Summer mission camp is one of my fondest memories of childhood. There is just something about being in a camp setting with like-minded individuals having fun while learning more about God’s Word and His love for us.
For me, this summer mission camp was Girls in Action (GA) Camp at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, Louisiana. Little did I know at the time the impact that camp was having on my life. From the early morning wakeup times, to the silly songs in the lunch line, to the smell of chlorine from the pool, to the testimonies of missionaries and the quiet time of devotionals, God was using that impressionable time to conform my heart to who He wanted me to be. Seven years later, while serving on staff at that very camp, He would call me into ministry. That calling would forever change the course of my life and lead me to direct the same missions camp that had such a great impact on me.
Maybe you have a similar camp story. While you were reading the words above, you were reminiscing about your experience and the fond, life-changing memories of camp for you. The fact is, church camp is important, and a church camp that teaches and supports missions is particularly important. In a world full of self-centered thinking, the teaching and understanding of missions has never been more vital.
During my time in seminary, my missiology class helped reiterate the value of providing a theological and practical framework in missions for children. After all, the Great Commission is for every believer, no matter the age. In light of that wisdom, I’d like to offer four values that I learned from missiology class that I implement in children’s camp ministry settings today.
Lay a Solid Biblical Foundation
The saying is true that “what you win them with is what you win them to.” When preparing to give children an experience like camp, remember to keep things Christ-centered. Every game played, every craft built, and every discussion had should be grounded in Scripture. You can have just as much fun playing a game and bringing it back to the Bible as you can anything else. Doing so can help make the more abstract concepts of the Bible a bit more concrete and easy to understand. Children will begin to take hold of the fact that the call of Jesus is for everyone, including them.
Encourage Culture Awareness
Missions camp is a great space to provide inclusive activities that teach children how to appreciate different cultures around the world. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as holding role-play scenarios, providing activities that appeal to the five senses, or interacting with missionaries who are serving on the mission field. Having the children actually experience the tastes, smells, and sounds of diverse cultures can help them appreciate the differences without stereotyping them. It can help mitigate fear and build empathy for others.
Do Missions Together
An important component of missiology is knowing how to adapt the gospel to the local context in which you are serving. Children need to see the words of the gospel “come alive” in the world directly around them. Providing service projects for local or global missions can help foster a child’s mindset toward compassion and the desire to serve others. Concluding the project with a time of prayer reiterates the power of prayer for missionaries and unreached people groups. Whether you are packing care kits for disaster relief teams or organizing food pantries for local mission groups, you are establishing in children the need to participate in missions. Something so simple can be so effective in instilling a missional mindset in children.
Draw Inspiration from History
What a legacy we have in missions left by those that have gone before us! Familiarizing children with missionaries who have answered God’s call can inspire them to do the same. Even though children are young, God is already nurturing and pruning their hearts. Hearing the stories of Lottie Moon, Annie Armstorng, or William Carey might just be what God uses to call them into a relationship with Him, into the ministry, or into serving in the mission field. Utilize the life stories of these faithful followers through skits, plays, or videos to have a missions night at camp. Allow these stories to come alive and stir the hearts of young listeners.
Camp is a fun, memorable time in the lives of children. As children’s ministry leaders, we have the responsibility and privilege to make the most of the time we have with the children that the Lord puts in our care. We must never forget to obey the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Keep the Great Commission central to the work and message of your children’s camp. You never know the impact it might have on those who attend. After all, they could be the next Lottie Moon or Adoniram Judson–or even, may I humbly say, the next Erin Jones.
