By Jeb Egbert
ORR, Minnesota--"Knowing you, Jesus. There is no greater thing!"
Those lyrics summarize the focus of a camp community in excess of 450 campers and staff for the one session conducted July 14 to 30 on the shores of Pelican Lake in Orr.
More than 300 teens came to the Summer Educational Program (SEP) to initiate or develop a relationship with their Savior.
They converged on this tiny Northern Minnesota town for 17 days of praise and worship, activities, dorm socials and fellowship with one major theme--"Jesus Christ is your best friend."
This year saw several innovations for SEP. Each morning campers engaged in what was called solo time, a half hour devoted to prayer and study before the activity day began.
Another innovation was the thematic, coordinated approach of the
chapels.
The first chapel was given by Jeb Egbert, SEP director, who observed how the world is groping for answers. "Stay tuned to learn how and who can get to the crux of the solution to all of our problems," he said.
Then, Jeff Broadnax, department manager over the basketball and volleyball program, introduced Jesus Christ. "He is your Savior, not just the God of old people," Mr. Broadnax said.
Then Ed Mauzey, camp chaplain, used the lyrics of a Phil Collins song in which the writer told of how his father, no matter how repentant the son was, told him that he was "no son, no son of mine."
Dr. Mauzey contrasted that approach with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. "The heart of the matter," Dr. Mauzey concluded, "is forgiveness."
Charles Taylor, department manager of the softball program, took the next chapel message to explain to those assembled that they need what Jesus has to offer.
The theme of his message was that the world was looking in all the
wrong places for answers. He demonstrated that Jesus is indeed the answer.
Jim Blackwell, department manager of water polo, then invited the campers to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. Mr. Blackwell noted that since Jesus is the answer, belief and acceptance of Jesus is our responsibility.
At the final Saturday service, Paul David Kurts, Christian Living instructor, coordinated a group of six campers who gave testimonials of what SEP, but more importantly what Jesus Christ, was doing in their lives.
Dan Rogers, WCG superintendent of ministers, then showed a video of the crucifixion before reading from Acts 2.
He explained that just as those who witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit had asked Peter "what shall we do?" those at camp should understand that the next step after accepting Jesus was to repent and be baptized.
Afterward, most of the camp community went to Pelican Lake to watch 24 campers be baptized. Ross Jutsum, coordinator of music at SEP, led the assembly in singing "Amazing Grace" before the baptisms.
During the final chapel, Mr. Rogers urged the SEP family to share the good news of what Jesus had done at SEP, and what he has done through time. His message was a call for personal evangelism.
Each activity at SEP had a Christ-centered message. It didn't matter whether it was softball, all terrain biking, or the newly constructed challenge course--each activity focused on Jesus or the principles he taught.
"The greatest human agents of change at SEP are always the counselors who spend 24 hours a day with the campers," Mr. Egbert said. "Clearly those who answered the call to serve in this capacity this year believed they were divinely appointed for the task."
For the final banquet, Rick Peterson and the dance staff
transformed the gymnasium into an elegant banquet hall. The Food Service staff, anchored
by department manager Gretchen Garey and supported by Big Sandy residents Helen McGiver
and Glenn Roberson, prepared the meal. Shasta Kalin, office manager, led an effort to
create a special atmosphere for the campers on this, their final night.
In his opening remarks for the evening, Mr. Rogers reminded the assembly of the high priority that the WCG places on youths.
Awards were then presented by Dan and Barbara Rogers and Barb Egbert, assistant director, to participants in musical endeavors, as well as outstanding participants in activities and within the dorms.
Finally, awards were presented to campers selected for the Extra Mile award, the Inspirational award, and the director's award.
Florida's Jordan and Adam Brown were selected for the director's award, and received an automatic opportunity to return to SEP in 1999 to serve on the high school staff.
Floyd and Mardell Kielczewski, director and assistant director of the facility in Orr, were presented with a plaque for their 34 years of service to SEP.
At the end of the dance, Mr. Rogers led the camp benediction. As the campers filed out to prepare for their departure, the staff sang a highly emotional "Til We Meet Again." Two hours later, more than 260 of those assembled were on their way to the Minneapolis, Minnesota, airport for their flights home.
SEP 1998 was truly a rousing success. Many either came to Christ or rededicated themselves to him. As the last bus left for the airport early in the morning of July 31, the northern lights flickered overhead. It was as if God was saying, "This is my beloved camp, in which I am well pleased."
Photos by Reva Keyster, Iris Beloso and Michael Alaniz.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998