By John B. Heath
BIG SANDY, Texas--More than 240 teens from across the United States and Caribbean attended the church's annual Summer Educational Program (SEP) on the Ambassador campus June 17 to July 3.
Although SEP has always emphasized Christianity as a way of life, camp director Jeb Egbert and his staff have striven to place greater emphasis on the development of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Assistant counselor James Griffin of Jacksonville, Arkansas, called this year's SEP a "17 day crash course in Jesus."
"Numerous teens said that this is the first time in their lives that they feel they are developing a relationship with Jesus," said Dr. Egbert.
Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers, welcomed the campers June 17 on behalf of Mr. Tkach.
In his message, Mr. Rogers recounted his own experiences with SEP over the years and urged campers to use camp as an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus Christ and to each other.
He closed by stressing that Jesus Christ can be a best friend to teens who are willing to allow him into their lives.
His remarks inspired a new song by Ross F. Jutsum, titled "Jesus, You're My Best Friend," which Dr. Jutsum led the campers in singing several times during the session.
Staff consisted of WCG ministry, Ambassador students, faculty and staff, and high school students who attended camp in previous years.
Campers had many opportunities for Christian growth through Friday evening praise and worship services, youth-focused Saturday morning services, and chapel services on Monday and Thursday mornings.
Services gave teens a chance to worship God in song, share testimonials about what Christ has done in their lives, and contribute their talents as a member of either the camp choir or instrumental ensemble.
One evening, campers watched a film on the life of Christ based on the gospel of Luke. During the conclusion of the film, campers had an opportunity to accept Christ as Savior.
Campers also attended classes in Christian living, taught by Jeff Molnar, pastor of the Dallas, Texas, Central church, and principles of living, taught by Dr. Egbert and Edward Mauzey, Ambassador's dean of student affairs.
Ten teens were baptized over the course of the session. Several of the baptisms took place in Lake Loma Saturday afternoon, June 28. Campers and staff members gathered on the shore of Lake Loma to sing "Amazing Grace" before Tiffany Burns and Daniel Stoarks were baptized by Mr. Molnar.
"Baptizing campers in Lake Loma was a thrill and a dream come true for me," said Mr. Molnar. "They have heard the gospel loud and clear for 10 to 12 hours a day for 17 straight days. Most reacted just as they should, coming to recognize Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What a blessing for them to come to know him so intimately as teenagers."
Many participants were thrilled about the numerous opportunities and benefits of camp.
"Camp has helped me to love my neighbor more," said Seth Koch, 16, of Davidson, North Carolina, who was baptized during SEP. "Here at camp, you have an awesome chance to do that."
Geoff Pittman, 16, of Lexington, Kentucky, attended camp last year in Orr, Minnesota, and returned this summer as a volunteer high school worker. He agreed that the Christ-centered focus grew stronger this year. "I think every teenager should go to SEP," said Geoff. "I hope to be here as a worker as long as I can."
"I got more than I expected," said Joel Warkentin, 15, of Long Beach, California, who regularly performed saxophone during services. "I enjoyed the variety of activities we had. I really enjoyed Christian living. I didn't want it to end."
For campers such as Michelle Ross, 15, of Portland, Oregon, and Yvette Richey, 16, of Peoria, Illinois, developing new friendships and a better knowledge of Jesus were major highlights of camp.
"I liked chapel and Christian living because we could praise God," said Michelle. "I think we should have had one or the other every day!"
Traditional activities such as fellowship hour, campus improvement, sporting activities, television and radio continue to be an important part of the SEP experience.
Added this year were the challenge course, an opportunity to develop a personal Internet web site and various community service activities, which included visiting a senior citizen's center, visiting a home for disabled children, volunteering at a library, sorting used clothing and cleaning trash from roadways.
All camp activities, whether old or new, were related by the staff to Jesus Christ and his way of life in some way.
In softball, for example, campers were reminded that they must keep their eyes on Christ, just as one must keep his or her eye on the ball during a game.
In television, campers were reminded that Jesus Christ is one's focus in life. Just as a camera person focuses a lens to get a sharp picture, the Christian must allow Christ to be his focus, allowing himself to view the issues of life from a clear and focused standpoint.
Dorm living provided an additional bonus for Christian growth. Traditionally, dorms walk in two lines and wear matching shirts to enhance dorm unity.
Mottos, chants and upbeat songs provided campers further ways of demonstrating dorm oneness as they went from one activity to another.
It was not uncommon to find members of a dorm gathered in a prayer meeting, or to see an entire dorm stop by the health center to cheer up an injured comrade.
With the impending closure of Ambassador University and consequent sale of the campus, the church tentatively plans to return to the church-owned facility in Orr next summer. For more information, contact the SEP Office in Big Sandy at 1-903-636-2000.
"We appreciate the support of local churches, parents and ministers," said Dr. Egbert. "Without it, SEP would not be able to be what it has become."
SEP was a great experience. It was finding Jesus Christ.
I met so many people who love the same Father as I do. I didn't feel so different. I felt like a wonderful person. I felt whole. I felt so fulfilled in my heart. I felt a part of something. I know where I belong--as a child of Jesus Christ. I'm going to be baptized when I get home. It's a big step, but it's important because I love Jesus Christ, and he's in my heart.
Throughout camp, Christ was the center of everything we did.
At the beginning some didn't really know who Jesus was, but they wanted to know him. Some didn't believe in him.
As camp went on they realized who Jesus was, and he became their best friend. Those who were nonbelievers became believers. SEP changed peoples' lives.
You can't make it alone in the world. You need Jesus, and you need Christian friends to hold you accountable and help you out.
By Terry Akers
LOS ANGELES--Unbelievable! Awesome! Life changing!
These superlatives cannot contain all that God did at DC/LA '97, June 25-29. The youth evangelism super conference is conducted by Youth for Christ every three years in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
My wife, Nancy, and I attended DC/LA with a group of 39, mostly from the Pasadena Teen Church.
We also had the son and daughter of a Methodist pastor, a girl from the Foursquare Gospel Church in Japan, two teens from our San Jose, California, church, and one from Utah.
Dave Smith, the Pasadena youth pastor, his wife, Marla, and others worked tirelessly for months in preparation for this event.
We stayed in one of the old Ambassador dorms each night and drove down every morning. We got up about 6 each morning, had breakfast and devotionals and arrived in time for the "Live the Life" training sessions.
We learned the importance of being grounded in the essentials of the Christian faith and how to share our faith with others.
We were shown the importance of making Jesus our Lord as well as our Savior, and how this is accomplished through trust in him and love for each other. The training included inspiring testimonials and instruction on overcoming our fears.
The general sessions began at 11:15. We were led in worship by Greg and Rebecca Sparks, followed by music by Christian bands such as Jars of Clay, Geoff Moore and the Distance, Audio Adrenaline, Newsboys, the Kry and Worldwide Message Tribe.
Other artists included Rebecca St. James, Out of Eden, Michael W. Smith (who wrote the conference theme song, "Life the Life"), CeCe Winans and Steven Curtis Chapman.
The music was followed by inspirational speakers. Heart-touching messages by Ken Davis, Tony Compolo, Miles McPherson, Lori Salierno, Buster Soaries and Reggie Dabbs moved the teens to new commitments and a deeper personal relationship with Jesus.
Each general session was followed by a lunch break before afternoon Extreme Learning breakaway sessions. Teens could attend two breakaway sessions each day with dozens of topics to choose from.
Some speakers were preceded by music groups such as Three Crosses, Code of Ethics and the Supertones.
Speakers included Ron Luce (Acquire the Fire), Jim Burns, Susi Shellenberger, Josh McDowell and Monty Hipp.
The evening general sessions began at 7. Thursday night hundreds of young people made first-time commitments or recommitted their lives to Jesus Christ.
After the general sessions, the musicians signed autographs and hung out with the teens. Afterward, the junior high students got to go back stage for more music, games and relational talks from the artists and speakers.
We would get back about 11:30. Our teens would often pray in small groups at the conference and for each other after we got back, sometimes into the morning hours.
The Holy Spirit moved in a surprising and powerful manner throughout the conference. The bonding that took place in our group was amazing. The head to heart transfer was completed for many there.
There was no sense of hype or emotionalism, however. The music was often rock, but the lyrics were scriptural. It's a powerful medium for reaching today's youths with the gospel.
The artists are all committed Christians (many do extensive missionary work each year) and shared their faith with the young people between sets of songs.
Nothing seemed contrived or forced. They just encouraged everyone to be open to God and willing to receive whatever he had for them.
Any sense of denominationalism was totally absent--the focus was purely on our relationship with Jesus. We worshiped as one body.
One afternoon about 500 teens went out on buses to share their faith with others at malls and beaches. They made 1,300 contacts resulting in 100 commitments. The experience stretched the teens and strengthened their confidence.
One night we collected enough quarters to sponsor 128 children in Third World countries with food, clothes, housing, education and the gospel. Overall, 1,017 sponsorship commitments were made for these children through Compassion International.
The last session was a Sunday morning worship service. About 25 teens gave moving testimonials relating to their DC/LA experience.
Tears flowed at the end when new friends said their good-byes. Hundreds encouraged one another to take back what they learned. We all wanted the experience to continue but we couldn't wait to get back and start living the life!
On behalf of the Pasadena Teen Church, I encourage all who may be interested to plan for DC/LA 2000. Check out their web site at www.livethelife.org
Terry Akers is a youth worker in the Pasadena Teen Church.
The Light That Guides
Forever you, our Lord and Savior,
Please lead us through our darkest night.
Guide us on the path you choose for us,
Keep us always in your light.
I was hit by a car at 3 p.m., July 3. By 3:10 my youth pastor, Dave Smith, was notified. He notified my youth prayer group, and a prayer line began.
Many were praying before they knew the extent of my injuries. I suffered a fractured knee, some scrapes and bruises. Through prayer it wasn't as bad as expected.
Many would ask, "God, why did you let this happen?" But I don't blame him. God has a purpose for everything. This brought me closer to my family, my friends, my youth group, and I feel love and support from everyone."
At worship services July 12, Michael prayed: "Thank you for everyone in this church and all the people who were praying for me. You are the only way out of anything. It's going to take a lot more than a car to keep me from following in your footsteps."
At DC/LA we learned six spiritual disciplines. Practicing them will help us come closer in our relationships with Jesus Christ. They are prayer, giving, reading the Bible, sharing the gospel, abiding in Christ and serving.
The way to share Jesus is to share his love with others. The important thing is to live your life according to Jesus Christ. Don't put up fronts. Be real and let God guide you without worrying what others think.
We may be scared but we must not be silent. We must share the gospel. We must love others.
This sounds scary, but Jesus went to the cross for us. Think how scared he was. Jesus will give us courage. We may be scared to live the life of Jesus, but we don't have to be afraid.
I expected a lot from DC/LA, but what I didn't know was that I was going to come out a different person.
I found out that God wanted me to be a tool for him in evangelizing others.
We learned how to evangelize at our campuses and how to pray over our schools and how to share our love with everyone. I feel that God wants me to affect my school. I'm prepared to go out there to show everybody that God is everything. I'm not fearful anymore. I'm not shameful of Jesus Christ, which I was before DC/LA.
Thursday night what the speaker was saying was bringing me down.
I was having doubts about my faith. I felt as if I never had Jesus in my life. Maybe I hadn't been studying my Bible and praying enough.
When the speaker asked us to come down and accept or recommit ourselves to Christ, I knew I had done it before, but I didn't feel like I belonged down there.
When it was over I didn't want to talk to anyone, because I knew they would ask, Jeff, why didn't you go down and accept Christ?
I sat on the floor against a column in the lobby. A friend asked what was wrong, and I burst into tears and said: "Where did he go? I never had Jesus in my life. I don't know what I believe any more."
Other friends came around me, prayed and sang, uniting to bring Jesus back into my life. I saw Jesus in each and every one of them. They even offered to fast for me through the rest of the conference. It was like having a bunch of Jesuses all around me.
Back at the dorm I saw a room of people crying out to the Father, thanking the Lord "for bringing our brother Jeff back into your army." Several accepted Christ that night.
No matter how many times I forget the love of my Rescuer, even when I practically denied his existence, his love is so strong and so undying that he wants us more than anything in the world.
The Christian life is no walk down Easy Lane.
July 22, 1997, WN, pages 8 and 9
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