Visiting camp

Today, I took a trip down to camp.

Although I don’t get there as often as I would like, when I do it is often one of the highlights of my week. Today was no exception.

This week is younger boys week (9-14 year olds), which means lots of energy and lots of noise. It can also mean lots of attitude (usually a thin layer covering up some very sensitive often hurting hearts).

I spent an hour this morning sitting in on devotions with our counselors and JCs, while the young campers were in chapel with Vinny, our camp director. These are young men between 15-22 years old who are being discipled in our city programs and serve at camp during the summer and weekends throughout the school year.

Today, I had the privilege of listening to Terrell share with his peers what he has been learning about having confidence in the Lord (rather than in the flesh). He also shared about learning to trust God more while studying Psalm 23 and observing how God is fulfilling the role of “shepherd” in his life.

These lessons and insights carry even more depth as I reflect on Terrell’s testimony, less than a year ago, he was coming to Teen Haven Camp for the first time with a major chip on his shoulder. He was a professing Muslim (heavily influenced by a former foster family) and was seemingly resistant to the gospel while at camp. But on the bus ride home, his counselor (another teen) listened to his story and helped him find his way back to a relationship with Christ (he had accepted Jesus years before – before joining his Muslim foster family). Now Terrell is growing in his faith, learning to walk with Jesus, and sharing the hope of Christ with other kids from the city.

Please keep him in your prayers.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven