Jr. High Camp Wrap-Up

Just finished the last chapel of Jr. High Camp, the kids are playing a night game and then it’s off to cabin time.  As I get ready to head down the hill in the morning I wanted to share some thoughts with you about this year’s camp.

• Hands down the best jr. high camp Palm Valley has ever been a part of.  For the past few years we’ve been renting out our own camp and doing our own programming. The Student Ministries team hit a home run in every way this week!
• 118 Jr. high’ers and their leaders creates a lot of energy, and a lot of fun.
• I’m so grateful for so many at Palm Valley who gave extra to provide scholarships for students who couldn’t afford it.  Let me tell you, your giving made a difference in young lives. I saw it first hand!!
• So proud of Jeremiah (jr. high pastor) and his wife Amber.  J’s developed into an incredible pastor, and he really shined this week. I love his heart for young people!
• Heard some very moving stories from kids who are facing really tough odds.  In all reality, Palm Valley is their “lifeline” of hope.  We’ve got to hang on to them!!
• I gave the students about 1/2 hour each night to ask me any questions they wanted. Some thought-provoking questions. It was cool to be able to speak into them about the up’s and down’s of my life.
• Loved doing the chapels each night. Our theme was “FLIP”. To change from doing life the world’s way to doing it God’s way. My three talks were…
  • Handling anger God’s way
  • Realizing how much God loves me
  • The cost of following Jesus
• Cool to see young people connect with God’s Word and make some hard life decisions. Pray for these students as they live out their faith in Christ!
• It was awesome to watch our High School band, Two Days ‘Til Tomorrow, lead worship for the camp.  I love that God is developing a generation of worshipers in our church.
• Loved letting the kids interact with my family. I think it’s eye opening for a lot of the kids to see how I treat my wife and kids. Many of them haven’t seen a healthy family model.
• So thankful for the youth mentors who took a week of their life to come invest in teens.  They gave it all this week to make an impact on these students. Loved their heart!  Many of them are High School students in our ministry who are now pouring into the younger students.  Made me a proud pastor!
• Darius and Nicole have done an awesome job of leading the youth department!
• About 15 kids gave their life to Christ on Wednesday night.
• Tonight I asked the kids who were willing to “deny themselves, pick up the cross and follow Jesus” to stand up. Very moving to pray over a room of students who are falling in love with Jesus and passionate about serving Him!
• Melonie Witt came as camp nurse. She was awesome!!  Thanks Mel for loving on kids when they get boo-boos
• I’m so excited for our church, these kids are going to lead us in winning the west valley for Christ!!
• Parents: your students need you to bring God’s Word into your home, to read it with them, to teach them, to help them understand. 
• Can’t wait for High School camp. Parents, get your kids signed up!!
• Very tired, going to sleep now