The World According To Chris Brewer

Every year around this time, the Church of God of Prophecy holds youth Summer Camps in each of its states. Virginia’s youth camp concluded last week, and now it’s Washington’s turn. I mention these two states because Virginia of course is where I currently live, and Washington is where I grew up.

As a camper, I enjoyed the fellowship, the worship, and the altar ministry. Some of my best memories while growing up, happened at Millersylvania State Park’s Environmental Learning Center in Maytown, Washington during the last week in June and the first week in July. I received so much from the Lord, made lifelong friendships, and got to show off my now non-existent basketball skills. Plus, it was one of the only times throughout the year I saw each one of my church friends in the same place. What a wonderful experience!!!

Now I find myself sitting here in Virginia, too old to be a camper, and a few years removed from my time in Washington state. I treasure my time there, and I want to do what I can to help others create the same memories.

I can’t do that this year — I’m not actively involved in the camping ministry until I separate from the Air Force. But every year when Camps roll around, I always spend extra time in prayer for campers and leaders in each respective state’s camp.

Lakeside sent ten youth to Senior Camp this past week, and three worked in the camp as staff. It was so neat to hear reports of how the Lord blessed mightily at Camp Lowman. Last night at Life group, Krista Lankford shared how tough it was as a group leader to minister to each kid’s needs. How true…it’s so different when you’re a camper for years and when you’re called, the glorious burden of being a group leader presents itself.

My only camp staff experience was 2004, worked in Washington’s Winter Retreat. It was then that I experienced firsthand how much of a spiritual toll being in leadership takes. Not only are you dealing with your daily duties as a staff member (in my case, it was a “roustabout” — basically the errand person for the camp), and ministering to the campers at the altar, but you’re also praying up for yourself, guarding your heart and mind, and engaging in serious spiritual warfare.

As tough as it is, the job is great — you get to see kids turn to Christ, be healed of physical and spiritual ailments, receive their calling, etc. It’s so awesome to see what the Lord does during Camp. Not only are we ministering to kids who need to touch heaven, but we are seeing the future camp staff, church leadership, and spiritual mentors receive from the Lord.

With that being said, during this week, pray for two Camps being conducted as we speak. Virginia’s Junior Camp is in progress right now, and Washington’s Senior Camp kicked off yesterday. Pray for the leadership of each camp and pray for the Holy Spirit to have His way, and kids to go home changed forever. Pray for Shelly Symonds as she directs Washington state’s camp. Call out names of the staff and campers you know and hold them up in prayer each day, each time you think of them.

Camp ministry is the single most effective ministry in the COGOP today, and the atmosphere is electric when it rolls around. God bless everyone who has been, is currently, and will be involved in Camps this year!