Once again I write from Beulah JHA. It has been a wonderfully busy week here…the weather has been as perfect as one could ask, the kids are very well behaved, and my fellowship time with sponsors and other pastors has been excellent. We (clergy) have speculated on the identity of the next Bishop and solved most of the problems with the church at large! I’ve also experienced something really neat this week. We in the church talk of things like radical hospitality, welcoming, and nurturing, but I have seen it truly practiced by one church this week. This church has eight youth and an adult here and they have shown these kids the love of Christ. Each of the kids and the sponsor has received a care package and multiple cards from several members of the church each day while at camp this week. Some of the kids are here for the first time, and I am sure it makes a big difference to them knowing folks at their home church are supporting them with cards, prayers, and gifts. I am going to guess that rather than seeing these young people as children or as a problem to the church or community; they see them as a ministry and the future of their church...a resource to be tapped! In speaking with one of these young adults she (a 13 year-old) described her church as loving and vibrant. Wow! That is the church we all ought to be. I’ll be back Monday, from Sesser.
2 comments:
As a youth, I never attended church camp but I did attend G.A.A. camp and cheerleading camp and it was always good to get those letters from home. I wish I had thought of it while our kids where at camp. I'll try to do better next year! We had 13 go on the van Wednesday night to Bonnie! Looking forward to seeing you Sunday!
I look forward to being seen too!
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