Together, Sept-Oct. 06: Crossing Borders Camp

In mid July, 72 WCG members gathered for three days in the Catskill Mountains of New York for Join the Journey—the first of three “intensives” in our new "Servants Passage" program.

Servants Passage is coordinated and resourced by the WCG Generations Ministries as part of the Generations Development Program. Servants Passage uses mentoring strategies to equip workers and leaders to help them be more effective in making disciples in their home churches.

Join the Journey begins a two-year-long journey of exploration and learning. It focuses on exploring each the way God has made each person and that person's call to ministry, assessing existing levels of development, setting goals for growth, and charting out steps to take to achieve that growth through learning communities formed in the local congregation.

Ted Johnston, Generations Ministries national director, describes Servants Passage as a “local-church-based ministry development program through which ministry teams grow together in character, ministry knowledge and ministry skill under the guidance of a local mentor.” According to Ted, these teams are equipped and coached by Generations Ministries leaders throughout Servants Passage.

In addition to the one just started in the Northeast, other Servants Passage programs have been launched in the Ohio Valley, Southern California (see page 2), the Southeast and the upper Midwest. Others are in the planning stages, with one about to be launched in the Northwest.

It is the goal of Generations Ministries to have Servants Passage programs operating throughout the United States over the next couple of years. For information about bringing Servants Passage to your area, you may contact your pastor or district superintendent, or contact Ted Johnston at Ted.Johnston@wcg.org.

On July 8-15, 2006, ten young adults, ages 19-25, met on a 7,000-foot-high mountain in Big Bear, CA, for our first Servants Passage Intensive. These ten are already serving in their local WCG congregations and were recommended by their pastors and subsidized financially by their churches. This intensive was organized and led by Dennis and Lorraine Pelley and Russell and Phyllis Duke and operated in coordination with SEP So. Cal., directed by Mark and Anne Stapleton.

Each morning Russell Duke, President of Ambassador College of Christian Ministry, led the students through sections of the Gospel of Luke emphasizing how Jesus trained his disciples as servant-leaders. Each afternoon the students served in SEP camp ministry as assistant counselors and activity leaders. They spent evening time in group prayer, small group discussions, leading devotions and sharing testimonies.

Here are comments from some of our pioneer students:

Everything was very edifying. I liked building God-centered friendships, working with the youth, and learning from experienced Christians. —Audrey Lortz, 25, Cathedral City
I really enjoyed the biblical teaching and the discussion of difficult camp and ministry situations. —David Ramos, 21, West Covina
I rediscovered a closeness to God that I haven’t had for a very long time. I loved experiencing God in the lessons, the prayers, the solo time and the fellowship. —Susie Day, age 23, Rosamond
I enjoyed the fellowship of devoted believers wanting to learn and grow together. I now realize my need for a mentor and plan to lead with passionate commitment. —Cody Urban, 21, Lancaster
I gained a better theological understanding of the book of Luke and learned wisdom in handling difficult situations. —Sam Wegner, 19, Altadena
I liked the personal stories the pastors told. The personal inventories of gifts and relationship styles were very helpful. I also appreciated hearing everyone give a devotional. —Heather Mitchell, 19, Palmdale

Director Dennis Pelley gave the students opportunities to write a life purpose statement and take inventories in spiritual gifts and relationship styles. They discussed how to resolve challenges and conflicts in a number of hypothetical but realistic ministry scenarios. Randy and Marli Brown (www.randyandmarli.com) led two sessions on Worship Lifestyle. District Superintendent Curtis May shared lessons learned during his career in ministry and discussed passionate commitment.

All ten students chose to continue the two-year Servants Passage, and most have now chosen mentors. We will have a workshop for the students and mentors in November, and are planning two more intensives on weekends in 2007 and 2008. Next summer at SEP So. Cal., we hope to launch 10-14 new students on another Servants Passage.

The last evening Lorraine and I washed the feet of these ten disciples and they washed one another’s feet. Then we shared the Lord’s Supper. At the closing worship service Saturday morning, in front of the SEP campers, staff and guests, we commissioned these ten young servants for greater ministry.