About this time a week ago 33 of us were 4 days into one of those "mountain top" experiences like Matthew 17 where we felt closer to God and to each other than we had just a few short days ago. This time last week I was headed to a youth pastor's meeting where we shared with each other the weeks victories and defeats. Last week students from our ministry took big steps in their faith. For some it was releasing a burden they had been carrying to a leader who could pray for them and allow God to begin to heal them. For others it was an appreciation of health in contrast to the kids we served through mission camp. For some it was the unity that had developed amongst peers that were previously disconnected. Some students were moved by songs like "Lose it all" and "We All" and decided to swap the music they jam in their headphones from songs that dragged them down to songs that lifted God up. Others totally surrendered their lives to Christ and asked for Him to make their dead bodies alive in Him.
I am sure that once home some students shared every moment with their parents sparing no details while others left their parents wondering if their child had even gone. Rest assured that every student left changed in some way whether they express it or not. Something impacted them. At the end of that youth pastor's meeting the speaker David Rhodes shared that he wanted to celebrate and encourage those students who are connected to Christ but maybe don't feel like their journey has amounted to anything yet. He wanted them to know that although we may feel like the seemingly worthless biblical character Epaphroditus we read about in Philippians 2, our devotion to remain in God's love and be faithful with the little things is worthy of celebration even if those around us think it is pointless. That is just what we did in a big way. I can say that David's message that night, the worship time that followed and the time our kids spent encouraging each other and me later that night was a highlight of my week.
To all my fellow campers: Thanks for all the awesome moments of brokenness, excitement, laughter and celebration that you allowed me to be a part of. Thanks for being patient with each other as we navigated the treacherous paths of relationships and thanks for not judging me as I walked around camp singing "Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh..."
To all the parents: Thanks for trusting us with your most valuable possession. I pray that your children with live lives passionately connected with Christ as a result of every event, phone call and conversation that we as youth leaders are blessed to be a part of. Thanks for your patience and support as we attempt to partner with you to draw your kids closer to Christ.
In Him,
Todd
PS: If you want to stay connected this summer, check out the Wednesday Bible Study we are hosting at the Hub. Go to www.ignitedyouth.com and then click the Bible Study link for more details.
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