July 15-19, I attended the Generate 2019 Youth Camp in Estes Park with the students of Crestview. We had a great week with Roger Davis and his staff, being served by Camp Pastor Timothy Ateek and Worship Leader Jimmy Mcneal. I love youth camp and the way that we can deepen relationships with one another on the rec field, in worship gatherings, and Bible studies. Here’s a video highlighting the week made by Candice Gaeddert.
I was able to attend Youth Camp with our students this past week at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO. Our camp was put on by Generate (a program of YM360). It was a great week (as most camps typically are). Three things stand out:
I don’t know if you attend camp, but you’d be welcome to join us next summer as we head back to Estes Park for Generate 2019, July 15-19.
Got up early and got all of our stuff loaded into vehicles, headed to breakfast, then celebration. After camp, we left Denton around 10AM and were back in Hutch around 5PM. It was a pretty uneventful day of traveling for which we are thankful. Now, we are back at home. Vans are cleaned and returned and we are hoping for some rest as we recall all that God did in our lives.
Day 4 is drawing to a late close. Had a great night of worship and family groups, good service today on mission site and fun morning at Celebration.
Camp is wrapping up tonight with things being packed and the tearful farewells. We have really been encouraged this week to seek the Father and rest in His love. I am so grateful for the Gospel, which demonstrates God’s love for me and is my firm resting place. Pray for our students and leaders that we would relate to our Father in continual ways as we return to “civilian life” and step out of the camp scene. Also, pray for our safety (and safety of other groups) as we leave after celebration tomorrow AM.
Getting up on Day 4, I realized I forgot to summarize Day 3. (As always, remember you can check out Student Life Experience 2010 for updates on Celebration, Missions, Family Groups and Worship.)
We got up and after breakfast and QT had celebration. The students love Edwin’s Corner, a video short that makes everyone laugh. Chad Norris, our camp pastor, challenged us to be in God’s Word.
We headed to our missions site and prepped for the sports camp we are working at. There were tracks for cheer, baseball, football and soccer. It was great to get to know some new children and impart God’s love to them.
Then, we came back to get ready for the evening. Worship pointed us heavenward to a God who longs to relate to us.
Now, I’m getting up anticipating good things as God continues to work through us for His glory and our good.
I’m finally in after a busy day today. The first full day of camp is always full of excitement, challenges, and new things. Today was no different. (Check out Student Life Experience 2010 for updates on AM Celebration, Family Groups and PM Worship or to email someone here or send someone a gift card.)
The morning got going well. Since I have so many capable adults here with us, I was able to attend my first Family Group Leadership Meeting in 11 years of camp with Student Life, which was a great joy to know the emphasis for the day. Our particular emphasis today was REpent.
At any rate, after celebration, we went to our work site and had a good time there. I was really encouraged with the heart of our students in serving joyfully. I was very proud of them, especially with local banks saying the temp was near 110.
Evening worship is always a highlight as well. Chad Norris encouraged us to live lives that are offensive rather than defensive. The Christian life isn’t meant to be lived passively, but one we live by faith at great cost. Many students were encouraged by this and the testimony from the Compassion speaker.
We ended with church group time in a local coffee house. Good times all around and, with another full day coming, I bettered sign off.
Our morning began by checking out of the hotel and heading to The Village Church’s Flower Mound campus. The service began at 9AM with Matt Chandler greeting and welcoming us and the worship team leading out in Marvelous Light. Chandler returned and preached a sermon on Colossians 3:22-4:1 on slavery in the NT (audio and a position paper). The worship team returned singing You Alone Can Rescue, Stronger, and O God of Our Salvation.
As for camp, you can read news online. We had orientation, family groups and evening worship. Chad Norris, the camp pastor, challenged us to be followers of Jesus and not just believers who get heaven some day. Tomorrow, things continue to roll in the heat here as we have full days of camp.
We arrived here in Dallas Metro around 5PM (after getting away from Hutch around 9:30AM). Pretty uneventful traveling.
We went and grabbed supper at Chipotle and then walked around a mall a bit and now, some are on a WalMart run while some of us are just resting at the hotel. What brings us here? Student Life Missions Camp 2010. In previous years, we’ve done missions camp and been involved in various projects. This year, we get to serve a local church who are putting on a kid’s sports camp. Of course, we’ll have Student Life to lead us as our church serves in this way.
Parents, you may want to visit Student Life Experience 2010 (if it doesn’t log you in, select our camp location Texas Women’s and Date Aug 1-5). At this site, you can email your student (or one of the adults with your group) words of encouragement or send them gift cards, as well as stay updated on the happenings of camp. I’ll have some updates here as well.
Finally, we look forward to the morning. We are visiting the Flower Mound Campus of The Village Church (where Matt Chandler pastors). Pray for a good morning for us there…(we’ll be thinking of you as well). Blessings.
I thought I would combine all the posts on this one page so that others could easily view all the content.
Camp Pastor: Neil McClendon
Music Leader: Billy & Cindy Foote
We were also Group of the Day one day.
Today was the final day of camp. We got up early, loaded up the vans, (I drank lots of coffee), grabbed some breakfast, and went to morning celebration decked out in our silver, for the final day with our mission site coordinator. Good time there. Billy and Cindy took us out with Knees Are Bowing. We were dismissed and got on the road, arriving back in Hutch around 3PM. We had an uneventful ride home, for which we thank God.
So, what things emerged to me this week?
1) I was encouraged to be bold in preaching through Neil’s solid leadership.
2) I was exhorted to God-centeredness in the song portion of our services through Billy Foote’s amazing music.
3) I was challenged to serve by Student Life’s staff, as they willingly decreased so that our group could increase. I’m praising God for them.
4) I was warmed through good Christian fellowship with old friends and new. My good friend Dale Baker was there and I was able to meet some new friends in youth ministry and on Student Life’s staff. Furthermore, our group was excellent in discussing the gatherings and reviewing what stood out.
5) I was excited to see God’s Word produce fruit again. While there were many tools God used, if God hadn’t moved by His Spirit, it would have been and empty and futile gathering. God’s Word was lifted up and produced fruit.
I am looking forward to another year of camp next year and am prayerfully considering what God would have us do.
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