“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” Ecc. 3:1 This verse comes to mind at the change of every season. This spring brought a lot of excitement to Joy El. Registrations started coming in at record pace, weekly reports from Bible Adventure and CIA telling of increased participation and salvation decisions, and after two long years dealing with Covid, guest groups are finally starting to come on a regular basis!
Recently, I attended a revival service. I knew the guest evangelist and was eager to hear what he had to share. He spoke about Philip and the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. He said that some scholars feel that the eunuch was perhaps the first “missionary” to Ethiopia and started the spread of the Good News in Africa. What he shared next both surprised me and delighted me at the same time. “I had my salvation experience as a young man attending Camp Joy El. The Gospel was shared with me there in a way I had never experienced it before,” he said. He went on to say that just like Philip explained the Word to the eunuch, someone explained the Word to him, and for the first time, he truly understood and realized his need for salvation. “How great it is that there are people who dedicate themselves to making sure others know about Jesus and teach the Word of God so that even children can understand it,” he said. “I am thankful for my experience at camp, because it helped make me who I am today.”
When the service was over, I was excited to talk to him about his time at camp. It had been nearly 40 years since his salvation decision, but he recalled the details vividly. “I forgot you worked there!” he exclaimed. “Thank you for being a part of God’s work,” he shared. I thanked him for reminding me why we do what we do. How wonderful it was knowing that his life-change had led him to become a pastor and that now he is sharing the Gospel with others!
And now, the seasons are changing again! Summer is coming! I’m excited to see what God will do through the speakers, counselors and the summer leadership team as they minister to the children who come to camp! I eagerly look forward to the weekly updates of how many campers began a relationship with Jesus! It’s exciting to think that one of them may end up becoming one of the next missionaries, pastors or Sunday school teachers to share the Gospel with others!
Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Please pray with me that the “seeds” planted this summer will blossom into a great harvest of new brothers and sisters in Christ!
Upcoming Events
Prayer Walk Service – Join us at camp on Sunday, June 12th at 2pm
Our latest blog: https://joyelcamps.org/nineteen-seniors-graduate-from-joy-els-4-12-leadership-training-program/
