Summer Camps

I am writing this blog post from my cabin at Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose, Texas. This is the third camp this summer that I have the privilege of attending and serving as the speaker. It is the first time ever that I do that many camps in one summer. It probably won't happen again in the near future. Either way, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for these very special opportunities.




The first camp I was honored to serve this summer was our very own children's ministry's Camp Tejas. This camp is a collaboration of Calvary Baptist Church, McAllen, First Baptist Church, Brenham, & First Baptist Church, Longview. Over 300 boys and girls attended. Many of them made professions of faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord and a significant number surrendered to God's call on their lives for vocational ministry or career missions. What a wonderful blessing!


Our very own Pastor Susan Sosebee directed this camp making sure that the children received a program of recreation, devotion, Bible Study, worship, missions & much more. Calvary parents and adult volunteers invested much on that week's experience. It is our desire that Calvary continue to provide this quality camp experience for our children. The church budget, the support of the camp fundraiser & the generosity of individuals made it possible for any child desiring to go to be able to do so. Praise God for that!






As Calvary's lead pastor I am grateful that I was able to speak to our own children and the children of the other two churches.






While some pastors get the support of their church to preach a couple of revivals a year, I had the opportunity to serve as evangelist for two other camps. I am grateful for that also!

Last week I had the privilege of speaking at a Hispanic youth camp at Mt Lebanon Baptist Encampment in Cedar Hill, Texas. About 25 churches from around the state sent their students to this 'campamento.' This year about 400 campers attended. This was an occasion with sentimental value. Ten years ago this camp was launched as an idea born in the hearts of three friends, including me. As the camp celebrated it's 10th anniversary, we saw about a dozen teenagers give their life to Christ, another 30 make rededication commitments and 28 surrendered to ministry or missions. On Wednesday afternoon we sent out all 400 to the city of Arlington to minister to children in low income apartment complexes. Several children trusted Christ during this outreach. (The 110o weather did not hold back God's blessings!) God is good!






I am the camp pastor this week for a boys (RA's) group grades 1st through 6th. It is a camp sponsored by the Tarrant Baptist Association and about a dozen churches bring their boys to it. This year there are about 260 campers, which is significantly down from previous years. So far this week there have been several boys who have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord. I look forward to the last two full days of camp tomorrow and Friday. The camp concludes Saturday morning.




As I get ready to wrap up this round of summer camps there are several things that I am mindful of:

• How significant is the support of the local church for the success of these camps.
• What an eternal impact children and youth camps can have on the lives of young ones.
• What a privilege it is to harvest the seeds that Sunday school teachers, parents and others have planted in the hearts of young people. We are so indebted to the faithful work of church members.  
• How important intercessory prayer is in children and youth ministries. I can literally feel the difference when people have been praying!
• What a great blessing it is to have adult volunteers and parents who invest a week of their summer serving as camp sponsors or leaders.

May we continue to pray for and invest in the lives of youth and children this fall and spring. Discipleship is a year long process!


I look forward with anticipation at all the things that will take place in the life of out church during the 2011-2012 year.