As followers of Jesus, he is our example in everything. When Camp says in our mission statement that we are “a community of Christ” – this is what we’re saying: we’re a group of people dedicated to the purpose of following and being like Jesus. So the question is, how do we follow Jesus as a community stewarding a Camp and retreat center?
Jesus own practice of retreat is revealing. After an intense day of ministry, directly meeting the dire needs of the people, Jesus set out:
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there. Simon and those who were with him searched for him. They found him and told him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He said to them, “Let’s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because I came out for this reason.” (Mark 1:35-38 WEB)
Jesus sneaked away from the wonderful and powerful ministry that left “everyone looking for him” in order to connect with his Father alone. In order for this to happen, he had to separate himself into a “deserted place”. From this came clarity about his true purpose: proclaiming and demonstrating the Kingdom of God in the next towns. He would continue his ministry of healing in those places, but he was centered on and motivated by his true calling, his true mission.
Our camp and retreat center is not Christian-flavored leisure space. It’s a place to set aside all the noise of our horizontal commitments, challenges, and service – though they are often vital, necessary, beautiful, and worthy. But we go to the deserted place in order to connect to the vertical of who God is calling us to uniquely be and what he is calling us to uniquely do. What if every person who comes to Camp as a camper, staff person, and retreat guest walks away will this clear sense of how they are meant to walk with their Father? How would that change the intimacy of our spiritual lives, the power of our witness, the involvement of our church members, and the experience of our communities?
Several of us want to spend this year exploring this way of walking with Jesus – setting apart time and space for prayer that reveals and clarifies mission. We invite anyone who wants to do the same to retreat to a desert place close to home or here at Camp and pray with us. What is God’s mission for you? As a youth or young adult? As a parent, grandparent or child? As a single person or spouse? As a leader or member in a church? As a neighbor in a neighborhood? As a citizen in society?
We as a community thankfully recognize how Camp has been a place for this type of prayer and encounter with God for many generations. God has revealed mission to people as campers, guests, and staff – an he’s poured out resources to make the mission a reality and equip us for the ministry our mission demands.
If you would to join us visit A Place of Prayer for updates on ways to connect and pray.
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