When I was approached by one of my parishioners with the suggestion that I volunteer as a Spiritual Life Coordinator at Camp Pecometh in the summer of 2012, I was not thrilled at the prospect of spending a whole week away from the office and from my family. I prayed about it, hoping they would tell me that there were plenty of volunteers and that my help was not needed. That did not work, and in hindsight I am glad it did not.
Although I was reluctant in the beginning, it was a blessing and a privilege to be a part of the ministry of Camp Pecometh. I spent two weeks working with campers teaching the parables of Jesus. I also spent some time with the camp counselors and staff, helping them to deal with issues in their own lives.
As a Spiritual Life Coordinator I was responsible for leading a Bible study for different groups of kids (ages ranging from 9 to 16). I found them to be curious, open minded, eager to learn and actively searching for God in their lives. They asked tough questions of faith and they were not afraid to struggle with these questions.
During the Galilean service on Thursday, July 26, 2012 many of them shared their testimonies and stories of how they saw God’s presence in their lives and around them during their Camp Pecometh stay. Working with the campers and helping them to find answers to the questions of their faith, I saw God at work in God’s creation.
I also spent some time working with camp counselors and staff. I found them to be a dedicated group of young men and women with a clear understanding of God’s call on their lives and their missional response to it. They want to be at camp helping and working with kids, and in order to do so they put up with heat, long hours, bugs and other inconveniences. They like what they do, they want to be there, knowing that they make a difference.
Camp Pecometh is a wonderful ministry that makes a real difference in the lives of the young men and women who stay there.
The experience of God, the memories that they build, the knowledge that they acquire and the team building skills that they learn while there will serve them well for years to come.
What is more important, the effects of the ministry of Camp Pecometh will bear fruit not only in the lives of the campers, but also in the lives of everyone with whom they come in contact and in the lives of future generations of Christians.
On a personal note I want to add that I left the camp re-energized and encouraged. I saw God at work in the lives of these youth and staff, and it was a blessing to be a part of this ministry.
We know that Camps and Retreats aren't just one-time experiences - there are so many people for whom one visit was just the beginning of a whole lifetime of memories made at Pecometh! This fall we are featuring a few members of the Pecometh family, who have shared their Pecometh story with us. How many years has it been since your first Pecometh experience? Post a photo and let us hear your story!
Topics: Camp, Transforming the World