This week I’m at Christian Athletic Camp and we’re using the fine facilities of Duncan Lake Middle School in Caledonia, Michigan. I joined the staff of CAC in 1979…at first coaching baseball and now serving as one of the Administrators for the last 25 years. I am grateful that someone saw gifts in me 32 years ago and invited me on staff. It’s been exciting to get on board with where God was working and be part of building His Kingdom among youth from West Michigan and our sister Conference in Indiana.
CAC is the largest camping ministry in our West Michigan Conference…this year with 200 middle school and high school youth, along with 45 dedicated staff…providing instruction in a variety of sports, proclaiming the Christian faith in worship and small group Bible study, and promoting an atmosphere where students are loved and cared for…and where they can build solid relationships that will last a lifetime.
Last night, Erik Bledsoe, a Christian singer and songwriter, came and did a concert for our evening program. Erik has been with us at Redeemer twice in recent years and continues to touch many lives with his music and the witness of Christ’s redeeming work in his life. We are grateful that he took the time to be with us.
Christian Athletic Camp continues to have a positive impact on the lives of so many youth. Here is part of a letter that we received from one parent:
“Words cannot express a true sense of how our family feels. We have greatly benefited over the years in being able to send our kids to CAC. We are forever indebted to all those who have given so selflessly of themselves so that our kids could enjoy and benefit. It’s hard for people to understand the benefits received from an ‘athletic camp’ but what they can’t realize is the ‘Spirit’ that dwells within this camp. It’s overwhelming! CAC has been a great part of developing our kid’s self-worth and most of all their ever-abundant faith.”
Many of our staff are committed to this week year after year. Some take vacation time to be here…others make time – even though the demands at work or home or school are great. Their sacrifice and servant-hearts are making a difference for eternity.
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers…and for supporting this and all of our camping ministries with your dollars to the Camp Scholarship Fund. You are a faithful partner with us in this life-changing ministry.
Rod
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A Lost Passion?
I watched with some interest last week as the sport world obsessed over LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and agreeing to a multi-million dollar deal to play NBA basketball for the Miami Heat. It was THE topic of conversation for days - before and after his televised decision – not only on dedicated sports stations like ESPN, but on nearly every network radio and television station, as well.
The fan reaction in Cleveland was also interesting…covering the whole range of shock, dismay, anger, and betrayal. "Where will LeBron go" speculation that had spanned months seemed to dissolve instantly into negativity and vitriol. "This is the worst day of my life," said John, who watched in frozen horror with hundreds of others at a local bar. As patrons exited another Cleveland restaurant, they yelled things such as "Goodbye, LeBron" and "You're no king!" "This is real hurtful," another said. "The king should never leave his throne, when you do, that means you are dethroned. He turned his back on us." LeBron James' decision was a "slap in the face to every citizen" in the city.
All the drama left me wondering what our world would be like if Christ-followers showed as much passion for sharing the life-changing message of the “King of Kings.” It is true that most worthwhile things in life are the result of passion. Significant events in human history are the result of people's deep and consuming desires to see goals fulfilled. As Christ-followers our consuming desire should be to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ reach those who are not yet believers. However, we live in an age that tends to dull our sharpness. Our culture obscures the Christian message and would rob our faith of its power if given the chance. Indeed, some Christians just don't understand people who have a passionate concern about spiritual things, because spiritual passion is not the norm. The norm is not to let Christianity disrupt your lifestyle. And as a result, the spiritual temperature of many Christ-followers has dropped and we have become apathetic. I’d rather ask questions like: Where is our burden for those who don’t yet know Christ? Why isn't a passion for the lost the church's central function? Is the church only a self-indulgent activity center, content with comfort and prosperity? Or are we actively carrying out Jesus’ mission to “seek and to save those who are lost?”
Courageous men and women of God have dotted the landscape of church history. Their power came from a passion for holiness and reaching the lost. One example is the early Methodist preacher, George Whitefield. Ordained at age twenty-two, he began preaching with tremendous eloquence and effect. John Newton viewed him as the greatest preacher of his day. His power came from his passion for souls, and he used every God-given ability to lead people to Christ. He once wrote that if his life was in danger of nestling down, God--out of pity--should place a thorn into his nest! He crossed the Atlantic thirteen times and preached thousands of sermons. His gravestone reads that he was a soldier of the cross, humble, devout, and ardent, preferring the honor of Christ to his own interest, reputation, or life.
We are the channel through which God has chosen to communicate His love and saving power to the world. Do we have a passion to reach those who are lost? Or have we lost our passion?
The fan reaction in Cleveland was also interesting…covering the whole range of shock, dismay, anger, and betrayal. "Where will LeBron go" speculation that had spanned months seemed to dissolve instantly into negativity and vitriol. "This is the worst day of my life," said John, who watched in frozen horror with hundreds of others at a local bar. As patrons exited another Cleveland restaurant, they yelled things such as "Goodbye, LeBron" and "You're no king!" "This is real hurtful," another said. "The king should never leave his throne, when you do, that means you are dethroned. He turned his back on us." LeBron James' decision was a "slap in the face to every citizen" in the city.
All the drama left me wondering what our world would be like if Christ-followers showed as much passion for sharing the life-changing message of the “King of Kings.” It is true that most worthwhile things in life are the result of passion. Significant events in human history are the result of people's deep and consuming desires to see goals fulfilled. As Christ-followers our consuming desire should be to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ reach those who are not yet believers. However, we live in an age that tends to dull our sharpness. Our culture obscures the Christian message and would rob our faith of its power if given the chance. Indeed, some Christians just don't understand people who have a passionate concern about spiritual things, because spiritual passion is not the norm. The norm is not to let Christianity disrupt your lifestyle. And as a result, the spiritual temperature of many Christ-followers has dropped and we have become apathetic. I’d rather ask questions like: Where is our burden for those who don’t yet know Christ? Why isn't a passion for the lost the church's central function? Is the church only a self-indulgent activity center, content with comfort and prosperity? Or are we actively carrying out Jesus’ mission to “seek and to save those who are lost?”
Courageous men and women of God have dotted the landscape of church history. Their power came from a passion for holiness and reaching the lost. One example is the early Methodist preacher, George Whitefield. Ordained at age twenty-two, he began preaching with tremendous eloquence and effect. John Newton viewed him as the greatest preacher of his day. His power came from his passion for souls, and he used every God-given ability to lead people to Christ. He once wrote that if his life was in danger of nestling down, God--out of pity--should place a thorn into his nest! He crossed the Atlantic thirteen times and preached thousands of sermons. His gravestone reads that he was a soldier of the cross, humble, devout, and ardent, preferring the honor of Christ to his own interest, reputation, or life.
We are the channel through which God has chosen to communicate His love and saving power to the world. Do we have a passion to reach those who are lost? Or have we lost our passion?
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