7/1/2025

How was summer camp for Journey youth?  I’m so glad you asked!

Our church had two students commit their lives to the Lord for the very first time.  We had many others who recommitted their lives to the Lord and even more who grew in their faith and were challenged in their faith.

Here are just a few remarks from some of our teens regarding what the Lord did in their lives at FUGE camp:

This week I wanted to fully surrender my life to the Lord.  I learned that surrender isn’t just a singular moment, but it is a choice and a decision every day.  I wanted that emotional rush, that “camp high”, but I learned what comes quickly, leaves quickly.  I also learned about the value of Biblical community and the importance of having regular spiritual conversations.  I want to get into the habit of routinely talking about Jesus with others.

I learned that God deserves my all, not just my leftovers.

I felt convicted about my social media problem.  I have deleted TikTok and have an accountability partner.  I also learned in coming home that not everyone is going to make the same decisions you did at camp, but that is okay.  You can let your light shine in the darkness.  You can keep being the light and maybe one day they’ll find the light too.

Camp made a big difference in my faith.  This week I realized I’ve been hanging on to other people’s faith, and now I have my own faith.

Worship was my favorite part of camp!

One of the main focus words this week was “fuel.”  I realized that I’ve just been riding around on a spiritually empty tank.  I get too busy, and I just put in $1 of fuel in at a time, just barely hanging on.  I’ve learned to dial in and to fill up every day.  Another example that stuck with me is that God is like a lamp.  Not a flashlight, but a lamp.  If He lit up our path like a flashlight, we’d see all the way to the end, and we might get scared, so He lights up just a few steps at a time.  And again, the importance of keeping the fuel in the lamp, if you let the light run out, you won’t be able to see your next steps.

For me, camp was a new start.  I feel more connected to God.  It was an amazing experience.

I learned I need to be more intentional with my words because the proof of the resurrection is in me.

I learned about the value of Christian community.  I know that when I leave for college, I need to find community so they can help me stay connected to God.

At camp I realized I have a borrowed faith, and now I’ve decided to be baptized.

So how was camp?  I’d say it was pretty amazing.

-Jackie