Jesus is our
Superhero at preteen
SEP in Washington

By Cheryl L. Solari

LACEY, Washington—A truly animated week of discipleship began Aug. 17 for the preteens of the Summer Educational Program (SEP) Washington’s second session.

Amy Johnson was camp director.

Zipping across the lake on an inner tube or waterskiing, campers aged 7 to 12 enjoyed an action-packed week of fun, learning and fellowship in the Pacific Northwest. Interactive chapels about Christ’s self-sacrificing heroism focused on what it really took to save the world from evil, as campers and staff discovered how "Jesus Is My Superhero," the theme of the camp.

Summer is a time for comic-book blockbusters at theaters, but this time the story of the real Savior held the limelight.

"Our main focus was to present an environment where kids could relate to God in every moment and every aspect," said Katie Richardson, assistant camp director. "We tried to be Jesus to them, and to show them different sides of him that maybe they never knew before. All the while they got to participate in tons of fun activities centered on who God is, what his character is, and what his plan and destiny is for each person."

Camper Aaron Jones discovered God’s plan for his life while attending SEP this year. "When I first came to camp, I knew there was something more," he explained during the closing ceremonies. "But I didn’t fully believe it.... I feel there has been a door opened to me, and I can finally pass through that door to God."

In a particularly moving illustration of Jesus’ sacrifice, Aaron’s dorm constructed three large crosses from tree limbs, where they gathered secretly on the last morning, before other campers awoke, to imitate the worship of a persecuted church. Dormmates at that service laid stones at the foot of the cross to symbolize their sins and their acceptance of Christ into their lives.

Aaron and fellow campers Lisa Anderson, Jennifer Chaffee and Cody Parman were baptized that afternoon. Several others decided to be baptized once they returned to their own church areas. In all, more than 15 of the 34 campers expressed that they had accepted Jesus into their lives, before or during the course of the camp. And as always, the experience turned out to be a life-changing event for the staff as well. The night before campers returned home, teen staff member Cassandra Mason led a dozen staff down to the lake for her own moonlight baptism.

The concluding chapel service included a photo slide show and video skits from each dorm, dramatizing the call for purity, love and faith in the life of a young believer. Interview-style testimonials from newly committed campers and a service by Chuck Downey, assistant chaplain, emphasized that human heroes not only believe in Jesus, but tell others about him as well.

Cody Parman baptism

Katie and Dave Richardson and Aaron Jones

Jennifer Chaffee baptism

Lisa Anderson baptism

Dorm with cross they constructed. [Photos by Amy Johnson]

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002