Happy Campers

Every summer (and fall, winter, and spring) JJ spends a majority of his time planning camp for our junior high and high school kids at Shiloh. We took 50 high school kids to Farragut State Park to camp out for a week. It involves  swimming, water sports, volleyball, Frisbee, night games, sharing meals together, singing, and learning about Jesus. It's a blast  and a blessing to be able to get to know students better. We also get to know ourselves better which is something we forget to do as we get so busy with work and school. 

By far, the best part about this camp is what it evolved into as the week progressed. As leaders we didn't have a lot of direction and decided that we were going to try and not make camp so programatic. We often lose ourselves and in the methods we use to get kids to think about Jesus and how we relate to him. So we decided to ask God to take control of the camp (cue: "Hey Captain Obvious!") and when we let go and allowed him to do that, amazing things happened. Truth was shared among friends and enemies, reconciliation took place, grace was given, and our relationships with each other and God were strengthened. I speak for a lot of people when I say that it might have been the first time I have ever truly felt that I accepted the presence of God at a camp. I have felt him in the midst before, but this might have been the first time I could visibly see God moving in his people and his will being carried out by his people. High schoolers are amazing human beings and have a great capacity to change this broken up world with the love they have for God.

A closing note: Thanks to JJ for being a humble leader and allowing God to take over this ministry that he is so invested in! Check out some pictures to the right.