SEP Arkansas:
passion for God

By Michael Rasmussen

Camp director

SEARCY, Arkansas—Sixty-eight campers at the Summer Educational Program (SEP) in Searcy June 30 to July 5 enjoyed spiritual activities such as powerful chapels, thought-provoking breakout sessions and dynamic seminars, followed by several evenings of praise and worship.

In addition to the spiritual activities, the teens enjoyed paintball, rappelling (off a 150-foot cliff), a ropes course with a 300-foot zip line, horseback riding, swimming and dance classes.

Early on we decided to try something new this summer. We asked our young adults, who came in from around the country, to step up to the next level of ministry. Instead of just being counselors, we asked them to coordinate and facilitate 98 percent of the entire camp.

Other than the first chapel, which I gave, and the last chapel, given by Randy Bloom, district superintendent, all the other chapels were given by young adults. They also facilitated all 10 breakout sessions and all three of the seminars. Out of the more than two dozen staff members, only a handful were older than 27.

Anyone who thinks the Worldwide Church of God is in jeopardy needs to see our young people in action. It is truly amazing what God is doing through them.

He has given us a beautiful present and a future in these teens and young adults. I have never seen such passion and balanced commitment to God in my 38 years in the church. We are truly excited to see what God has in store for us in the years to come. One thing we know for sure, we are in good hands.

We will provide another opportunity for young people to gather for a weekend camp, Nov. 15 to 17, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for a camp called Crosswalk. Two camps will run simultaneously—junior camp (ages 8 to 11) and senior camp (ages 12-25). For more information or to request an application, please check out the SEP website at www.wcg.org/youth or send e-mail to michael_rasmussen@wcg.org You can also write or call Michael Rasmussen at 12012 Surrey Ln., Yukon, Oklahoma, 73099, telephone 1-405-373-3137.

ARKANSAS SEP—Campers and staff. [Photos by Steve Kramer and Jill Holmes]

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002