Lives touched and changed at SEP Washington

Lives touched and changed
at SEP Washington

By Dee Bulante

ORCAS ISLAND, Washington—Ninety-two campers and 45 staff members experienced the transformational presence of God Aug. 15 to 22 at SEP Washington in Orcas Island. Five preschool children participated in their own mini-camp.

The San Juan Islands provided the setting for a weeklong program of spiritual teaching, recreational activities and relational evangelism. Camp director Amy Johnson commented: “Again this summer, it was a joy to see God working in the hearts and minds of our campers. My prayer is that youths will come to know Jesus Christ and learn how he can take care of their every need and pain. I thank God for making camp a wonderful success.”

For several of the youths, this was their first time participating in a Christian camp. The resounding consensus was, “We’ll be back next year!”

Chapel messages focused on the person, passion, purpose, provision and promise of Jesus. Activities included windgliding, canoeing in Puget Sound, whale watching, radio broadcasting at KSEP, hiking to a waterfall, stargazing, water polo, volleyball and table tennis.

The teens learned from seminars on the art of building relationships, world religions and building good work ethics.

The staff prepared a banquet for the teens where each was served steak, mashed potatoes and cream pie for dessert. The teens prepared their own program of table topics, personal testimonies, original song writing and poem reading.

The testimonies were so real and powerful that it provided one of the counselors, Shana Curd, an opportunity to invite campers to accept the love of the Father in an altar call. Most of the campers and staff streamed to the front, embracing one another and sharing tears. It was an unforgettable night where lives were touched and changed.

Five campers were baptized and 10 made personal commitments to follow Jesus. Staff members are resolved to follow up with each camper in sharing the love of Jesus through a sustained, personal relationship.

SEP truly lived up to its theme, “Journey With Jesus.” Campers and staff left Orcas Island recognizing and renewing their daily walk with Jesus.

Boys of SEP Washington—
[Photos by Mike Dreelan and Dee Bulante]