Encouraging Your Kids to be More Mission-Minded

We just wanted to pass along a helpful tip we received years ago. We implemented this idea in our family about 10 years ago, and since it's been a blessing to us, we thought we'd pass it along.

I'm sure most of you receive numerous letters and emails from missionaries and mission organizations. If not, find an organization that tugs on your heart and subscribe to their newsletter. Take a few minutes at the dinner table to read it, or a portion of it, out loud. Take time to discuss it as you deem appropriate, and then pray for the organization or the missionaries as a family. It will not only be a blessing for your family as you are encouraged and inspired, but your prayers will be a blessing to the missionary/organization.

(Another tip we found helpful…once we receive the letters, we stick them in a cupboard near our dining table so they are handy come dinner time. For email newsletters, we print them immediately and do the same.)

Winter Camp

We had another record year at Winter Camp with about 350 students! The theme was "The Amazing Race," based off of Hebrews 12:1. It was even warm enough to add a mud pit to our list of activities, which ended up being a huge hit! The Eastern Sky Theater put on a short theater production with a powerful, impacting, life-committing message (Some of you have seen their powerful play called "The Last Appeal").

At the final session, the campers were given the opportunity to write down on cards anything they wanted to bring before God, bring them forward, and lay them down at the foot of the cross. Almost 200 teens came forward. Among the list of issues brought before the cross were hatred, pornography, drugs, sex, self-cutting, family problems, and drinking. Many made decisions to follow Christ for the first time, and many rededicated their lives to Christ. One such card read: "I love you Lord. I miss you so much and I confess that I have been off track. I need help Lord, I will be stronger because of you!! And I know that, and I pray that I no longer be afraid to speak of you and trust you." We praise God and rejoice because of the many lives changed at winter camp!

Archery

The Mudpit

All of the campers