By Courtney Martin, Program Director
One key emphasis of Joy El is the importance of Scripture memory. Having gone through Joy El’s Bible Adventure Program, growing up attending camp events at Joy El Camps and Retreats, being in the 4.12 Leadership Training Program and now serving on staff, I’ve developed the habit of making scripture memory part of my life. It’s a habit that has greatly impacted me throughout the years.
In our Christian summer camp program, we emphasize to campers the learning of the memory verses and encourage staff to learn them as well. In addition we encourage staff to learn a new verse each week that they are serving. During one elementary week of camp, early on in the week our female head counselor was called into a situation of homesickness with a camper named Abby*. As both the female head counselor and Abby’s counselor worked with her, they were able to help her see the value of staying at camp.
As the week went on Abby was very engaged in all the activities and even shared during camp fire how she had the opportunity to rededicate her life to Christ. As I walked through the dining hall on Friday morning, Abby called me over to her table. She excitedly shared how she and her friend had both memorized Psalm 40:1-3. One verse that stands out from this section is verse 3, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
Both girls shared with me the verses and then were delighted to show me the new verse packs that they had purchased at the camp store that week and the verses that they were hoping to memorize. I took the opportunity then to pull out my verse pack and asked them to test me on the verse I was working on memorizing. Later at lunch as I walked by again, Abby once more called out and wanted me to share the verse I was working on and then shared two new verses she wanted to work on. I cannot wait to see how God develops a love for scripture in Abby as she grows in her relationship with Him and how the words she has hidden in her heart now will bear much fruit in the years to come.
*Name has been changed
Upcoming Joy El Retreats
Mother-Daughter Retreat, Oct. 9-11, 2020
Momentum Jr/Sr High Retreat, Nov. 6-8, 2020
Father-Son Retreat, Nov. 13-15, 2020
Momentum Sr High Retreat, Nov. 20-22, 2020
Click here for a scripture memory tool you can use!
