If we hope to change the world, we must first make changes in our own lives. Summer camp can help you develop the skills you will need to change the world!
Noted columnist and minister Amos Purnell Bailey once said: “A Chinese general put it this way: If the world is to be brought to order, my nation must first be changed. If my nation is to be changed, my hometown must be made over. If my hometown is to be reordered, my family must first be set right. If my family is to be regenerated, I myself must first be.”
If we hope to change the world, we must first make changes in our own lives. Summer camp can change lives! For many young people in the Church of God, summer camp has had a lasting and positive effect. Others, who are now adults, will tell you that camp was a turning point in their lives.
In life, we are confronted with two paths or courses of action. We find both of them in the Bible. The Bible shows that blessings and life result from right decisions, and that curses and death are the result of wrong ones. Moses challenged the Israelites: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…” (Deuteronomy 30:19–20).
Did you notice what Moses was inspired to write?
First, we have decisions to make. God wants us to choose the path that leads to life, but He will not force us to do so. He did not intend for us to be automatons, without personality, originality or character. We have freedom of choice. God could force all of us to make all the right decisions, all of the time, but He chooses not to. He loves us and cares about us. He wants us to choose life, but He leaves the choosing to us. Our Creator desires for us to make sound decisions and right choices, because we love Him and His laws, and because it is in our heart and mind do so.
Second, God said, the present generations’ choice would determine the direction of future generations. Yes, the decisions we make not only affect ourselves but our descendants! Notice what God said in Exodus 20:4–6 in this regard: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” These scriptures plainly show effects that idolatry brings to an idolater’s descendants. Truly, God’s mercy is greater than His wrath, and this verse demonstrates that the lingering effects of righteousness will outlast the lingering effects of wickedness. But it is important to consider this cause-and-effect relationship when making future decisions.
Humanity as a whole has made, and is making, wrong choices. So, the world suffers and will continue to suffer as long as it continues down this path. There is much pain, suffering and heartache in the world. Tens of thousands are starving, while millions more suffer with horrible diseases and sickness. War, violence and destruction wreak havoc throughout the world. It is because of sin that all of this has come about. Would you like to change the world? Would you like to teach people a way of living that results in peace, happiness, and abundant blessings? Most people would. They would like to see a better world for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
The word of God says that this world is going to be changed! Christ is coming and He will restore the Kingdom of God on earth! We can be a part of the solution to the problem.
So how do we prepare to rule with Christ? We prepare by learning to live God’s way of life now. With Christ’s help, we develop holy righteous character. We must learn how to interact with others, how to build and strengthen relationships, and how to lead. It is also necessary to learn all we can about God’s way of life, and put it into practice, so we know what to teach, how to teach it, and can be good role models. We cannot teach what we do not know, and the best leaders lead by example. Summer camp is one place where both the campers and the members of the staff can learn many of these lessons. At camp we learn how to develop godly relationships, and how to properly interact with others. Dorm life presents many exciting and educational challenges in dealing with people. One benefit is that all of the other kids at camp have also been given understanding of God’s plan. They are on the same wavelength as you are, and they look forward to tomorrow’s world—and changing today’s world, too! One note of caution: You will experience peer pressure—but do not worry, it is positive! Your friends at camp will expect good things from you, and you can expect good things from them. There is a lot of negative peer pressure in the world today. Negative peer pressure is when your friends persuade you to conform or do something you do not want to do, like lie, or steal, have sex, do drugs, swear, dress inappropriately, gossip or vandalize. Negative peer pressure is not tolerated and will be addressed if it rears its ugly head at camp. Therefore, summer camp is a wonderful place for future leaders to come together, build strong relationships, and prepare to change the world!
All of our camps also provide opportunities to develop leadership skills. Members of the staff develop their abilities to teach and lead. Older campers supply leadership for the younger campers in their dorm. Leaders are teachers, so it is no surprise that being “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2, see also 2 Timothy 2:2, 24) is noted as one of the qualifications of Church leaders. If we have God’s Spirit in us, and we allow God to mold and fashion our character now, we will be kings and priests (Revelation 5:10) in the future Family of God. As a young person, even if you are not yet baptized, God’s Spirit is with you (John 14:17), you have been “set apart,” and you can learn about God and His way of life. Physical leaders will be needed in the Kingdom of God, and you should be preparing now for this opportunity that awaits you. There will be ample opportunity to teach, as noted in Isaiah 2:3: “Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths,’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Also notice what the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write later in this book: “Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:20–21). The world will at last listen to the servants of God. We will have the ability to effect positive change in the world at that time. Why not take advantage of every opportunity we have now to prepare for this prophesied event?
Studying the word of God is a daily priority at all of our pre-teen camps, our adventure camp, and teen camps around the world. The camp administration understands that your parents have the primary role in your spiritual education. With the intention to support them in this effort, we cover Biblical topics of special interest to kids your age. Camp Bible Studies are designed to help identify and make changes in your own thinking and acting that will align you more fully with the path that leads to life. You are the next generation, and the future leaders in the Church now, and in the Kingdom to come. Timothy was commanded to commit Paul’s teaching to faithful men who in turn would have the responsibility of teaching others. This would be the way of passing the truth down from generation to generation. “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Knowing and understanding the truth—and having the wisdom to apply it correctly—is critical for anyone that will be used by Christ to transform the world to come.
Camp is fun, positive and exciting! God’s way of life is this way too. Christ said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Scripture shows that young people will be having “fun” in the Millennium. In the book of Zechariah we find that, during the Millennium, children will be having fun playing in its streets. “The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets” (Zechariah 8:5). In life, we will encounter those people who live life to the full, and those who just exist. Do you know people who live full and exciting lives—people who are fun to be around? What about negative, unhappy people—do you know any of these? Which are we? As Christians, “joy” is a fruit that should be borne in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). Being around enthusiastic and caring counselors, campers and members of the staff can positively change our perspective, and attitude toward life. W. Clement Stone—a businessman, philanthropist and author—once said, “There is very little difference in people. But that little difference makes a big difference. That little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.” We understand God’s Plan, and have the “Good News” of the Kingdom of God; this knowledge should inspire us and give us hope for the future. God’s people are positive and optimistic. They are fun to be around, and their optimism is contagious. By developing a healthy attitude, you can learn to take difficult situations in stride, learn from the experience, and prepare for the next challenge. It is a great approach and fosters a successful lifestyle.
Do you want to change the world? Come to camp and meet other young people who would like to make the world a better place. Let us work together to prepare for the opportunities that lie ahead.