By Brandon Westgate
“Anointed” was the theme we chose for our Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Youth Summer Camp program this year. While a theme may not be the most important aspect of summer camp, that one word or phrase actually shapes the summer camp ministry experience for staff and campers alike. To recap summer camp, I thought it might be well to unpack how that one word, “anointed” impacts the entirety of the camp experience.
Anointed Presence
While our goal as the RMC youth department is “making it easy for kids to know God,” that is never going to be our theme. Our theme does need to be able to fit within our goal, however. We knew going in that anointed was a challenging theme. Anointed means, “to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony.” It can also mean, “to choose by or as if by divine election.”
This summer, we knew that one thing we truly needed if we were to accomplish our goal and fulfill our theme was the presence of God. During our staff training week, we relied on the presence of God to bring unity and foster trust within our staff. At the end of our staff week on Friday evening, we had an anointing service for our staff. The presence of God was palpable as staff poured out needs to God for deliverance from addictions, for strength to forgive, for power to live in grace, for a desire to be used of God, and for countless other needs that we knew could not be produced by mere human effort. We acknowledged God’s presence, and God did not disappoint.
Anointed Play
Fueled by the presence of God, our schedule made space for meaningful connections with our campers. An energetic morning worship kickstarted each day. Four activity periods, each one beginning with a devotional thought and affirmation of God’s presence, gave ample opportunity for engagement in a setting that encouraged healthy play. An all-inclusive recreational period gave our staff chances to make connections with campers they may not have interacted with throughout the day. Cabin worships at the end of each day yielded many fruitful discussions and gave our staff opportunities to answer questions and provide some needed guidance for our campers.
Anointed Programming
Our programming, especially our evening program, was richly graced by the Spirit of God as we worshipped our creator through songs of praise and gratitude. The evening play reinvented the story of David, one highlight of which was the anointing of David by Samuel. Our staff pastors spoke about how the anointing of God’s calling and empowering of His Spirit, propelled David to victory time and time again. Our apathy was challenged, and our faith kindled as we witnessed David rising to the occasion to do the will of God and how God came through for him, like He said he would, each time.
Anointed Purpose
On the last evening of camp our staff led our campers through an anointing service to give them an opportunity to accept both God’s calling on their life, and to accept God’s healing over their life. This was such a Spirit-led time for our campers and our staff. Many tears were shed, many prayers were uttered, and the presence of God was undeniable. Our purpose of “making it easy for kids to know God” was being realized in undeniable ways.
Anointed Decisions
One of the final points of engagement we have with our campers is facilitated using a decision card. These cards offer each camper several selections:
- For the first time in my life, I believe that God exists.
- I want to give my heart/life to Jesus for the first time.
- I already have a relationship with Jesus, and I want to keep on walking through life with Him.
- I wish to be baptized after I leave camp.
- I wish to be baptized here at GVR tomorrow if possible.
- I want to learn more about Jesus through Bible studies.
While each decision is cause for rejoicing, for some reason, the decisions that seemed to resonate with me this summer the most were the campers who checked the box beside the statement that read, “For the first time in my life I believe that God exists.” This means a young person came to camp not knowing that there is a God who cares for them and loves them and wants to guide their life, and they left camp six days later believing for the very first time that God exists!
Anointed Village
Some people ask me if it’s worth it to do the planning and the facilitating of seven weeks of camp, working 17+ hour days and walking about 18,000 steps every day, dealing with the occasional grumpy parent, or home sick camper all while motivating a bunch of college students to work long days and nights for small wages and minimal creature comforts. The answer is and will always be, a resounding and empathic “YES.”
I have the privilege of working with some of the finest young people you will ever meet. Jade Teal and Brent Learned, RMC Youth Department assistant directors, are colleagues who understand our mission and they make work not feel as much like work. Jonathan Carlson, director of Camp Ministries at Glacier View Ranch (GVR), and some incredible volunteers there make GVR feel like home for our staff, and the long days of hard work are actually enjoyable working alongside friends like these. It takes a village to shape the minds and hearts of young people, and I have to say that our village is one of the very best.
If you would like to volunteer either at GVR in Ward, Colorado, or at Mill Springs Ranch (MSR) in Casper, Wyoming, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at youth@rmcsda.org or at (303) 282-3664. We have opportunities from helping with some light remodeling projects, to helping in the kitchen, to painting and all sorts of other things. So, volunteer and become part of our village, making it easy for kids to know God. There is room in our village for you!
—Brandon Westgate is the RMC Youth Department director. Photos supplied.