Camp Andrews 2008: Is it true faith in God?

October 24-26 we had our annual One retreat with seven area churches. This year’s theme for our 8th-12th graders was “The Born Identity” taken from the Jason Bourne movie series. We had about 100 youth and 30 leaders attend this year. It’s always good to take kids to camp for an experience with God. However, after doing it so many times, we can get discouraged when we see youth get emotional for a weekend and then go back home to resume the same patterns.

This time, a youth named Damon particularly caught my (Nes’) attention. Damon came to camp following a friend and not really knowing what the camp was about. The guy he came with turned out to be very disruptive and we had to send him home. Damon’s friend asked him if he was going to leave too. Damon turned him down. This was Saturday, a day into the camp, and without knowing anything about the camp, he wanted to stay. Why would Damon, who also was acting very tough, want to stay?

That morning during our session we talked about family, and that might have drawn him to stay. The speaker touched on how some have parents who are not around and don’t seem to care. But God has given the kids youth leaders that care about them and their soul.

When I stood up to conclude the session, I started to cry as I thought about how much this is my heart for the youth. I was also thinking about Carlos Jr., who was killed in a car accident in May and was missing at the retreat. His dad came as chaperone, bringing his stepson. I shared how we as youth leaders desire for the youth to love God with all their heart, soul and mind. As I was sharing I couldn’t hold my composure—a combination of one of our dearly loved youth passing away this year and wanting to see youth living for Jesus today, right now.

That night at the camp fire, I spoke with Damon about his experience so far. He started to say that it felt good. I continued asking questions to engage him in the conversation. At the end he said he wanted to come to church and give God a try. Sunday morning he shared it again during the open mike time. A youth leader asked me later if I thought he was being sincere. I told him we should continue to work with him. Let’s not question what is real since God knows that, and we will know that in time. Let’s continue to work with Damon. Pray for Damon. We planted a seed and water it, but only God’s Spirit changes his heart and causes him to grow.