IBC Beach Camp 2012

It always happens.  Summer comes and goes and you wonder where it went.  I can be guilty of moving so fast I forget to push the pause button and think about all God is doing, that’s certainly the case for our middle school and high school camps.

This year was a little different for me.  I was at the beach camps in a support / oversight role and less of a hands on role.  Being in that role allowed me to see from a different perspective.  


Here are 3 quick (well, maybe not so quick) observations from our middle school and high school camps.

First of all, our student ministry staff is passionate for Jesus and kids.  Trey and Sasha (our middle school and high school pastors) both exhibited a huge heart for students as they led throughout the week.  Their ability to discern how God is moving and lead effectively was amazing.  I can’t say enough about Mary Ann.  She stayed the whole week and served well to make sure everything ran smoothly.  God has blessed IBC with a gifted staff and interns who long to see God change students from the inside out.  Our team isn’t satisfied with behavior modification, they long to see life transformation that only comes through the supernatural work of the gospel.

And wow, our adult volunteers.  From our kitchen crew to our small group leaders, camp doesn’t happen without them.  You have to eat don’t you?  Lisa Elliot, Jill Asibelua and Pat O’Reilly stayed for both camps and served meals the entire time.  What a blessing to have them take care of physical needs so the others could focus on the spiritual.  Leaders like Stephen Dean have been with their group of students since middle school, they have now graduated and he spent this camp continuing to point them to Jesus.  His faithfulness has proven to be so important in their lives.  Godly adult leaders are always key for effective ministry at IBC, this year’s camp was no different.

Finally, we have a unique group of students.  David Mcneely, our high school camp speaker, kept sharing with me and others how unusual (in a positive way) our students are.  As you listen to their stories it becomes obvious that God has and is doing something powerful in them and through them.  Five of our high school students stayed for the  middle school camp to serve as small group leaders.  Watching them serve and pastor those a little younger was a highlight for me.  It’s refreshing not only to see them passionate about Jesus as they worship, but also to step away and see God’s faithful work happen in their lives over time.  He is good.

These few verses seem to sum up much of what I’m feeling and experiencing.  Romans 12 was taught in the main sessions but this Psalm seemed to keep working it’s way into our conversations.

Psalm 145
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

God is using IBC to speak of the greatness of God to the next generation.  The next generation isn’t just next it is current.  As we faithfully invest in their lives they in turn will “speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty”.

For those of you who prayed, thank you so much.  Through praying you were a huge part.  God truly did a unique work and will continue to move.