Few tears,
much anticipation

By Greg Williams

ORR, Minnesota—The expanded staff of 150 at the first session of the Summer Educational Program (SEP) was united with the singular mission of sharing Jesus with the young minds and hearts placed in their care. The full house of 310 campers came with a desire to learn about God, and many were curious about their future role in ministry.

I have served as a staff member for the past three years, and I must say that the spiritual awareness of the average camper was high. In the opening night dorm meetings the teens introduce themselves and express why they are there. The comments generally include a keen interest in the opposite sex and a desire to participate in sports, with an occasional addition of "I want to learn more about God too."

This summer I was impressed with young men who spoke about an interest in overseas missions, and even two who said they wanted to be pastors.

I considered this group of teens to be like tree-ripened fruit. Having grown up on an apple orchard, I am well acquainted with fruit in its various stages. In our aggressive marketplace we pick fruit before it is completely ripe, and this involves a certain amount of twisting and pulling. However, when fruit is tree-ripened, it almost falls off with the touch of the hand.

Session one campers came streaming to the front for altar calls (more kids were kneeling at the front than were left in their seats). After counseling sessions, coupled with parental permission, some 35 campers committed their lives to Jesus in the waters of Pelican Lake. Several others were ready for baptism, but they wanted their parents and church family to be a part of the ceremony, so they opted to wait until returning home.

Although campers and staff were fully aware of the pending sale of the camp, the sense of anticipation far outweighed the sad feelings. At the final banquet, tears were shed because friends were saying good-bye, but the overall attitude was "I’ll see you at a Discovery Weekend, or next year at a regional camp."

Our young people are on board for WCG youth ministry to go to the next level, and I pray their fire will add sparks to the congregations they returned home to. Greg Williams.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2001