Showing posts with label summer camp. Show all posts

I read this quote from Almost Christian by Kenda Dean that reminded me of the immense value of camp:

"Spiritually, it refers to the discipline that some medieval theologians called detachment. Modern psychological theory uses this word to designate damaged relational bonds, but in the Middle Ages detachment was a term used by the church. It simply meant disentangling ourselves from whatever distracts us from Jesus Christ, so all of our attention- and all of our lives- may be fixed upon Him. The effect of spiritual detachment is liberation, freeing us from lesser allegiances so we can entertain new possibilities that Christ presents for us and for the world."

• Each of the first 50 Trinity students to register for a Collide Summer Camp will be entered into a drawing to have all camp fees waived!
• For each additional family member that registers, camp fees drop by $50. (For example, first child is $220, second child is $170, third child is $120, etc.) We know what kind of burden this can have on families, and we hope to at least lessen the blow with this price adjustment.
• The cost for "unchurched" friends that you invite to camp is $176, which is 20% off the Early Bird Price of $220.  
  

Wow, camp was unreallll. I would undeniably say that this year's middle and high school camps have been the apex of my four years here. Why? What stands out in my mind is the last night of each of the camps when we invited our students to share stories of how God had ripped them open the past week and ways he had healed them. 


And how the floodgates opened. 


Just a few testimonies we heard that night:


"I used to react in pure revenge when others would make fun of my skin color. Not anymore. The chains are gone- my identity is from Jesus."


"I have been crippled with shame and fear. But Jesus has freed from that...now there is nothing left to do but praise." 


"The last thing I wanted to do was come to camp. Now the last thing I want to do is leave."


"I'm ready to identify with Christ through baptism" (which we heard 15 times!!!)


"I feel like this was my last hope for church and solidifying if I even have faith in God. Well, I want you to know that my faith is now firmly placed in Christ."


"I had no friends here at Impact and it almost made me never want to come back. But I now have 5 or 6 friends that I would die for if I had to!"


Transformation is the name of the game for Collide Student Ministries. We are desperate to create a culture of life-change. This week solidified that goal as the ultimate mission. Thanks for all who were involved- it will never be forgotten in my spirit. 


We also want to reflect (and celebrate!) all that happened at camp. If you were at middle school camp, we have a reflections night tomorrow (Wed. night) from 6-7 p.m. The high school camp reflections will be from 8-9 p.m. In between those two will be a missions commissioning for our 3 student mission trips from 7-8 p.m. 


Love to see you there!

...are tonight! 

...can now be found on the Trinity website.

In case you haven't heard, our 2010 Summer Camp dates are officially set! (I promise!!!) We will be going to Camp FaHaLo, right outside Jackson. It's a beautiful camp (and we're excited about how close it is to the church!)

 1 "Come, let us return to the LORD. 
       He has torn us to pieces 
       but he will heal us; 
       he has injured us 
       but he will bind up our wounds.

 ² After two days he will revive us; 
       on the third day he will restore us, 
       that we may live in his presence.

 ³ Let us acknowledge the LORD; 
       let us press on to acknowledge him. 
       As surely as the sun rises, 
       he will appear; 
       he will come to us like the winter rains, 
       like the spring rains that water the earth." (Hosea 6:1-3)

Can't write for very long, but WOW Jesus is making our leaders and students new. Students are being restored, renewed, rejuvenated, freed...ya no words are really working here. Just know...I'm pumped. 

Keep praying. 

What a ridiculous night! We were only missing two leaders and 14 students of our over 130 leaders and students going. I could already sense the movement of God in the lives of students- seeing us as the community of God merge with the purposes and love of God. Beautiful stuff.

If you are not a part of our August 2-6 camp- we need you begging God to transform hearts. Ultimately, there is no other reason for why we do something like this.

If you are a part of camp- you're not going to know what hit you. Neither will I. That's the beauty of the God we pursue (and who pursues us!)

Peace.

Get your forms turned in for camp and mystery trip! Don't forget you only have until July 19!

I met with part of our leadership team last night and we came up with a way for incoming 9th graders to go to Impact Summer Camp 2009. And no...I'm not kidding. Read the following paragraph closely as I will lay out what this is going to look like. And please know spots will be on a first-come first-serve basis and will only be available for three weeks from June 28- July 19.  

...starts two months from today!