more disciple-making

I'm so excited to be jumping back in and talking a journey of disciple-making with two former summer staff.  They're both way past where they were the last time we were together (one's married and the other has a full-time teaching job).

My prayer and desire is that 1) Our time together would help us all follow Jesus.  2) That, after a time, they could be turned loose to disciple others in their spheres of influence.

Disciple-making continuing

I got a couple cool emails this week from past staff members who are still rocking the world for Jesus.  Here's some excerpts:

I met for the first time last week with 3 guys from my church. We are meeting Sunday morning at 8:30 at one of the guy's apartment a few blocks from the church (service starts at 10:00). Our first meeting we ate waffles, discussed our recent Bible reading, went over how God's been working in our lives, and prayed for each other. It was pretty informal, not sure yet how much more structure we will add in but I was pleased with our first meeting.

I learned that God really answers prayer even if it takes a while. I've been praying for young guys to rise up and take their faith seriously for some time now and I really hadn't been seeing much fruit....until [recently]. At retreat, 3 basketball players, 1 cross country runner, and 1 frat guy really came spiritually alive and are super eager to be "discipled." these guys have invited friends and we've started meeting on Monday nights to study the books of Timothy. As of last Monday, the group is me and 10 sophomores. Our sessions are very lively and filled with guys asking questions (3 of them have never read these books before!).

Camp Logo

A summer staff story shared a great story with me recently:

He had built a decent friendship with a fellow classmate who didn't know much of anything concerning the Bible, Jesus or the Good News.  But through this friendship the classmate knew that our staff member was a Christian.

At the end of one class his friend noticed the camp logo, both on his bag and another staff member's shirt.  (Two camp staff in the same class!  Hooray!)  His friend asked: "Do you guys go to the same church?"

Using that question, this staff member was able to explain what camp was all about.  Most importantly, he was able to explain the basics of the Gospel message clearly to his friend.  The conversation ended with an open door and invitation for future discussions.

Camper Applications

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!

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:

• “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? 

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.

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."