Hello Campers!

STORM Camp 2008 Recap

Eighty youth campers representing 17 different congregations and 18 adult drivers converged on Northern Pines Assembly Grounds for the 18^th edition of STORM Camp.  This year’s theme was “Inside Out” based on a popular Christian song originated by the Hillsong congregation of Austrailia.  We continued our recent emphasis on what it means to be a revolutionary Christian, focusing on the character that is “inside” of us, and how it is manifested on the “outside” of us.  Our daily worship themes included the importance of being one body (unity), understanding where others are coming from (compassion), an attitude of servanthood (humility),  living with JOY (the first ever joke night during STORM Camp worship), and the importance of the Cross to bring it all together.

We were blessed with great music by the STORM Camp band playing old favorites like the “Truly New Song” and recent additions like “Stand” and ”Inside Out”.  Once again, on Friday night, after worship, the band played through their whole repertoire to the enjoyment of many!

We also got back into the community this year for our annual picnic.  We traveled over to the Hubbard United Methodist Church where the UMW and camp staff served a great meal to all the campers and about 90 of the people and guests that we had served during the week.  It was a great time of fellowship in Hubbard’s relatively new church building.  We then had our evening worship service there, with a number of guests including some of the tool guys staying to sing, listen to testimonies and hear about Christian joy.  It was a good celebration of serving Jesus by serving others.

We sent out 18 teams every day.  Those teams served approximately 4 families each for a total of 75-80 families served.  Average miles traveled for the week was about 200 so the total miles traveled amounted to 3600.  Once again there were only minor injuries and no major accidents or hospitalizations!  We are ALWAYS grateful to God for our safety record!

Campers received a white plastic bracelet with the words “I’m a Revolutionary” on it.  Our rallying cry has become – “For the Revolution!” with the response – “Through the Cross!”

Special thanks goes out to the Northern Pines staff, the Tool Guys led by Chuck, the Prayer Partners secured by Ardyth, and our friends at Hubbard UMC for hosting the picnic.  Also the Major Group Leaders…rookies Sue and Val did a great job, and veterans Tim, Andy, Rann and Fred.  God bless you all.

Please keep the leaders of STORM Camp in prayer as we have already begun planning for 2009!  Camp will be held the week of July 26-August 1.  Registrations are due early this year, with a 50 dollar discount, so watch your email, website, and mailings.  Get your friends and other churches on board with us.

Thanks and God bless you richly!

For the Revolution!

Pastor Dave

On a weekly basis I also send out regular e-mails I call my Weekly Encouragements. I would be happy to continue to share my messages with you.  If YOU would to subscribe to please Contact ME and sign up.

Staying in relationship with each other is how we can continue to keep the STORM spirit and SJXSO alive!

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