By Greg Williams
Basketball and volleyball
department manager
Ever since Jesus was made the bull's-eye of the SEP target, young people have been coming to Christ. Evangelism has been the central emphasis of camp, and 70 plus baptisms over the summers of 1999 and 2000 have been the fruit.
Unfortunately, this success hasn't always translated back to the local church.
A major gap that came to our attention was that many of the young people loved SEP and the worshipful good time they could have with their camp buddies, but their lives back home were still fraught with major struggles against sin and disconnection from church. For too many, SEP was their Christian life and church.
This year a remarkable turn- around occurred. From staff orientation in the middle of June until departure at the end of July, the theme of going back and making a difference has played loud and long. Teens rose up in front of their peers and explained how tough choices such as giving up past friends and weekend parties would have to be made. If they are going to make a difference it would begin with walking the Christian walk.
Second, dozens of the participants said that they want to go back and help build their church. Practical workshops were given during the Higher Ground session on this topic. I predict that many of our local churches are going to experience a major lift because of the involvement that the youths are going to provide. These young people are not our future, they are our present!
I can't tell you how inspiring it is to see the hearts and minds and lives that are being changed for eternity--all to God's glory!
It is also encouraging to see the many young people who have a desire to go back and make a difference in their local church areas.
Many of our young people are beginning to catch the vision of doing kingdom work and desire to make an impact right here within our own denomination. Praise God for that!
It has been 30 years since I last spent some time at SEP as a worker. This summer I fulfilled a dream that I've had ever since--to visit once again.
As a guest, I witnessed the last two days of the new Higher Ground program for older teens.
One of the greatest concerns young people have is that church is boring. While it may be easy to defensively pass this off as the unwarranted criticism of youth and inexperience, they probably, in many cases, have a valid point.
Most of the time when I heard these types of comments it was from young people who were concerned about the church they love. They aren't trying to be critical. They are sharing their heart. They know that in order to attract and keep young people, churches need to make some changes. They love their congregations and they love the Worldwide Church of God. They want to see their churches become vital centers of Christian life and gospel work.
I encourage the pastors in the Memphis, Tennessee, district to try to find ways to involve their young people in the life of their congregations. Many of them want to help but they don't know how or they are afraid of rejection. We can ask them for their ideas. We need to be open to the validity of what they say. They can become our prayer partners and co-workers in a shared ministry.
The effect that SEP has on the participants will undoubtedly be felt in the congregations they attend.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000