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I'll Stay - The Heart of a Camp Counselor

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Eleven years ago I was a Junior in College. And I was in contact with a camper I had during the summer. This often happens, especially with older campers. They continue to reach out and want the connections they made during the summer. This particular connection climaxed in October in the middle of the school year when it became clear that her life was no longer safe to live and she was done. No one is truly equipped for these moments, especially not a college student, but this was a moment I was called to in my dorm room in the midst of my busy college life I was called to be the one who would make the call so that she could live. Wednesday, she turned 24! God is good! There have been many defining moments in my ministry career and many defining names that I will never forget, but the one that always seems to be the biggest is this one. That moment when I was called out of everything that was comfortable in my life to help, to be present, to listen to a young soul that was crying out ...
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Worship Wednesday - Do Not Worry

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 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" - Matthew 6:25-26 Do Not Worry - Ellie Holcomb I have always been a worrier, so this has always been at the top of my favorite scriptures. I can find it even without remembering the numbers because I have turned to it so many times. Normal life gives us enough circumstances to worry and be anxious, living through a Pandemic just adds another level. Every decision we make right now has to be weighed with the potential consequences of contracting the virus. It is really hard not to live in fear. I know I don't freely run into Walmart anymore and wander around. I get in and get out, and if at all possible I order it so...
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Worship Wednesday - New Today

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 For the past few weeks, I have heard my four-year-old say the words, "I hate my..." and it breaks my heart and makes me mad because it never fails it is something she is very blessed to have. This morning when she decided she didn't like her shoes anymore because her sock was twisted, I knew we had to find a new perspective. And as I talked to her, I realized I have been doing the same thing.  It has been six months, almost seven since camp was filled with people. It has been almost four months since I ate in the dining hall. I miss the counselors and the campers. I miss the noise. I actually miss all of the car doors shutting right in front of my house during naptime. Ok, maybe I don't miss that but I do miss the people. I haven't seen a quilter since February. I find myself staring at the walls in the Welcome Center struggling to find a reason to even be at work today!  This morning, I decided that I needed to teach my daughter how to be grateful. A lesson, tha...
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In the Waiting

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Waiting for the Governor to make her announcement was a time filled with hope and encouragement. We were still taking camper registrations, and God was clearly pointing us in that direction. We shut down all operating as all of our retreats canceled, and our normally busy time of the year came to an abrupt stop. But even then it felt like God was telling us to keep praying, keep hoping, keep moving forward toward a summer at camp. It was during this time that God led me to read Praying Circles by Mark Batterson. Our summer theme is prayer, and everything around me seemed to be in the theme of prayer. God was making it clear that I needed to enter into a season of prayer. So I took the time of nothing else to do, to read this book, and learn what God was pushing me to. It was while reading this book that I felt the nudge to begin prayer walking around camp. With the bold prayer of a 2020 summer camping season. For 21 days I have walked at 6am with God praying for Camp, the pieces that...
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This is How We Fight

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This past couple of months have felt like we were preparing for war. A spiritual war, but a war nonetheless. We have been working hard to prevent this war, and preparing just in case. As a camp we have hunkered down in all the necessary ways to protect ourselves and these hallowed grounds to be used for the ministry we were created for. We have spent hours in prayer and fasting discerning what and where and when we are to move forward. There have been many divine moments of answers, nudges, gifts, and incredible weather. The enemy is still working just as hard to win this war. We have had many patrons on our trails and it has been good to see people out enjoying the weather. Each time someone doesn't follow the rules it feels like a blow, because we are trying to remain open to serve people now but ultimately our campers this summer. It felt like the sun stood still on Thursday night as we listened to the Governor's address for Kansas. Her answer was a mixture of good news ...
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Prayers for our Director

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Today seems like the perfect day to lift up our Director Joel Wilke in prayer. Today is his birthday. So as you pray for him, please send him some virtual birthday love as well! Lord, today we lift up Joel. We lift him up as a leader, a father, a husband, and as your child. These past 11 years that he has been at Camp we have seen miraculous things happen. He has listened to you and sought your guidance through all these years. He is isn't afraid to dream with you! Today we pray that he continues to seek you and feels your peace during these uncertain times. He has big decisions to make this week and we pray for his heart as he decides what to do with this summer. We know he is thinking about each and every camper, money, staff members, and his own family. This is a large load to carry and he carries it gracefully with you. Thank you Lord, for your servant Joel and his dedication to you and this camp, and the ministry we do here. Bless him today on his birthday, may he feel your ...
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Prayer for Counselors in Training

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Today we have a special prayer for our Counselors in Training. This prayer comes from two of our beloved Camp Pastors. Pastor's Ross & Amanda Baker.
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