Camp… Campers… Camping…

Friday, July 12, 2013
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Brighten The Corner Where You Are"1 (Lyrics)

Mark 10:13-16 – People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (NIV 2011)

As kids' camps are preparing for the onslaught of the many campers they will minister to this summer, there is always apprehension and doubt. Will the camps be full? Will we get all the counsellors we need? Will we raise all the required funding? Will the weather cooperate? And the list of questions goes on.

And then there are the naysayers who think that it is more trouble than it is worth. It draws away from other ministries; it's just an expensive paid holiday; I never got to go, so why should I pay for someone else's kid to go? And the list of excuses goes on.

And yet, there are so many positive stories of kids being ministered to at Bible camp: coming to Christ; re-dedications to Christ; new friendships; life lessons learned that are Scripture-based. And the list of life-changers goes on.

Let's commit to holding our camps up in prayer. Prayer is the foundation of all camps. They can never get too much prayer and often don't get enough. Pray for the finances; pray for the campers; pray for the counsellors; pray for the administrators. And the list of prayer needs goes on.

Prayer: Lord, keep us humble; keep us on our knees; keep Your Bible camps on our minds, so that we remember to pray for them throughout the summer as they minister to the children. May we not rebuke anyone who is intent on seeing children come to Christ. May we not be a hindrance, but rather, may we be instruments of help in whatever way we can, be it praying, helping, giving financially. And the list goes on. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Alec Niemi <aniemi@shaw.ca>
Harrison Mills, British Columbia, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Thanks Alec for sharing.


    Excellent devotion, Alex.


    So true. Sometimes we forget our children’s needs.


    Good one Alec. Thank you.
    (Colorado)


    Amen Brother.
    Blessings.


    Good morning Alec: I have great memories go camping growing up at Christian camps. Blessings on you and yours.


    Wonderful message, Alec, beautifully written. Thank you for the reminder of the need for prayer for all things related to those camps and the children who attend. I, for one, have been guilty of taking them for granted.


    Thank you Alec for this timely reminder. The future of the church depends on our young families and the children are our greatest asset. I will dedicate a special time of prayer each day for the camping ministry. Thank you again.


    Thanks, Alec, for your devotion today. My husband and I are on the Board of Directors for a summer ministry day camp and youth ministry at a summer resort area. I pray daily for our Camp Director and his wife and our summer staff. Indeed it is a very important ministry. May God bless all summer camps!!!


    Thanks Alec, for refreshing my mind. It has been very long since I was involved with camps; so long, in fact, that I needed your devotional to remind me that it is time to remember the camps in prayer. Well they shall be in my prayers for the duration. May you experience great success and untold blessings at this year’s camps.
    Blessings.


    Dear Alec,
    I remember going to camp in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania as a child. In addition to having fun, camps build relationships and future leaders of our Sunday Schools and Christian Endeavors. God bless you for having a heart for this ministry and sharing it with us.
    (California, USA)


    Thank you for the devotional on Bible Camps. I have been an advocate of supporting children to attend Christian Camps. My grandchildren have been the recipients of sponsorship throughout the years and I shall be ever grateful to our church and the WMS groups.
    Thanks again, and keep writing devotionals.
    (ON)


    Dear Alex,
    Thank you for your devotional.
    For years I did camp counselling and camp directing. I say Amen to your devotional. May GOD be, with HIS POWER, IN every CAMPER and every STAFFER and SUPPORTER throughout the world — forever.
    In Jesus name, Amen.
    KEEP WRITING.


    Good morning, Alec:
    Great devotional! The naysayers have likely never been to summer camp. I spent many summers at our church camps, and enjoyed every minute of them. The experiences were memorable; the lessons have remained with me for more than sixty years; and I met my first true love there. Circumstances parted our ways a few years later, but that was all in God’s plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
    There’s an old saying, “If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it.” Great advice for the naysayers. I have tried it, and would never knock it.


    Wonderful message, Alec, beautifully written. Thank you for the reminder of the need for prayer for all things related to those camps and the children who attend. I, for one, have been guilty of taking them for granted.

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