Catching up

Caught up with a high school acquaintance today.  So random and cool that God was working in his life, when I didn't see any spiritual interest in his life in high school.  He's plugged in and serving at a local church, interested in giving, ... pretty cool to catch up.

Spring Newsletter

Title: Why do staff want to return to camp?
Sometimes it feels like the odds are stacked against us as we recruit summer staff.  We offer a ministry stipend instead of an hourly wage. Most high school and college students today have dozens of options for their summers, many of which are easier or attracting then spending a summer with COCUSA.  Yet every year God provides the staff we need.
In addition, every year we have a significant number of staff members return from the previous summer.  They've seen all a summer of camp holds, both the good and bad, and they still return.  Why is that?  Why do they return to camp?  We ask returning staff to tell us why they desire to return to camp when they re-apply. Here are some of their answers:
"Working at camp last summer helped me grow and mature a lot both socially and spiritually." (Male Junior Counselor)
"I have learned to rely on God so much since my first year. Being able to further my relationship with parents, campers and staff is very exciting."- (Male Site Director)
"Camp of Champions USA really impacted my life last summer and helped me to strive to be a better person who more fully relies of Christ so that I can lead the campers more effectively." - (Female Counselor)

"I feel led to share his word to the campers at COCUSA." - (Male Junior Counselor)

"I absolutely loved working at camp last summer. I feel that God is bringing me back to camp to continue the relationships I started with the campers and other staff members. I feel like I grew a lot last summer and I want to continue that growth this summer." - (Female Counselor)
Through impacting campers, staff members grow closer to God and more like Jesus.  Our hope is that  through staff training and the hands-on experience of the summer is that these staff members will be set up to follow Jesus in every area of their life.  Our prayer is that they would make disciples and share the Gospel where ever God puts them in life, and the next school year.

update on 3/3rds

This has been going really well.

I think the 7 components of 3/3rds disciple-making meetings are more important than the 3/3rds themselves.. so I'm going with it.  But the setting a goal of who to talk to about spiritual things (and then following up about it) has been great for me and the 2 guys I'm meeting with.

salvation army

Keegan Hanton stories, Brad has details

Discussing Disciple-making

Was able to chat with a former staff member about his opportunity to disciple people on his college floor as an RC.  We may have delved into similarities between Jesus-like disciple-making and the Jedi order.

maybe.

3/3rds Disciple-Making

I've been attempting disciple-making for awhile.. my first crack at a 3/3rds meeting was awesome.  Looking forward to seeing how God uses it.

chili supper feedback

What a great Chili Supper!! Everything seemed to go so smoothly, and I really enjoyed hearing from that family about their experiences. What a fun way to share about Camp. I am so glad I was able to attend... it was a blessing! Our pastor enjoyed it as well, and ____ are always praying about growth opportunities with Camp. I wish we could have connected with you there, but we couldn't stay for too long afterwards.

Thanks for all you do, Pheaney. The training Camp gave me completely altered the way I see God, people, and myself. I think about Camp a lot.. and am so thankful for the positive impact it had on my relationship with Christ! Currently, I am working as the Children's Ministry Director at ____.. and it is literally a mini Camp of Champions. We even did a snack craft last Sunday. ;) So I can't thank you enough for all you do as a full time staff member and just being such an example to myself and to ____.