DEAR CAMP FAMILY,
Since March 2020, have you had a chance to say “That was one of the best ever” about something deeply important to you? I pray that you’ve had at least one such opportunity – and hopefully multiple.
When people ask me – “How was camp this summer?” – my response has been some variation of “It was one of the best summers in my nearly 30 years of camp ministry.”
There are layers to that response: relief and gratitude looking back on what our family of camping ministries has weathered together to remain as impactful as ever; and hope and anticipation looking ahead as we continue to recover in order to face new and ongoing challenges.
A negative backdrop like a pandemic can make anything look better! But at the core of my “one of the best” summer experience was the chance to see team culture and adaptive leadership come together to exceed even the highest level of technical skill I’ve witnessed in my decades of camp ministry.
This summer’s group of staff deeply understood Why we do camping ministry and How to do it as a team. So much so that even while in the lingering uncertainty of the pandemic and its social/emotional aftermath, the team was willing to do What-ever it took to create experiences through which campers might 1) understand themselves as loved and gifted Children of God, 2) connect deeply with people they’ve never met before, and 3) have an opportunity to use their gifts to lead others. They were willing to pursue those outcomes for our campers even when it meant giving up real or perceived “camp traditions” in order to adapt the way we do ministry to be more effective.
“People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it and what you do simply proves what you believe. In fact, people will do the things that prove what they believe.” - Simon Sinek
To put a finer point on Sinek’s quote: The way we do what we do, or How we do it, is a result of what we actually believe. Father Peter Scholtes said it another way in a beloved hymn:“They will know we are Christians by our love.” The Gospel writer said it this way: “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:35, The Message)
I LOVE camping ministry! I love the way that the opportunities camp offers to practice faith allows our beliefs to have a real impact on those around us. And I love watching our staff, our ELI participants, and our campers create and experience the power of loving in the footsteps of Christ through Glisson, ELI, and Grow.
Summer 2023 is coming. I can’t wait!
The best is yet to come…
C. Russell Davis
Executive Director
