The last full day of camp was a blast. The service was even more incredible. The message was on preparing the way. Jason used the life of John the Baptist. He talked about the sacrifices that John the Baptist made to serve. He then challenged the students to reach the lost. The altars were full with students crying out to God. Many of our students were at the altar again.
At the conclusion of the altar time, we moved down to the lake area to observe communion as individual youth groups. Pastor John led this time for our group and it was very moving. After receiving communion, we had the kids share what God had done this week. Our students told how God set them free from past hurts, rededications, challenged to take their walk with God deeper, etc. Then, I had the students gather around Pastor John and Rachel and pray for them. We finish the time by joining hands and praying for our group.
I love camp. I'm praying that what happened here this week is the beginning of great things.
The Best Is Yet To Come
Showing posts with label Youth Camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Youth Camp. Show all posts
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Youth Camp Report - Day 3
Great services last night. The band started the night singing "I am free." At the conclusion of the worship set, the band sang an original song called "Portrait." It was written out of a missions trip to New Orleans to help Katrina victims. As the band sang the song, video of Speed The Light vehicles in action flashed on the screen. It was very moving. At the conclusion, an offering was received for Speed The Light. Speed The Light is the youth missions arm of the Assemblies of God. It provides transportation and communication for missionaries all around the world.
Last night's message was on being a community of compassion. Jason took us on a journey from Peter's denial to the day of Pentecost. He said that in the beginning that Peter was selfish. When he received the Holy Spirit, he became selfless. In fact, the whole early church did. Acts 2:44-45 (NIV) states "All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
Following the message, there was a call for salvation and a call to be filled or refilled with the Holy Spirit. The majority of our students went down. It was awesome to see them go after God.
It was another great night.
Last night's message was on being a community of compassion. Jason took us on a journey from Peter's denial to the day of Pentecost. He said that in the beginning that Peter was selfish. When he received the Holy Spirit, he became selfless. In fact, the whole early church did. Acts 2:44-45 (NIV) states "All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
Following the message, there was a call for salvation and a call to be filled or refilled with the Holy Spirit. The majority of our students went down. It was awesome to see them go after God.
It was another great night.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Youth Camp Report - Day 2
Yesterday was a great day! After my morning study time, I headed to lunch. After lunch, the students had a game time. I was able to jump in with the boys team for a game with fun noodles and a dodge ball. Lots of fun.
After team game time, it was free time. The guys go swimming while the girls are at the lake and then they switch after an hour. During Lake time, they have paint ball available. Several of us went and watched Pastor John in action. One of his hobbies is paint ball. He had the gear. He even at one point did a barrel roll.
After clean up time and dinner, it was time for service. The worship time was awesome. For me, one of the most powerful moment was when the worship leader stepped back from the mic and you can hear the voices of the packed house singing "How great is our God." The band was still playing, yet you could hear the singing over it. It was an authentic moment of worship.
The message last night was on God being our life coach. Jason Patterson led us through the story of Elijah and how God directed his steps. Even through the valley and mountain top experiences, God was still in control of Elijah's life. The altar time was incredible. Most of our students were in the altar. At the beginning of his message, Jason had challenged the students not to just sing songs that say things like "you're all I want" or "you're all I need", but to live our lives like we really mean what we are singing. He had two parts to the altar..one for kids that were going through valley times and another for those who were wanting to make the commitment to live their life fully committed to God where he is all they want or need. After an extended altar time, the worship band, Freely, concluded the time by singing two United Live songs "All I need is you" and "Fire Fall Down."
After service, I crashed the Youth Pastor's Fellowship. :) During the Snack Shack and Late Night time, the District Youth Department put on a fellowship to honor the Youth Pastors. The food was great.....especially the boneless Buffalo Wings.
The fellowship also consisted of an activity time. About 12 of us played FULL COURT basketball in the new Activity Center. It has been a couple of years since I've played basketball full court. I love basketball. I'm not any good, but I still love to play. It was a blast. I'm paying for it though today. I'm a little sore today.
Keep praying that this will be a significant week in the life of our students.
The Best Is Yet To Come
After team game time, it was free time. The guys go swimming while the girls are at the lake and then they switch after an hour. During Lake time, they have paint ball available. Several of us went and watched Pastor John in action. One of his hobbies is paint ball. He had the gear. He even at one point did a barrel roll.
After clean up time and dinner, it was time for service. The worship time was awesome. For me, one of the most powerful moment was when the worship leader stepped back from the mic and you can hear the voices of the packed house singing "How great is our God." The band was still playing, yet you could hear the singing over it. It was an authentic moment of worship.
The message last night was on God being our life coach. Jason Patterson led us through the story of Elijah and how God directed his steps. Even through the valley and mountain top experiences, God was still in control of Elijah's life. The altar time was incredible. Most of our students were in the altar. At the beginning of his message, Jason had challenged the students not to just sing songs that say things like "you're all I want" or "you're all I need", but to live our lives like we really mean what we are singing. He had two parts to the altar..one for kids that were going through valley times and another for those who were wanting to make the commitment to live their life fully committed to God where he is all they want or need. After an extended altar time, the worship band, Freely, concluded the time by singing two United Live songs "All I need is you" and "Fire Fall Down."
After service, I crashed the Youth Pastor's Fellowship. :) During the Snack Shack and Late Night time, the District Youth Department put on a fellowship to honor the Youth Pastors. The food was great.....especially the boneless Buffalo Wings.
The fellowship also consisted of an activity time. About 12 of us played FULL COURT basketball in the new Activity Center. It has been a couple of years since I've played basketball full court. I love basketball. I'm not any good, but I still love to play. It was a blast. I'm paying for it though today. I'm a little sore today.
Keep praying that this will be a significant week in the life of our students.
The Best Is Yet To Come
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Youth Camp Report
Greetings from Lakeview Camp in Maypearl. I love camp. It had a profound effect on my life as a teen and I've seen students completely changed by the power of God at camp over the years. I came to camp this week.
I stay in the lodge. I use the morning times (while the students and leaders are in separate meetings) to study, get ready for Sunday, check e-mail, etc. Then, in the afternoons, I'm with the students during the play times and I go to the services at night.
Last Night's service was amazing. Jason Patterson is the camp speaker. Typically on the first night of camp, you would hear a salvation/rededication type message. Last night was different. Jason talked about their being a need for the students to begin to discover God on their own. They needed to be able to have encounters with God on their own. He then told them that would be at the altar and gave them the anatomy of the altar. It was fantastic. At the end, he brought students forward that needed deliverance, salvation, etc. Half of our students responded. I was able to work my way through the crowd (There's over 900 here this week!) and find all of them to pray with them.
I will keep updating my blog with more camp reports throughout the week. Please pray for our students...Alexis, Brent, Coleman, Colton, Danielle, Destiny, Drew, John, Morgan and Tyler. Also, please pray for the leaders that came as well...Pastor John, Rachel and Amanda. I'd appreciate a few prayers as well. :)
I stay in the lodge. I use the morning times (while the students and leaders are in separate meetings) to study, get ready for Sunday, check e-mail, etc. Then, in the afternoons, I'm with the students during the play times and I go to the services at night.
Last Night's service was amazing. Jason Patterson is the camp speaker. Typically on the first night of camp, you would hear a salvation/rededication type message. Last night was different. Jason talked about their being a need for the students to begin to discover God on their own. They needed to be able to have encounters with God on their own. He then told them that would be at the altar and gave them the anatomy of the altar. It was fantastic. At the end, he brought students forward that needed deliverance, salvation, etc. Half of our students responded. I was able to work my way through the crowd (There's over 900 here this week!) and find all of them to pray with them.
I will keep updating my blog with more camp reports throughout the week. Please pray for our students...Alexis, Brent, Coleman, Colton, Danielle, Destiny, Drew, John, Morgan and Tyler. Also, please pray for the leaders that came as well...Pastor John, Rachel and Amanda. I'd appreciate a few prayers as well. :)
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