Strength for Today

On my Facebook page the last day or so quite a few of us have been reminiscing about our Christian camp experience when we were young. I gave my life to Christ on June 20, 1958 at Pine Lake Bible Camp near Eldora, Iowa. I am not sure who it was who first came up with the idea of having a Bible camp or "Christian Service" camp for young people, but I sure am glad they did. What a joy it was to go to several of these camps when I was growing up (late 50s and early 60s). We had morning devotions, flag raising, breakfast, classes, morning chapel, lunch, recreation in the afternoon, pop time, cleanup time, supper, evening vespers, baptisms at the lake, etc. I still have my notes from Russell Boatman's class on "The Church in the Bible." I still have friends I made in camp lo those 50-some years ago. I can still remember and sing many of the choruses we sang. There are moments well spent in our youth that make an impression and prepare us for life, especially when it came time to make that Good Confession: "I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God" just as I did that summer night in June of 1958. My children went to camp and now my grandchildren are doing the same. I am sure camp has changed a lot since then, but I hope that young people are still being challenged to give their lives to Christ in full-time Christian service. Decisions made at camp can last a lifetime; indeed, for all eternity. "Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, for giving to me Thy great salvation so rich and free." And thank you, whoever you were, who came up with the concept of summer Christian camps for young people.