A Week at Camp
My family and I just returned this past week from a youth camp in Bonifay, FL. It was consistently hot, I averaged only about four solid hours of sleep each night, there was no shortage of gnats and mosquitoes, swimming was canceled twice due to severe weather, and it didn’t take long for most of the dorms to develop a strong, musty odor—mainly from wet shoes and dirty towels. And don’t even get me started on the unusual speaker (which, incidentally, was me).
In spite of all that, if I were asked to preach there again, I would gladly accept.
Why? Though it pained me to go nearly a full week without my usual cup of coffee, seeing the joy on the kids’ faces as I handed them an animal balloon gave me more of a boost than caffeine ever could. Even better was witnessing several children go to counselors after a service to either recommit their lives to Christ or pray for salvation. My heart was bursting after sharing the gospel with an inquisitive girl and finding out later that she had accepted Christ later that night!
In Mark chapter ten, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (vv. 14b–15). Children are dear to the heart of Christ; therefore, we should strive not only to teach them about Him but also to show them His love through our actions.
Sadly, over the years, I have witnessed a troubling callousness in various churches when it comes to youth ministry. This apathetic attitude suggests that some would rather merely tolerate young people than compassionately and consistently train them for the kingdom.
I thank the Lord for the faithful believers at Tabernacle FWB Church in Kinston, NC, who showed me kindness and taught me the Word of Christ at a young age, during a time when it felt like my whole world was falling apart. However old you are, I urge you to not forget about the next generation. Be kind to them. Be encouraging. Be a light they can follow that will lead them to Christ!
