The following report is from Heartland camp director, Todd Woods.
This summer, we held Heartland SEP Camp at Eagle Crest Camp on the banks of the Illinois River. Our 93 staffers arrived Friday and prepared spiritually with a foot washing/communion service that set the tone for our “Living Loved” theme. Several new staffers were present, having been recruited through our new staff-in-training program titled C.R.E.W. (Coaching Real Enthusiastic Workers). Several staffers came to us from the Gateway to God camp in the St. Louis area. Gateway is taking a brief hiatus as they further develop their camp staff.
Our 99 campers arrived on Sunday. We offered them 25 camp activities, including such new additions as tie dyeing, origami, job search and sign language. A camp highlight was the prayer service we held mid-week. Campers and staffers brought their needs forward to the pastoral staff that laid hands on them and prayed. Throughout the crowd, campers (including young children) were laying hands on each other and praying without any prompting from the staff! On Saturday, many parents arrived in time to share the final chapel service, which included seven baptisms. Several staffers announced that they will be launching a weekend camping event in eastern Illinois. This multiplication is an answer to our prayers that the camp ministry spread to new areas.
