Year: 2014

This update is from Rod Matthews, GCI mission developer in South Asia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

India: SEP Hyderabad

Our church in Hyderabad, India conducted Summer Educational Program (SEP) 2014 in May with 40 campers age 10 to 15 and 8 staff members. Most of the campers were from Faust School and friends of children in our church. The three days of the camp were packed with activity, including rock climbing (pictured at right). Each day also included a Bible study and value education. The children were taught stories that illustrate God’s love and how he makes it possible for us to live in relationship with him.

Pastor Dan Zachariah taught the children how to journal their thoughts—reflecting on how they spent each day. Campers were taught public speaking and had opportunity to deliver speeches.

The importance of community service and being environmentally conscious were made known to the children who surprised us by picking up garbage and taking care of cleaning jobs that people usually don’t like to do in the community (see picture at left).

New Zealand: National Pastoral Conference

(Report from Dennis Richards, GCI-New Zealand national pastoral coordinator)

Pastoral team members from GCI-New Zealand plus invited guests from around the Pacific gathered for a conference in Wellington, New Zealand in July. The 28 participants enjoyed fellowship and being reminded of the scope and diversity of the work in their portion of “the field.”

Conference presentations centered on the theme, “GCI’s part in Aotearoa New Zealand,” celebrating the bicentenary of the first preaching of the gospel in New Zealand on Christmas Day 1814, and the establishing of a mission outpost. Samuel Marsden, an English missionary resident in Australia, had been invited by Ruatara, a chief of the area. Marsden preached from Luke 2:10, “Behold I bring you tidings of great joy….” The GCI conference rehearsed this history as a backdrop to discussing GCI’s place in spreading the gospel within New Zealand and elsewhere today.

The weekend began with an address from Joe Tepania, a local kaumatua (elder and leader) who reflected on life and progress, Christian and otherwise, seen from a Maori perspective. Fundamentally important is to know and value one’s roots (whakapapa: historical and cultural connections that define us) yet pioneer new paths as a gift (koha: gift of the heart, in good faith) to those around, and who follow after. His thought-provoking talk laid a beautiful platform for what followed.

Rex Morgan (Auckland), then reviewed Christianity’s history in New Zealand. Early evangelism, mostly Maori passing the message amongst themselves, resulted in around half of all Maori becoming Christian within about 40 years. War and blood feuds became rare, agriculture flourished and living standards rose. Sadly, land-hungry settlers fomented the great land wars of the 1860s with subsequent disenfranchisement and disillusioning of Maori causing a great many to abandon the Christian faith.

During the afternoon of the first day, everyone joined the Wellington congregation in worship services. Rod Matthews (Australia) gave the sermon, drawn from the story of Jesus meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). This extended the weekend’s theme, confirming that God uses the most unlikely evangelists and methods to further the work of the gospel.

Louis Smith (Wellington) began Sunday’s sessions with a thoughtful reflection on the transformation necessary in Peter’s life before he could preach to Cornelius’ household (Acts 10), and the adjustment challenges that must have caused for both Jews and Gentiles. Next, Dennis Richards (Palmerston North) provided a visual presentation of results from a “Core Values Audit” and discussed several of the implications for future directions. David Wong (Auckland) then summarized and wrapped up some of the threads of the weekend’s discussions, emphasizing how individual spiritual health and maturity is essential to GCI’s part in the New Zealand mission field. The afternoon finished with Rod Matthews leading in communion.

It was a joyous and thought-provoking weekend of discussion and interaction. Much remains to be done, however. Please pray that appropriate and timely initiatives will emerge, so that we in this land will better understand and fulfill “GCI’s Part in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Myanmar: Discipleship Course goes to the printer

Van Thawm Lian has completed the translation and editing of our basic 10-lesson course in Christian beliefs, called Discipleship 101 on our website. It was Van’s goal to print 2000 copies–enough to meet the expected demand from pastors and Christian church leaders in northern Myanmar. Our New Zealand church board provided NZ$2,000 to meet this goal. We are grateful that we’ve been able to achieve another target in creating tools to assist the spread of the gospel and the making of disciples of Jesus Christ in Myanmar.

As with so many projects in which we are involved in the Asia/Pacific area, we are sowing seeds where we may not see the results immediately, but others will harvest in due course after God gives the growth and the Holy Spirit touches the hearts and minds of people across this fertile land where the majority have grown up in the Buddhist religion.

Here are reports from several of the 20 U.S. camps sponsored by GCI Generations Ministries. Our thanks to all who selflessly gave their time and other resources to make these camps possible.

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Base Camp (NW)

Camp director Susan McNutt reports on this camp held in Oregon. It’s one of GenMin’s newest.

This year, 37 campers and 31 staff volunteers experienced one of the most transformative camps we’ve had. Ranging in age from five to seventeen, many campers came from unchurched homes, and the questions they had for our pastoral staff were both challenging and encouraging. The Superhero theme influenced every aspect of camp, from chapel services and games to T-shirts and backpacks. Our location may be rustic, but our relationship with the staff of the host facility continues to grow.

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Heartland SEP

This report is from camp director Todd Woods. Pictures and videos are posted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/HeartlandSEP/ and http://heartlandcamp.org/.

We had 90 campers (32 of them new), 107 staff members (great camper-staff ratio!) and seven baptisms! An unexpected blessing occurred when we learned that there were seven staffers who, on their way to SEP Scotland, were being denied a visa to stay in Scotland and had to return to the U.S. Although we were bursting at the seams, we agreed to have them join us at Heartland. They helped out with various staff chores including producing a promotional video and helping with our new website. We were greatly blessed to have them! Several staff members this year were new, having risen from the ranks of campers. We love to see the leadership baton being passed in that way!

Our “Jesus—Better Than a Superhero” theme carried throughout chapel services and a dance where many dressed as caped-crusaders. Campers and staff were treated to a magic show followed by an ice cream social. Once again, we held Camo Night, Camper’s Choice, and Praise and Worship Night. Christian Living classes covered the meaning of Communion and the doctrine of the Trinity. Other activities included swimming, archery, pottery, arts and crafts, website design, photography, target shooting, childcare for aspiring babysitters, drama and dance.

Gary and Cathy Deddo visited and commented that, “This is the way the body of Christ should look and function—all generations at work and play.” Heartland veteran, Pastor James Newby, shared the same feeling: “I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of many camps since the 1970s; this one was special. It was a microcosm of how the church should be 365 days a year: welcoming, loving, inclusive—a transformational time and place.”

The final chapel service was overflowing as parents arrived to pick up their children. God’s hand was in all the preparatory work as many obstacles were overcome through no effort of our own, but by his merciful and wonderful intervention. All hands left “tired but inspired,” looking forward to what God will do at Heartland next year.

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SEP Montana

This report is from camp director Tobe Johnson. Pictures are posted at https://www.facebook.com/SEPMontana?fref=ts.

SEP Montana is a mission-focused camp for kids age 8-17. It’s held on the banks of Holter Lake in a Montana wilderness campground. The site provides water, electricity and a pavilion that holds about 50 people. Everything else must be brought in: dorms, kitchen, health center, etc.—all to serve 117 campers and 59 staffers. 2014, our 8th year of operation, was a great success. The theme, “At the Movies: Superheroes” was unpacked in our theme song from the Superman movie, and the curriculum from Generations Ministries.

Our activities included tubing, jet skiing, Christian Living, arts/crafts, paintball, sapphire mining, team building, boat rides, wilderness skills, service projects, Montana animals in the wild (sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks) and movie time. Highlights of camp this summer included:

• 17 baptisms (both campers and staff)
• sponsorship from 40 sources in the surrounding community (churches, individuals, businesses and other organizations)
• one of our parents flew into camp in a helicopter to teach the class on Montana wildlife
• wake-boarding (over 50 kids participated)
• a camp store where kids could purchase snacks
• over 75% of the campers responded to an altar call—giving their lives to Jesus Christ, turning their “stuff” over to him by nailing it to the cross, or requesting prayer for various reasons—there were many tears of joy
• “the storm”—causing us to scramble to get off the water in a timely and safe manner, and then securing camp for the rough weather—it was quite a bonding experience—thankfully, no one was hurt

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SEP Rockies

This report is from camp director Sarah Miles. A video from the camp can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDWdQYx5DQ4&feature=youtu.be.

What a joy it was to share God’s ministry through the summer camp experience in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado! This year we had 60 campers and 40 staff members. Here are highlights:

• Extra time for morning devotions—campers spent more time in “quiet time,” while staffers watched a sermon video—these provided an awesome start to each day—the overflow of God’s love was evident
• An new discipleship program for veteran campers related to spiritual formation and being equipped for serving on staff—helping them experience that concept of Isaiah 58: “If you spend yourself on behalf of others…you will be like a well-watered garden…your frame will be strengthened”—what greater gift can we give a young person in today’s me-centered society than to teach them to serve others?
• The camp theme worked well (logo at right)—we focused on the victory that is ours in the Ultimate Superhero, Jesus—with him we can stand up under any burden, overcome any trial and live victorious lives
• As usual, the guy/girl day at camp was a big hit—gender segregated groups talked through the issues that young people face, seeking God’s principles, and not those of the culture around them

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The Harvest Camp

This report is from camp director Howard Blakeney. The Harvest Camp is one of GenMin’s newest camps. It’s based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

I’m thankful to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to be able to report that our start-up succeeded. It almost didn’t—we had financial challenges, among others. But God provided the needed resources for it to take place.

We were a small group—18 campers and staff. However, the Spirit was present in abundance! 90% of our campers were unchurched. Here are last-day comments from two of them:

• “I learned that we are adopted by our Father God, and I had never heard of this before. I now know what that means.”
• “I enjoyed finding out what my spiritual gifts are.”

Some parents called me following camp to report that camp was all their children were talking about! One said that their teen got his Bible out and started preaching! During one of our final worship sessions, we taught on baptism from a Trinitarian perspective and without an altar call or invitation, three youth asked to be baptized. We concluded camp by baptizing them in the Atlantic Ocean! We praise Jesus for entrusting these campers to our care!

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New Heights

This report is from camp director Dishon Mills.

2014 was a great summer for us. We welcomed 77 campers and 61 staff volunteers to beautiful Camp Mattatuck for a week of fun and spiritual growth. Campers participated in nature walks, archery, riflery, BMX bikes, volleyball, arts and crafts, fishing, swimming, ropes course, dance, skits, poetry, singing and canoeing. They also participated in an activity to design their own superhero, in keeping with the camp theme. Each day, campers prepared something new for “Showtime”—it seemed like each day their performances got better. This summer we placed additional emphasis on spiritual development. Three pastors led devotions daily for staff members. During daily chapels, a staffer or camper shared a testimony about why Jesus was his/her Superhero.

New Heights would not be complete without at least one rainstorm—a big one headed toward us this year. But we were prepared, and with the Boy Scouts helping, we executed a fairly complex plan to move every person staying in tents to cabins for the night. Everyone slept safe and dry. Thankfully, the storm lost much of its strength before it reached us.

At the end of camp we gave each camper and staff member an Olympic-style gold medal with the word “HERO” engraved on it. Since Jesus is our Superhero, he invites us to participate with him as heroes in our homes, churches, schools and communities. We wanted the campers to be motivated to participate with Christ in what he is doing around them. Each camper walked between two bonfires where staffers placed the medal on their neck and prayed for them.

Six campers and one staffer were baptized on the last day of camp. We would have baptized more, but some of the parents could not be contacted in time. Some campers said they’d get baptized back home.

The success of camp this year had a lot to do with prayer. Months prior to the start of camp, members of local GCI congregations began praying for each camper and staff member by name. This continued until the last day of camp and beyond. Many church members also sent a message of God’s love to a camper. It was extraordinary to see children who had never received mail get an unexpected card at camp letting them know how much they are loved!

Here is a video from New Heights (on YouTube at http://youtu.be/a2qsW4QTdSQ):

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SEP SoCal

We thought you’d enjoy viewing a recently-produced video promoting GenMin’s Southern California camp (on YouTube at http://youtu.be/1aEwy_cIj18):