Impact of Camps & Retreats on the Ministry of our Future Church Leaders

Jun

2009

Written by Zach Norman

Today, I stepped into the afternoon kids camp service.... There is nothing cooler than seeing a room FULL of children praising God! 700 children worshiping, it's hard to describe, but it is COOL!!!!!! We have been so encouraged by the stories of the great things God is doing this summer at Lake Williamson!

Camp season is a special time of year for children, students, and families. I can't think of too many things on a church calendar that compare to going on retreat... Spending an entire week playing games, focused on God, and worshiping with peers. For many people camp is where they accept Christ for the first time and receive their call to ministry.

My Story...

Back, back, back in time... When I was in junior high school my mom insisted that I go to church camp. I had been to two or three other camps that I was completely convinced were 1000% better than church camp, and I didn't really feel like adding another one to my schedule. I say that like, as a junior high student, I had a stressful schedule... haha, it was really just taking away from my time at the city pool. My mom won, and I went to church camp. It was unlike any other camp experience I had ever had, I found JESUS! I had grown up in church my entire life, my parents both very active members, but it wasn't until I went to camp that I could tune out all the other distractions in my life and get connected with God. It was in camp experiences to follow that I realized God's call on my life for ministry. I am convinced that if it weren't for my experience at church camp that I wouldn't be half the man I am today.

Midwest Christian Retreats is...

We are praying for changed lives, hearts turned toward God, and decisions for Christ in the students, families, adults, and churches who have or are planning to attend conference or retreat here this summer.

Please continue to send us your stories of the GREAT things God is doing through your events this summer! Feel free to share your stories on the Lake Williamson or Lake Placid Facebook fan pages, give us a call, or send us an e-mail.