When you think about Living Waters Bible Camp you probably think about summer camp. Summer camp certainly is a highlight, but it only represents 2 out of the 12 months of camps ministry. Just a few days after campers and summer staff leave the valley, the Guest Group Retreat season begins.
The Retreat season runs from mid-August through May and will serve over 2,000 guests at camp. These retreat guests are a dynamic way for camp to partner with church and school ministries in reaching and training people for God’s Kingdom. We have many special relationships with these retreat groups but I would like to highlight just one, right now.
In mid-August, the Iglesia Adoradores de Cristo Youth Retreat, a group from a Hispanic church in Chicago, brought 25 youth and leaders for a training retreat. Iglesia visits camp annually and has built a strong relationship with camp’s programs and staff. The leaders shared many amazing stories of what God is doing in their church and how they use our camp to further their ministry.
Iglesia uses the youth retreat at camp as a “kick off” to their youth program season. Days before the retreat, students were still inviting new friends on the trip. Four kids who had never even been to the church came on the retreat. In fact two of those students accepted Christ during their retreat! Camp is a great way to grow their ministry!
One leader, who had recently accepted Christ in his own life, shared how he didn’t think he could have a role in the youth ministry at the church. However, after feeling the Lord’s prompting, he did get involved and has seen God’s blessing grow. He felt led to reach out to a local radio station to start a Saturday morning outreach radio ministry. Now, every Saturday he brings a group of students to the AM radio station for students to share testimonies and read Bible verses. He said, “I was stunned to see the spiritual gifts come alive when students are put in front of the microphone!” After the program the students take calls from people who are touched by the radio program.
Another leader shared how their church is reaching out to immigrants in their community. The church helps immigrants with basic needs and necessary life skills. All this leads to the opportunity of sharing Christ with people in their moment of need.
Camp’s relationship with Iglesia goes both ways. This summer the church allowed Living Waters to use their church building as a place to stay during our World Religions in America camp. Praise God that we have the opportunity to partner with these fellow ministries. Your support of camp not only helps kids here in the valley, it also made it possible for two kids from Chicago come to know the Lord!
Your support of camp doesn’t just reach our mission statement in the summer but helps year round as we reach, train and equip all of our guests.
If you would like to help us serve our guests this Fall, go to our website. http://www.lwbc.org/volunteers/volunteer-needs/
To book your own retreat go to our website: http://www.lwbc.org/guestgroups/rental-info/