Post Summer Camp

Last week was somewhat bitter-sweet for me if I’m honest.

We took a group of youth from Immanuel International Church down to Holsby Brunn in Småland, in the south of Sweden for their annual summer camp.  It was a time of laughter, worship, outdoor activities, big games, prayer, talking, thinking, eating…the list could go on. It was great to learn more about what is happening in the lives of these young people, and how God is at work – through the good and through many challenging situations they are facing.

So why bitter-sweet?

This camp marked the last big event where Ben and I would lead the youth in this way…and this was continually on my mind.  While originally, we were only stepping into this role temporarily, the youth have had a huge impact on my life. (And I have learnt more from them than they probably have from me!)  It is incredible to see how they are already growing into such great leaders & thinkers – I have no doubt of the many positive differences they will make to this world in years to come.

Why the change?

I feel that I should say (for my own processing as much as anything) that we love the youth of our church dearly and the reason for this change is not that we don’t want to be in their lives anymore. Rather…

  • Now more than ever, we feel in a big way that God is calling us to music ministry (both as Salt of the Sound) and as worship leaders, and we feel a strong conviction to focus on that.
  • Originally we were only filling in the youth position for a couple of months (which extended for various reasons) and now here we are… 15 months later.
  • This is also in part because we have felt for a while that there is someone at this time who has a greater calling and gifting for the youth ministry of Immanuel International. (And if last week is anything to go by, she is going to be awesome at it!)
But to all the youth of summer camp…if you were ever to read this. This is what I would want you to know:

  • God will use you in ways you never thought possible if you let Him.

  • So stay open to Him and His plan for your life.

  • You are amazing. Dare to be…you!

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The Summer Camp centre we go to is part of Torchbearers International and is one of twenty-six Torchbearers Centres across the globe. They offer fantastic bible school programmes as well as great venues for retreats and conferences – if you haven’t heard of them, you should definitely check them out!

Written by Anita on 6th July 2015 in Faith, Life, Sweden, Work.
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