp, Summit mid-year trainee Eli met a camper named Patrick* who had become a Christian on a school camp the year before. The impact camp had on Patrick’s life was a great encouragement to Eli and a testament to the power of God working through camping ministry.
Before camp began, Eli made a mental note to remember Patrick’s name after learning that Patrick had indicated a decision to follow Jesus on camp the previous year. If they met, Eli wanted to intentionally check how Patrick’s faith journey had been going over the year.
Once the campers arrived, Eli spent the next couple of hours running activities and getting to know those in his group, but he was yet to come across Patrick. It was only at dinner when Eli sat down with a group of boys he hadn’t had in activities, that he met Patrick. Throughout the dinner time conversation, Eli learnt that a bunch of Patrick’s friends were also Christian.
In Christian Discovery the next morning, Eli intentionally sat down with the same group of boys he had dinner with the night before. Eli grabbed these boys to join him for discussion groups, especially keen to have more opportunity to chat with Patrick about his faith.
Patrick shared his faith enthusiastically in discussion group and had clearly grown in his understanding of God since becoming a Christian the year before. Eli walked away from the first discussion group so encouraged knowing Patrick did really, truly believe that Jesus was his Lord!
As the week on camp continued, Patrick was on fire for Jesus, as he shared his faith and discussed the Bible with the other boys; his passion and zeal for Christ was clear.
Not only that, but as Eli continued chatting with Patrick, Patrick shared that his younger brother had also become a Christian in the last year, despite both of their parents being atheist. It is so encouraging that God worked in Patrick’s heart, and from there, Patrick was able to share the gospel with his brother. The work doesn’t finish on camp but continues in the lives of campers and their families long after camp is done.
Stories like Patrick’s not only show how God is at work in the lives of campers who don’t know Jesus but also those who are already Christian. It is our mission at CRU to share the gospel with unbelievers, while also nurturing the faith of Christians; encouraging each individual leader and camper alike, to know God deeply and grow in love for Him!
Camping ministry can be hard work. But there are also great moments of encouragement, where God allows us to clearly see fruit from this ministry. Eli found himself not only encouraged by Patrick’s growing faith but spurred on in his own work and purpose at CRU. Patrick’s story is
a great reminder of how God can powerfully work through people like Eli and the many others who faithfully serve on camp.
*Name changed for privacy reasons
