This week of summersalt has been off the chain.  My students are here from Barnwell!  It has been so much fun hanging out with them and meeting new friends as camp pastor.  Also, my family came up on Wednesday.  I launched Connor today on the blog in the lake…once.  After that he was scared to death.  We did get it on video!

I’ve met some cool friends.  Amy, Corbin, Kye, Bobby, Julie (who I keep calling Laura and who got saved tonight!!), Lauren, and a ton of other teenagers.

But the coolest thing this week was that tonight we celebrated over 25 students who came to know Christ.  Some of them came to know Christ in their church group devotion time last night after being confronted with their sin in the message last night.

I feel priveledged to be a part of their spiritual story.  Every time they tell their spiritual story to someone, I will have a small part.  My prayer is that they will be the spiritual story of someone else…and someone else…and someone else.  God continues to rock my world.

I am standing in the back of the worship center at the close of week one watching students worshipping our Lord with hands raised high.  There is an excitement at what God has done in their life this week.  Our desire was that they might leave this week owning their faith.  That they would havde statements that begin with I believe… that they could defend and be firm about.

My prayer is that as they go back to their communities that they will be missionaries on the largest mission field in North America.  If people do not come to know Christ by the age of 18 there is only a 20% chance that they will.  College students are leaving the fellowship of believers in the droves.  30% of those active in church ministry will remain.  That is not including those who are not even a part of the church.  Statistically, parents are not raising their children in the Lord and are not impressing the truths of the faith on their children.

So WHO is going to take the message of the gospel to them!  Jesus used 10-11 teenagers (his disciples) to change the world (there is evidence to believe that John was as young as 13).  I believe that he can do it again.  Don’t let your life be a Christian Walk…Run, Set the Pace, Be the Church to the Community and allow God to transform the World through you beginning where you are.

Summersalt has been phenomenal.  The theme is Captive and our desire is for students to not be held captive by the myths and philosophies of this world but be grounded in their faith in the good doctrines from the Word.  The staff is awesome and the worship is great.  Steve Rohrlack and Cory Singleton have produced a seamless, Christ centered camp.  Very well done.  Judd from Gateway Baptist is leading worship and is electric.  I have the honor of speaking.   I have also met some great friends this week.  Jason, Heather, Miranda, Jack, Nick, Jay, Lee, Alexandria, Sarah, Lydia, and Alex.  There are also some great student ministers here like Kevin, Ian, Bernie, Johnny, and James to name a few.  My heart goes out to those who dedicate their lives to influence the next generation.

Monday we challenged the students to train themselves and put forth effort into what they believe.  I Tim. 4

Tuesday they were challenged to nail down what they believed about the Bible and why.  Then they were urged to read it, if it is they believe it is the very breath of God.  II Tim 3

Wednesday was heavy.  We talked about the doctrine of sin.  Ephesians 2:1-3.  We had several students come to know Christ during their church group devotion times after the worship and message.

Tonight is going to rocking.  Pray that students will come to know Christ tonight!

By the way, Whiteoak has had a face lift and it looks unbelievable.  Roger Orman and Tim Hughes led the charge in building a high ropes course, covering the basketball area, and a new cool lounge and snack bar.  It’s awesome!