Oregon Ministry Network

Summer is for Kids

I just finished a week in Eastern Oregon at Camp Elkanah for the first of six summer camps, Next Generation Ministries will be facilitating. Two of them will be kids camps, two will be youth camps, one is our Royal Ranger Pow Wow and we are trying a new Youth Discipleship Camp. God has given us six fabulous teams to help lead these camps and the attendance seems to be strong for all six camps.

As a Next Generation Pastor for so many years in the local church, I have always felt like summer was the time to step up my ministry schedule. Summer was never a good time for me to slow down. Kids and youth are out of school, allowing me extra time to do discipleship, build relationships and play. Yes, play! I believe Jesus took time to have fun and play with His disciples. There are certain things that can only take place in a student’s life on a raft, in a water war or at a camp that will never happen in a church service.

I want to encourage you to get out and play with your kids this summer. Get into their life and allow them to see a different side of you. We as Children and Youth Pastor/Workers get paid to play, so play hard.

One more thing: make sure your youth and kids get a camp experience this summer.

(To view video footage of Youth Camps 2010 go to www.youtube.com/nextgenpastor)