Young people from Missouri,
Kentucky, Oklahoma and Nebraska experienced the “Gateway to God,” where the
inaugural theme expressed Jesus as the Gateway—the one true gate who is the
way, the truth and the life. ST. LOUIS, Missouri—Thirty-nine campers, eight counselors and 16 support staff converged on Revive Us Again Christian retreat center in rural Dittmer, Missouri, Sept. 12 to 14 for a Discovery Weekend.
Young people from Missouri,
Kentucky, Oklahoma and Nebraska experienced the “Gateway to God,” where the
inaugural theme expressed Jesus as the Gateway—the one true gate who is the
way, the truth and the life.
The Midwest camp was a miracle from
the beginning. After a YouthBuilder seminar by Jeb Egbert, Pastor Karl Reinagel
challenged the St. Louis area churches to bring more youth-friendly activities
to our area. After much prayer and discussion, Gateway to God was born.
God blessed the event with all types of campers, from committed Christians to those just learning about Jesus Christ. It was exciting to watch them build relationships and get to know each other. Throughout the weekend, they exchanged names, snail mail and e-mail addresses.
The weekend began with praise and worship led by Jared Wann and Jolene Davis. Jared wrote a song titled “Gateway to God,” which quickly became a camper favorite.
Pastor Karl, camp director, gave the message Friday evening, Sept. 12, telling campers that many paths can be chosen, but that the way that seems right ends in death (Proverbs 14:12). He explained that Jesus is the one true way—the Gateway. After chapel we served dessert at a bonfire and participated in a sing-along in the woods.
Dr. Egbert give chapel messages Saturday and Sunday. He spoke on making the choice to follow Jesus, and then following through with it. He challenged us to then grow after making the commitment, by putting God first in our lives. Each evening the dorm counselors led their groups in thoughtful, Spirit-filled dorm devotionals. Youths were given the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ on Saturday and Sunday.
Kip Hunter, assistant camp director, created several challenges based on the television series Survivor. These were designed to reinforce chapel messages and to distinguish between individual competition and group competition, demonstrating that it is much harder to attempt them alone, without help.
Saturday evening each group created its own two-minute infomercial on why we need Jesus. Randy Bloom, district superintendent, was master of ceremonies. Later that evening we had a concert by Loser’s Luck, a St. Louis Christian rock band. Kris Dry, a Lake St. Louis camper, did the sound mix. A luau took place after the concert.
The event closed with inspiring words from Dr. Egbert to grow in Christ and encouragement from Pastor Karl. The youths left with new friendships, enthusiasm toward Jesus Christ and true knowledge that Jesus is indeed the Way.
Seeing these young people with a zeal for God and a thirst for the knowledge of Jesus was overwhelming. Gary Harris said, “The seed wasn’t just scattered, it was planted deep, like corn.”
We invite anyone interested to attend our next Gateway to God weekend March 19 to 21. Look for details for future Gateway to God discovery weekends on the WCG youth ministry web site. If you are between the ages of 12 and 25, we hope to see you at the Gateway!
Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2003