Summit Camp

This last weekend, our high school students as well as the students from the Bridge in Decatur took off for Northern Indiana for our weekend high school camp. The Summit was the first event that Phil and I participated in at the Bridge last year. It was incredible to look back on all that God has done in us, for us, and through us since then.

It's hard for me to find words for this weekend. It's hard for me to find words for youth ministry in general. So many times I get frustrated with going to the basketball games...making copies...planning silly games...because I wonder if it all even matters. I wonder when I'm going to start "making a difference." It's taken a year to see that all these little things are what get to the "big moments." I am so impatient. But this weekend was one of those times it all came together, and it didn't only benefit our kids. It changed me, too.

Gabe decided that during our Anderson time, he would go around the circle to each student and have the others share what they loved about that person. This was huge...and different from most responses that I would have guessed, like, "I think you're funny." But our students took this opportunity to show love to each other in a real way...saying real things...speaking greatness into each other's lives. It was amazing to watch.

The theme for camp was "Transformed," with sessions centered on transforming our minds, actions, and heart. One session, the youth pastor from Decatur opened up a "Prayer Chair." Here, the students, if they want to, could go sit in the chair and tell their story...tell the others what they needed prayer for. And then after they shared, any student that wanted could come and pray with them.

Here is where I was changed. In hearing story after story of these students...dealing with things so hard to hear about...and then watching as their peers rushed forward to surround them and intercede for them. As I sat at one of my girl's feet and prayed for her, her tears kept falling on my hands. My breath was taken at the beauty of God's church. His real church. And I got one of those brief glimpses of what is lovable about us to God.

There are so many stories to tell. So much love for our kids here...I love watching them develop...love watching them fall in love with Jesus Christ. Love watching as they figure out who they are...where they are gifted..and start to get passionate about other people finding the same things.

Here are the videos from this camp (made by Phil Larson! :)