ORR, Minnesota--SEP 2000 changed lives! Better worded, Jesus changed lives by answering the prayers offered by hundreds that his presence would be felt at SEP.
Four hundred and nine campers (up 6.2 percent from 1999) came to Orr
for what several described as "the best times of their lives."
"God seriously smiles down on SEP," said Monique Etienne, 18, from Miami, Florida, "because lives are changing."
Genevieve Sorenson, 16, from San Diego, California, agreed. "SEP is an awesome place. It has changed my life and the lives of many others. This camp puts fire in our hearts and brings us closer to Jesus," she said.
The first session, June 25 to July 10, was targeted to those ages 12 through 15. The focus was on evangelism, bringing young people into a relationship with Jesus. And many answered that call, as 36 were baptized.
The second session, called Higher Ground, July 12 to 28, focused on discipleship. Two hundred young adults, primarily between the ages of 15 and 21, came to learn more about what it means to be a committed disciple of Jesus.
Perhaps the highlight of the second session was the weekend visit of Bruce Marchiano, who portrays Jesus in the Matthew videos. Mr. Marchiano reminded participants just how much Jesus loves them, regardless of their shortcomings.
"Jesus would stop whatever he was doing and get down in the dirt to serve," he told the assembled group. "All that Jesus did was giving and serving. Go and do likewise."
Mr. Marchiano told Barb Egbert, assistant director of SEP, that he was "stunned" at the responsiveness and level of commitment from the SEP community. "My life changed [at SEP]," he told the assembly as he began his second chapel.
Forty young people were baptized during Higher Ground. More came to Jesus, and a number committed themselves to his service.
One of the major themes of Higher Ground was to become a world-changer. Jeb Egbert, director of SEP, urged participants to move beyond a consumer mentality of Christianity. "Jesus did not conclude his time with his disciples by asking them to forget what they had experienced and return to their former life-styles. Instead, he told them to go and make disciples of all nations ... and I will be with you forever."
The session culminated in a commissioning in which Dr. Egbert invited any staff member who wished to pray for program participants to come forward. More than 100 staff members came forward and found a prayer partner. The gymnasium was filled with passionate prayers offered up by staff members on behalf of participants.
Before session participants departed, Ted Johnston, camp chaplain and district superintendent from North Canton, Ohio, invited them to the Lord's Table.
"SEP is the place where I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior," said David Peitz, 15, from Onalaska, Wisconsin.
Brittany Smith, 14, from Clayton, North Carolina, said, "I found God here, even though it took me two years."
"SEP continues to go through radical change," said Dr. Egbert. "It is not about volleyball and softball and archery, and yet as we help young people understand what real commitment to Jesus is all about, activities help young people see the commitment as more than just attending church. At SEP, everything we do is Christian living.
"One of the most exciting break-throughs of SEP this year has been the strong passion that many program participants and staff have for making a positive kingdom impact in their local congregations. In previous years, teens would say, `the Worldwide Church of God is not youth-friendly, so I'm attending another denomination that is.' Now young people are leaving Orr saying `I want to make a difference within the Worldwide Church of God.' Amen to that!"
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000