2,400 Guests!

We're expecting 2,400 guests to join us here at Camp Evergreen between September and the end of November, 2015.  2,400 is a large number.  By comparison is only 2,637 km to Disneyland from Camp Evergreen.  (I just checked on Google Maps as Disneyland is never far from my mind!).

Typically when we think about the ministry here at Evergreen we think about our summer camps.  And rightly so.  We think about chapels and camp fires.  We think about singing and testimonies.  We think about speakers and cabin devotions.  And while its true that ministry happens in summer (267 campers made a life changing decision this summer), the other ten months of the year have just as much value in our ability to see lives transformed by the power of Jesus.

I was reminded again this morning scrolling through Google News, that we live in a very messed up world.  However, I was also encouraged this morning reading the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, that we need to make the most of every chance we get, to share Christ's love and character with our world. 
 

While its true that we can't verbally share the Good News of Jesus Christ to the majority of our guest groups this fall, we can create an atmosphere that is safe, encouraging and inviting.  We can make the best use of our time.  One of our goals is to provide our guests with such a good experience that they want to come back as campers.  Another goal, is to simply share the love of Christ, through our actions and service, to bless our guests, and plant seeds of hope.

Over the next couple of months we will have Christian schools, home schools and secular schools.  We will have special need adults, youth groups, heart transplant children (pre and post surgery), University of Calgary students, athletes, a machine knitting club, band camps, girl guides, boy scouts and two men's retreats.

We have an opportunity to share the powerful witness of Christ.   One of our first time Beaver groups from Calgary recently shared on their evaluation, “You can feel that this is a Christian camp; it was a comforting environment filled with the Holy Spirit even without anyone talking about it.” 

So if you're wondering what we do the other ten months of the year?  We keep on sharing Christ and loving our guests into the Kingdom of God.  If you're also wondering how you can help?  Continue to pray, continue to give and continue to volunteer.  We can't do this ministry alone!

Bob “Ranger” Kroeker