Intersection of the Past, Present and Future
My high school Young Life group at Wilderness Ranch There are those moments in our lives where our past crosses our present as it moves towards the future. It’s in those moments of intersection that God provides a glimpse into how He’s orchestrating our lives for a purpose we may have never seen or anticipated.
I had one of these moments this past week when I had the opportunity to speak with Young Life’s Camping Department about leadership, professionalism and the current state of Christian camping. It’s an intersection because of the significant role Young Life’s played in my life.
I’m a Young Life kid meaning I attended Young Life club, campaigners and camp as a high school student. Next, my wife Denise and I served seven years as volunteer Young Life leaders. Then I moved into involvement on Young Life area committees before stepping back because of family and work commitments.
Young Life’s played an enormous role in my spiritual, emotional and leadership development as well as influenced my personal philosophy of ministry. So when I was asked by Steve Thompson, Young Life’s Vice President for camping, to speak to his team, an intersection of my past and present occurred.
But it’s also an intersection of the present and the future because of the continued need of Christian camps and other youth ministries to work together to serve young people. Because of the world in which we live and the culture we’re called to work, I’m convinced the future of effective ministry to young people will require the cooperation of like-minded organizations such as SpringHill and Young Life.
This week my past intersected with my present, but it’s to the future where I’ve now set my eyes and will continue to take steps on the path God’s graciously illuminated for me.
SpringHill Alumni
There have been tens of thousands of SpringHill campers and summer staff over our 42 year history which means there are SpringHill alumni literally all over the world.
I had this reality driven home during my “pastor day” this past Tuesday when I ran into two former SpringHill summer staff, one who’s now working for Kensington Community Church and another serving Mack Avenue Community Church.
First I had the opportunity to reconnect with Cameron Underdown who’s the high school and college director for Kensington’s Orion/Rochester campus. Cameron’s playing a key role in a significant ministry. Talking with him reminded me of the part SpringHill play’s in the spiritual, personal and professional development of college age people.
Later that day while touring with Eric Russ I had the opportunity to talk with Kristen VanderPlas Selle. Kristen and her husband Scott live in one of the poorest communities in Detroit (and thus in the country) where they’re both involved in the Mack Avenue Community Church family. In particular Kristen leads Mack Avenue Community Church’s literary and tutoring program designed to serve the young children of the Mack Avenue neighborhood. As I watched Kristen working with some of the students I couldn’t help feeling a bit of pride knowing that a SpringHill alumnus is serving the “least of these” in this way.
These two friends represent the literally thousands of SpringHill alumni who’ve committed their lives to the service of others and to expanding Christ’s Kingdom. We, at SpringHill, pray every summer that God would use us to help our summer staff and campers grow in their faith as well as to develop as people and leaders who’ll make a difference in Christ’s Kingdom.
So “pastor day” had a second blessing – to see our prayer answered in two SpringHill alumni.
The End of Summer Camp – I’m Sad but Satisfied
Today’s the last day of the SpringHill 2011 summer camp season and there are two words that describe how I feel – “sad” and “satisfied”.I’m sad because we had an incredible summer of creating life changing experiences for 1000’s of young people but if feels like we’re ending too soon.
Sad because of the many new friends I’ve made with summer and resident staff, parents and even a few campers knowing our daily and weekly interaction has ended. Facebook’s good but it’s not the same as being together at camp.
Sad because I know the regular interaction I’ve had with our year around staff and their families has come to an end. We’ve spent the summer eating meals together and watching our kids catch fish and play six square with each other and with our summer staff.
But I’m satisfied because I watched our team deliver the SpringHill Experience to the largest number of campers in our history – 17,470 and do it in a passionate and professional way.
I’m satisfied because we had an incredibly safe summer for our campers and staff. Nothing keeps me awake at night more than the safety of those God’s entrusted to us.
Finally and most importantly, I’m deeply satisfied and humbled because it’s clear from camper and parent feedback that we fulfilled our mission of creating life changing experiences for young people where they can know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. This is why we exist so to know we been used to this end leaves me exhausted but satisfied.
So I’m both sad and yet satisfied. But the great news there’s only 283 days left before the first 2012 summer staff arrive and summer camp officially begins once again (not that I’m counting or anything).
