2025 Hope in Jesus Summer Bible Camp
Celebrating our successful Bible camp and outstanding team of volunteers
by Rebecca Evans, Director of Youth Ministry
God designs each of us with purposeful spiritual gifts, which we use to serve His Kingdom by serving others. Hope in Jesus Summer Bible Camp was a wonderful opportunity for a team of 12 volunteers to demonstrate God's love to 12 campers, who ranged from Kindergarten to 5th grade. In addition to parents who stayed on campus to help supervise their kids, I would like to acknowledge how valuable each volunteer was in creating a space where kids could learn, play, and grow in the Lord.
So much love goes into planning a menu, preparing food, and serving it to others--this ingredient of love was notably present in each day's fare provided by our "Kitchen Crew": Sara, Diane, Monica, Leo, Christine, Cristie, and Becky. Sara's delicious food choices (as well as Diane's famous cupcakes and Monica's tasty potato salad) provided campers with fun and healthy alternatives to take-out. Thank you all for fueling our bodies with energy while also feeding our spirits!
Hope's congregation is blessed with professional educators, both current and veteran--and our camp volunteer team reflected that. Each leader brought their own unique passion and expertise to the camp experience. All grade levels were cared for and lovingly looked after by people eager to interact and involve the kids in meaningful, Christ-centered activities.
A highlight for campers is seeing their mentors act silly or wear costumes to perform Bible stories in an interactive way that brings the Word to life for them. Pastor Aaron, as Pharaoh, memorably commanded the camper "slaves" to build and rebuild structures as he knocked them down with his staff; Leo, as Moses, showed up and demanded, "Let my people go!"; the "slaves" followed Moses across the parted Red Sea; Pharaoh chased after them and was overcome by the "waters" spread over him by fun-loving volunteers Rene and Erin. Dawn assisted with props and sound, augmenting the activity.
Dennis set the scene for an epic drama in the parking lot by providing a boat, a fan, and MANY full buckets of water. The tension built as Pastors Aaron and Wendell, portraying disciples, got into the boat with Leo (as Jesus--looking rather authentic with long hair and a white robe). As the Gospel story of the storm on the sea was narrated, these actors committed 100% to their roles. The campers grabbed hold of the boat and shook it as the fan/wind blew. Then everyone threw buckets of water at the "disciples," drenching them in powerful "waves." Dennis prolonged the fun by encouraging the actors to extend the scene while the campers used up every bucket of water! Finally, Leo/Jesus commanded the wind and waves to "be still," and everyone ceased. Talk about a visual and mental snapshot the kids will remember!
To illustrate the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Rebecca dressed up as a shepherd carrying her trusty sidekick, her sheep plushie. She narrated the story, explaining who the Good Shepherd is and what He would do if one sheep went missing from the flock. To emphasize Christ's love for every one of His children, Rebecca involved the kids in an illustrative game. Some campers played Hide and Seek, being sheep hiding around the room, and the "shepherd" leaving the "99" to find the "lost." Meanwhile, other campers and volunteers were in the "pasture," forming a celebration tunnel to welcome "home" each found sheep with cheers of joy, just as the Lord, the Good Shepherd, would.
Pastor Wendell led the music team of Becky, Rene, Erin, and Rebecca in preparing songs to teach to the campers. His years of service at Christian camps shone brightly as he enthusiastically taught everyone a number of fun praise songs during the week. These were matched to the theme of the day and repeated over the week to help "write them on the hearts" of our campers. For me personally, campfire praise and worship was the most powerful aspect of Christian summer camp when I was a student. I still remember the Word delivered through those songs all these years later. We pray the same for Hope's summer campers!
Rebecca and the volunteers helped lead crafts that segued into Dennis and Leo's learn-by-doing activities. The thought and care that went into planning--as well as the individualized attention given to our campers--was visible as every volunteer came alongside each child and helped them discover their unique potential and realize that, yes, they CAN do it! Thank you, everyone, for being so intentional in everything you did. Seeds of faith were planted and watered through these group activities.
Dennis, as you probably know, is the king of games. Pulling from his vast collection, he brought various games to involve the kids in outdoor fellowship time, whether a sporty activity on the court or a more mellow strategy game at a table. His curated options offered something for each age, personality, and preference. Rebecca also lives for games. Her indoor game party on the last day of camp featured inflatable horse races, brick-walking relays, and yoga ball relay races--each tied in to Scripture passages that pointed toward our source of hope: Jesus Christ. Laughter and excitement were enjoyed by campers and the volunteers who watched the "chaos" unfold. There is something beautiful about the sound of children's squeals filling a room, mixing with the laughter of adults, that makes for happy hearts.
Wrapping up Hope's camp with Leo's tasty BBQ dinner, s'mores, and singing by the fire was a perfect celebration of everything that God did with us that week. One camper mentioned that toasting marshmallows was her favorite part. Another said he enjoyed the wooden block game the most. Surely, each child would name something different if polled about their favorite moments. What's so awesome about the activity of the Holy Spirit is that we may not know specifically which activity is going to impact a child spiritually, or how it will affect their faith formation...but it is certain that He is working at all times, in all places, in all believers, in ways beyond our understanding.
We give glory to God for His love poured out at this camp into the hearts and lives of kids through the hearts and hands of Hope volunteers.