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Jon Paul was a camper when I was a young program director . He wrote me a note when he was 15 that I have kept in my wallet to this day . It reminds me that what I do matters , and I can make a difference spiritually . Young people are watching me . Jon Paul said , “ Thank you for allowing God to have his way in your life and letting Him live His life through you . . . .” He wanted to spend more than just one week with me in camp ministry , so he joined my summer staff and worked for ten consecutive summers ! He was a remarkable and gifted staff member that impacted hundreds of children who came to our campus . Today , Jon Paul is a camp director in West Tennessee and considers me one of his spiritual mentors . We enjoy serving together a few times every year . A moment together during a week of camp started a friendship that lasted and grew for over 30 years . One program director living the life before him and sharing God ’ s truth with him resulted in Jon Paul following the same biblical principle at his camp , living the life and sharing God ’ s truth with this generation . Discipling young people
today will result in more faithfulness in this generation and in the generation to come .
This is why many parents , children ’ s pastors , and youth pastors consider camps as one of their greatest tools in discipling their children . A week or a weekend away can accomplish more than months of meeting once a week in a church building . A theme can be developed during camp , verses will be memorized and explained , and a biblical worldview will be strengthened . A decision can be made in a quiet time sitting under a white oak tree reading the Bible or in corporate worship where the Bible is taught . A heart can be mended . Secular worldviews can be identified and eliminated . Comfort can be found . Grace can be embraced . The next spiritual step can be taken . Camp provides that opportunity to disciple . It happens on the zipline and the
Jon Paul Moody , Executive Director of Covenant Ranch , Buchanan , Tennessee , and his wife , Erin .
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•••• ropes course . It happens in the cabin devotions and chapel . The atmosphere at camp provides spiritual clarity in a powerful way .
Take advantage of the unique opportunities at camp as you disciple your children ! Get in God ’ s creation with your family and hear that whisper from the Creator . Help your children take that next step in their faith journey . Expose them to a staff who love Jesus to the point they want every child to know and experience Him . God moments are waiting . I ’ ll meet you at the zipline ! ■
Dave Sekura is the Executive Director of Manderley Christian Camp and Conference Center , or MC4 , in Pikeville , Tennessee . He and his wife , Stephanie , have been serving in camping and sports ministry since 1989 . They enjoy one daughter , Allison , who is a senior in college playing soccer . In addition to directing the camp , Dave often speaks for churches and Christian schools .
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