Camp & The New Generation
The heat index reached 110 and I forgot to pack my fan. If you know how much I sweat, you know that this is a problem. God sustained me! I did sweat, but at 110 so does everyone else! My sweat level was socially acceptable all week long.
As the sun raged, 470 kids and leaders descended on Piedmont Missouri to worship and ultimately be transformed by Jesus.
I watched closely, and I noticed that a few of the campers had intellectual disabilities. I immediately thought about parents of those children sending their child for a week. That takes a lot of bravery and faith.
As we made it through the madness of the week, I personally came home with these takeaways:
Special needs parents are everywhere, watching out for kids like their own. Our ears and eyes are trained to be on alert. It's not easy to shut off.
Your special needs kids love Jesus. They were worshipping. They were praying. It was inspiring and touching for me personally. I often wonder if they feel God on a deeper level because they're not weighed down by the expectations and distractions that trap neurotypical believers.
This new generation is KIND! They are inclusive. They supported the few special needs kids who were at camp. They made room for their differences. The campers approach to those with special needs wasn't born from cultural woke conditioning, it was an understanding of God's love for all people.
One particular camper sat by our crew at almost every meal. We learned that this camper had just graduated and this was their last year. The last night of camp, during an emotional time of prayer, I looked over to see one of our young adult leaders hugging and praying for this kiddo. This camper had all the access, prayer, support, and love that any other kid may have received.
But let me transition to talk about this new generation as a whole. I'm calling it "new" and not "next" intentionally. God is doing something different with these kids.
I was in a youth group - and at camp - in the 90s. I knew Jesus, but did not follow Him. I was running. So my camp experience looked like going through the motions to please the leaders and then drinking beer and chasing girls the first night I got home.
I'm not naive. I know these kids have more challenges and temptations than I did. But somewhat unlike my generation, they have a deep understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.
We had an event where kids could share - in front of our entire church youth group - what they learned or experienced that week. I watched these kids articulate things about Jesus. About faith. About having a relationship with God. About grace. About loving others in a real way - even to the point of confronting enemies. About God miraculously changing their hearts and their minds.
I left the week humbled. Exhausted. Refreshed. Challenged. But most of all, thankful. Thankful that the Spirit is active and moving in this new generation.
I’m back a home.
I’m sorting through a mountain of very foul laundry.
The heat wave has ended.
But the fire is stoked.