By Stephanie Ziebarth, Barnabas Mentor Coordinator
My husband Aaron and I recently had the opportunity to spend about 24 hours on a Bible college campus. While there, I connected with a handful of students who had been in the 4.12 Leadership Training Program at one point. Two of them specifically told me I could share their encouraging comments with others, so I have shared their comments below.
One of the young women was recently hired for a job that doesn’t generally go to freshmen. I expressed my congratulations and then asked, “How did you manage to get that job?” She gave a sheepish smile and then said, “Camp.” I laughed. She continued, “Seriously, they said they had never seen a more experienced freshman before. Because I did media while I was in the 4.12 program I came in with a lot of valuable skills.” She is very excited to have the job, because it fits in with her major and will give her even more valuable experience as she moves forward through her college career.
The other young lady went out of her way to find the Joy El table (we were representing Joy El at the school’s missions conference) during a break in her day. She gave me a big hug, and we proceeded to have a wonderful conversation. Without me bringing it up at all, she said something along these lines (I’m giving you a shortened version), “I have a lot of regrets about how I finished my high school years. I had a hard time prioritizing, and I wish I had made the 4.12 program more of a focus so I could have gotten even more out of it. I thought my other high school activities seemed so much more important at the time, and I was also listening to grumblers who were filling me with negativity about the program. I know the program is super valuable and I am so thankful I was in it! Bring me back anytime to tell other students what I learned so they won’t make the same mistakes!”
If you or a teen you know would like to grow in discipleship and leadership, be planning ahead even now to attend our 4.12 Leadership Training Program informational meetings this summer. Attending one of these meetings is the first step to getting involved with this powerful program.
- July 2nd (Returning Students)
- July 11th (Returning Students)
- July 18th (Potential Students)
- July 25th (Potential Students)
- July 30th (Potential Students)
Express your interest to [email protected].
Join us for a retreat! Start here!
Mother-Son Retreat March 15-17, (Sons 1-12th Grade)
Father-Daughter Retreat April 12-14, (Daughters 1-12th Grade)
There are many sessions of Summer Camp including Day Camp and Adventure Camp.
Joy El Camps and Retreats is a Christian Youth Camp in PA, we offer Christian sleep away 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 disciples is seen in Bible Adventure and the 4.12 Leadership Training Program
