Young adults from all over Virginia gathered at Camp Lowman this past weekend to enjoy a time of fellowship, worship and the Word. 38 people attended “The Great Escape,” as it was called — a weekend to get away from the pressures and grind of daily life, escape reality for a bit and get in touch with God. And get in touch with God, we did.
Friday saw everyone get settled into their cabins, meet and greet each other, and spend some time chilling and relaxing before dinner and church. Chad from the Alexandria church led the group in devotion, where we all prayed for specific needs before the evening service kicked off. The Holy Spirit was present as we took our places in the sanctuary and began to worship through songs like “The Potter’s Hand” and “Your Love, Oh Lord.” Jay spoke that night about how we need to escape each and every day into the Word, and spend time with the Lord. The Word was so timely and the altar time was a great time of ministry to one another as many people filled the area in front of the stage and poured out their hearts in prayer.
Saturday was the only full day of the retreat, and it was chock-full of activities ranging from morning classes to free time. Morning classes were divided between married and unmarried people, and focused on the importance of keeping God as the center of a relationship and ensuring we get the most out of those relationships. Free time had no shortage of things to keep everyone occupied — some slept, others played ping pong and basketball, still others played basketball and there were some that mingled and got to know each other better.
The Saturday evening service was one to remember as the Holy Spirit moved from the very beginning. Chad led everyone in a devotion before the service again, this time focusing on Ephesians 6 and the armor of God. He had pinned paper with words on them (i.e. “Holy Spirit,” “Word of God,” “Salvation,” “Truth”) on different trees near the sanctuary and encouraged everyone to pray at each station again. The Spirit prompted many to lay hands on the sanctuary and usher in the presence of the Lord, and as service began everyone could feel the excitement and began to anticipate a mighty move of the Lord.
During “The Potter’s Hand,” the Spirit began to move quietly yet in a powerful way, prompting many to fall on their faces and pray. The altar was soon filled with young people ministering to one another and receiving blessings from the Lord. Jason Vernon then shared the Word for the evening. He used examples of road signs one would find during a roadtrip, in order to navigate their way through, and paralleled that to Bible verses instructing us on how to make it to Heaven. Jason encouraged everyone to pray for a move of God in their local churches, and asked people from each church to gather in a circle and pray for their congregations and lift up their leaders in prayer.
On Sunday morning, everyone started packing out but there was one last service. Jeremy Baldwin preached on what we need to do to prepare for Christ’s return. After he delivered the Word, people once again filed to the altar and enjoyed a sweet presence of the Lord as lives were once again blessed by the Lord. During opportunity for testimonies, several shared how the Lord had blessed them, healed them, and given them boldness and freedom.
The weekend ended with a final head count of 38 campers, 10 staff and many healings, deliverances and testimonies. Praise God for what he has done.
Lakeside testimonies from the camp ranged from everyone feeling a greater urgency to minister the Gospel to the community, to specific individuals finding peace about situations going on in their lives. God touched every single person that attended the camp in a mighty way and to God be the glory!!!
You all know that I don’t believe it is always God’s will to heal everybody, and I stand vehemently against the Word of Faith doctrine that says it is God’s will for all Christians to be healthy and wealthy.
Kevin and I enjoyed another day of disc golf on a soggy course at Newport News Park after church yesterday. We brought my Sony digital camera to shoot some photos and some of them turned out great, some didn’t. Oh well. I wanted to snap the photos mainly for Aftan and my mom — because Aftan seems sorta intrigued as to the mystery of why disc golf is so addictive, and my Mom doesn’t believe disc golf is actually a real game. Mom says I’ve pulled the wool over her eyes too many times, and she used the time I punked Paul Symonds as an example. (I had told Paully that I went fishing when I was stationed in the Azores, and we had caught an Eastern Atlantic species of fish called Plotkyfish. He bought it hook, line and sinker, so to speak.)
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