This week, our church will be filled with laughter, excitement, songs, games, crafts, snacks, and the joyful energy of children as we welcome them to Friends Camp. Throughout the week, children in rising Kindergarten through 5th grade will discover a simple but life-changing truth: God loves them and wants to be their friend, not only that but God invites us to love others as he has loved us. Together, we will explore what Scripture teaches about God’s love and grace through Jesus Christ.
As exciting as Friends Camp is for our children, I want to invite our entire church family to pray for the people who make this ministry possible.
More than 30 volunteers will be serving throughout the week. They will lead groups, tell Bible stories, sing songs, create crafts, play games, provide security, welcome families, and care for children with a wide range of personalities, needs, and experiences. They will pour themselves out day after day in ways that most people will never fully see.
So this week, would you join me in praying for them?
Pray that God would give them supernatural grace and power. Ministry is never accomplished through our human effort alone. We need the Holy Spirit to work through us, beyond our abilities and beyond our limitations.
Pray that God would fill them with resilient love. Children need more than activities and entertainment. They need adults who will see them, encourage them, and remind them that they are deeply loved by God. Pray that our volunteers would love each child with patience, kindness, and joy.
Pray that God would grant them unrelenting humility and forgiveness. Long days, tired bodies, misunderstandings, and unexpected challenges are part of every camp week. Pray that our volunteers would extend grace freely to one another and serve with the humble heart of Christ.
Most of all, pray that God would help us tell the story of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ clearly and faithfully. We can create wonderful experiences, but only God changes hearts. Pray that every child who walks through our doors would hear the good news, experience the love of Christ, and leave knowing that they are seen, known, and loved by God.
Thank you for praying. Thank you for supporting our children, families, and volunteers. And thank you for being a church that believes the next generation matters.
I cannot wait to see what God does through Friends Camp this week.
God bless,
Jonathan
For Jesus. For People. For Community.