Sunday, July 20, 2008
reflections: student life camp
At this point, I'm pretty convinced I have the best internship in the world. This summer I'm a senior high youth intern at a Methodist church in San Antonio and our youth group just got back from SL Camp in Colorado. For me, it was one of the greatest weeks of the summer so far (despite the awful camp food, 22 hour bus ride, and not-so-impressive skits). I loved the way our speaker captivated our attention with his dry humor and vivid illustrations. He did an amazing job of logically unpacking the Truth in Jesus' teachings and challenging us to respond to the message. I also loved the way our worship leaders humbly led us to the throne room of God.
I had the honored role of "family group leader" for 4 beautiful 10th grade girls from our church. I can't describe what a blessing it was to witness what God did in our group over the course of camp. To several girls, God challenged them to pursue Jesus in spite of distractions, complacency, and emotional deception. To one, God revealed some issues of idolatry and to the other, the Lord confirmed His immediate calling for her life and challenged her to deepen her understanding of His holy character. At one point, I believe that the enemy was at work to raise up barriers and disrupt the unity that existed in our fellowship. However, God was faithful to preserve unity and He allowed us all to experience His manifest presence over the course of the week. For the first time all summer, I have hope for the students in our youth group. I have hope that they will rely solely on Jesus (verses a camp, mission trip, or an experience) for growth, conviction, direction, and intimacy with the Lord. I have hope that God can and will use them to make a difference for Christ in this world.
One of my favorite moments came midway through the week during our church time after corporate worship. Our church had been assigned a lecture hall in the chemistry building to meet. In that room on this particular rainy night, one of the other interns was leading us in praise and worship and we were all singing "Rain Down." All at once, I noticed some people near the door start scrambling for a trash can to catch the rain drops that were leaking through the roof of that lecture hall on the first floor of the chemistry building. Clearly, God was present with us, acknowledging the words we were lifting up to Him.
As one of the youth directors says, I got a front row seat to the glory of God this week and it was awesome. My prayer is that I will be faithful and bold to respond to what God showed me personally this past week for the sake of not wasting this amazing experience.
I had the honored role of "family group leader" for 4 beautiful 10th grade girls from our church. I can't describe what a blessing it was to witness what God did in our group over the course of camp. To several girls, God challenged them to pursue Jesus in spite of distractions, complacency, and emotional deception. To one, God revealed some issues of idolatry and to the other, the Lord confirmed His immediate calling for her life and challenged her to deepen her understanding of His holy character. At one point, I believe that the enemy was at work to raise up barriers and disrupt the unity that existed in our fellowship. However, God was faithful to preserve unity and He allowed us all to experience His manifest presence over the course of the week. For the first time all summer, I have hope for the students in our youth group. I have hope that they will rely solely on Jesus (verses a camp, mission trip, or an experience) for growth, conviction, direction, and intimacy with the Lord. I have hope that God can and will use them to make a difference for Christ in this world.
One of my favorite moments came midway through the week during our church time after corporate worship. Our church had been assigned a lecture hall in the chemistry building to meet. In that room on this particular rainy night, one of the other interns was leading us in praise and worship and we were all singing "Rain Down." All at once, I noticed some people near the door start scrambling for a trash can to catch the rain drops that were leaking through the roof of that lecture hall on the first floor of the chemistry building. Clearly, God was present with us, acknowledging the words we were lifting up to Him.
As one of the youth directors says, I got a front row seat to the glory of God this week and it was awesome. My prayer is that I will be faithful and bold to respond to what God showed me personally this past week for the sake of not wasting this amazing experience.
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