The last week of the summer one of our staff members led a skill group in which campers could practice being staff members. One part of this skill group was filling out staff applications. (They literally filled out our summer staff applications.) Some of their answers we're actually pretty cool:
In answer to how they became a Christian:
It happened at camp when I was 6. It was with Ashley, one of my favorite counselors. I was baptized in March of 2011. I could tell that I was closer to Christ after that. And that also made my Grandparents closer to him.
When I was a little girl I went to camp of champions. I always wanted to be a staff member. I didn't know about Jesus so I learned about it and I accepted him in my heart.
In answer to how they have been growing spiritually:
He has drawn me closer to Christ by meeting other Christians and having my mom help me through hard times.
He is teaching me how to not steal and lie. I lie a lot but he stopped me and I don't do it often. I became closer to God by learning about him in church!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Newsletter Article Sept 2011
At the end of a summer, one question we ask our staff members is How have you grown spiritually through your time at COCUSA? Their answers to this question are always very encouraging. This year in particular however, their answers blew me away. We literally have pages of staff quotes explaining how they saw God working this summer, both at camp and in their own lives. Here are few highlights:
We continue to see Camp playing a very instrumental role in the lives of high school and college students. We hire them as summer staff members and ask that they provide excellent, God-honoring service to our children and families. In turn, we see them blessed with a deeper relationship with God, closer fellowship with the body of Christ, and new skills and sharpened gifts to serve God wherever He calls.
We hired 133 young people in 2011, and we're praying God provides at least that many for the summer of 2012. Would you join me in praying for next summer's staff members?
- “I've become a more confident leader both practically and spiritually. I have learned to work along side fellow believers who have different personalities then myself. I have learned to be more dependent on God and His grace.”
- “I have been extremely motivated to share the gospel with others. Because I share the gospel at least once a week, I feel more confident and open about Christ when I'm with my non Christian friends.”
- “While praying about camp once over the summer God told me that he is calling me to children's ministry. That is what I am going to do in college and after that. Camp helped me come to that decision.” - High School Sophomore
- In addition to these quotes, multiple individuals mentioned that serving at camp was a catalyst that helped them spend increased time reading and studying God’s word each day.
We continue to see Camp playing a very instrumental role in the lives of high school and college students. We hire them as summer staff members and ask that they provide excellent, God-honoring service to our children and families. In turn, we see them blessed with a deeper relationship with God, closer fellowship with the body of Christ, and new skills and sharpened gifts to serve God wherever He calls.
We hired 133 young people in 2011, and we're praying God provides at least that many for the summer of 2012. Would you join me in praying for next summer's staff members?
Monday, August 22, 2011
11 Weeks Wasn't Enough
The last day of camp three of our female staff made it a point to connect with and spend the evening with about 6 of our older girl campers.
I was ready to go home when camp ended and call it a summer. It was pretty cool to watch these staff spend another 4 hours with campers... just to build relationships and be a Godly example.
I was ready to go home when camp ended and call it a summer. It was pretty cool to watch these staff spend another 4 hours with campers... just to build relationships and be a Godly example.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Bible over carpetball
A camper was reading his Bible while waiting in line to play carpetball at East Peoria.
When it came to his turn, a staff member offered him the chance to play, to which he responded:
"No thanks, I'm reading my book."
When it came to his turn, a staff member offered him the chance to play, to which he responded:
"No thanks, I'm reading my book."
Family members see the difference
A counselor ran into camper's older cousin.
This cousin told our staff member that the family could tell a definite improvement in behavior when this camper was attending camp.
This cousin told our staff member that the family could tell a definite improvement in behavior when this camper was attending camp.
Family Celebrates the Good News
On the second week of camp a boy at Pekin accepted Christ. It was so encouraging to see his family celebrate with him over the following weeks.
3 JC Good News
One week 3 junior counselors had the chance to lead the Good News with a group of younger girls. The site director followed up with the Bridge illustration. Through this good news presentation a younger girl accepted Christ.
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