By Rachel Shively, 4.12 Coordinator
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells His disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” For all believers, this is a command that gives them a calling and purpose. However, sharing the Gospel can still involve risk and can prove challenging no matter who it is being shared with or who is sharing.
For the students specifically in the Joy El, a Christian retreat centers in PA, 4.12 Leadership Training Program, they face challenges every day to stand up for what they believe in while sharing the Gospel in schools, families, friendships, etc. that are broken because of sin.
Last month, students attended the Leadership Training Summit (LTS) at Joy El, a Christian camp in PA, and attended various sessions that were created to help them grow in their faith.
On Saturday evening, the students had the opportunity to choose two elective sessions to attend. Each one was related to a current challenging area in culture where we need to bring the hope of Christ. One session was specifically geared toward sharing the Gospel and to help equip the students in various situations they would encounter at school.
Students shared positive feedback about the sessions, one student specifically shared something very encouraging with her mentor. Briana* had always been fearful to share the Gospel with people in her school. However, during the session the speaker explained sharing in a way that was applicable to what she had been struggling with, and she gained a new perspective that did not include fear. Briana shared she had never heard someone present it in a way that was so applicable to how she could reach her friends.
Briana and her mentor are now walking through additional materials from the session she attended so that she can be further equipped as she heads into college after this year. Continue to pray for students like Briana who are being challenged every day in their faith, and that they receive equipping and training to stand up for their faith and proclaim it wherever they go.
*Name has been changed
There are many sessions of Summer Camp including Day Camp and Adventure Camp.
Additional Resources:
Seven Reasons to Not Fear Sharing Your Faith
Join us for a retreat! Start here!
Home School Retreat February 7-8 (1-8th Grade)
Bible Adventure Retreat March 1-3 (2-6th Grade)
Mother-Son Retreat March 15-17, (Sons 1-12th Grade)
Father-Daughter Retreat April 12-14, (Daughters 1-12th Grade)
Joy El Camps and Retreats is a Christian Youth Camp in PA, we offer Christian camps and retreats year-round for all ages in PA and we are a Youth retreat center in Pennsylvania since 1974. Our focus on making
