Camp Treasure Island
~ by Joni Mindrebo

Summer in the Children’s Ministry means one big thing, Camp Treasure Island! During the first full week of August, our church campus is transformed into an island get-a-way, complete with an enormous waterslide, large tents for crafting, and Bible rooms in the sanctuary. When you come to church on Sunday, August 6, you will see the decorations filling the sanctuary and lobby. A boardwalk walkway will lead you into the sanctuary where palm trees will be standing tall, guarding each pew.

CTI The transformation on campus always makes me think about the transformation we are praying to see in the lives of the children who come to camp. Out of the 260 campers coming, only a small number are from our church. Over 200 children are coming to our campus to experience the fun and excitement of a week on a tropical island. I am praying that while they are here, they are also hearing the truth of the Good News that Jesus came to teach us. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 talks about the transformation Jesus came to give us when it speaks of being a new creation in Christ. No longer will we be viewed “according to the flesh” but will be seen in Christ – a new creation.

The physical transformation on campus is easy to see – the large palm trees will be very hard to miss! But often times, spiritual transformation of the heart is quite a bit harder to see in the day to day. Often, our spiritual transformation looks more like Nicodemus; slow and steady, over periods of time, not all at once. It’s hard to pray for the spiritual lives of children that we see in such a large group for one week out of the year. But, I believe that it happens. I believe that God is using each day of CTI, each Bible lesson, to transform the minds and hearts of the children in attendance. I am praying each day as I go over the lists and the to-dos that all of our work and effort has an effect in the Kingdom through life transformation in our campers, even if I am not blessed to see it here on earth.

When you see the decorations, will you pray with me? Will you pray that God will move in big ways and in small ways? Will you pray that God will open each child’s heart to the truth of His Word? That He will transform them just like we transform the campus?

Thank you for all of your support and prayers as we work towards a great week.

 

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

 

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