More of this will change the world
This was a great weekend. It was our churches 7th straight year having a Men and Boys Camp. It was amazing. There were 88 men and boys that stayed overnight and 10-15 that commuted. We left the church on Friday at 6:00 and traveled to Camp Bayoca in Wears Valley. Upon arriving at the camp, the first job was tents. Get all the tents up and staked down and then the fun can begin.
There were tents of all sizes. Tents so small they looked like they were display miniatures of the real tents and then there were tents that were larger than mine and Tammy’s first home. It was great.
While this was all going on the kitchen fired up for Friday night dinner. Hot dogs for all. 160 hot dogs and chips and 15 gallons of Powerade were consumed. As the boys finished their dogs, they scattered. Some were in the creek catching crawdads, some were throwing football, some were at the lake fishing, and some were already in their snacks that their moms sent them. It was a scene never forgotten.
Then it was time for our first church service. Jerry Traxler and our youth praise team led the worship and let me tell you it was amazing. Seeing 80 to 100 men and boys praise God and worship like they did was a moment that makes a Pastor smile. Look in the bottom left-hand corner of the picture. There, you smiled too didn’t you?
After worship, Kendall Terry preached on strong men. Great message about David. Then he tore two phone books in half. The kids were stoked (some of the men also, but they wouldn’t admit it). Friday night 18 kids accepted Jesus. It was a great night. Then, Tony dismissed service and they scattered again.
Saturday was another day full of fun. Hatchet throws, archery, water balloons, more food and more hot dogs, more fishing and more crawdad hunting. Dinner was the best. Josh Sturgill brought bacon wrapped deer and duck kabobs. Oh heavens! Can’t speak much about it because it makes my mouth water. Then another service much like the night before. 9 kids and men accepted Jesus on Saturday night. Adam Harris gave part of his testimony and Jerry Teaster brought the message about being a real man.
Tony Williamson was the master planner for boy’s camp and our children’s pastor. He has done a great job planning and organizing and just making it happen. Yes, he had some great men around him but none of them were responsible for everything. As a Pastor, I am grateful for Tony and all the other great men of our church. They are making a difference. It seems like every week something great is happening. This Thursday our KidStock kicks off at 7pm. It’s our version of vacation bible school.
I guess the moral of the story is that our work is never in vain. We never know what impact we are making at the time. But if do the right things for the right reasons the effects will echo in eternity. There were over 50 boys that saw men playing, fishing, swimming, cooking, eating, talking, and laughing with them. And then they saw them on their knees worshipping God.
That’s real. Go ahead, make lots of money, get promoted, teach your children your trade of choice, your athletic prowess, and your great knowledge of the world. But also, teach them that before all of that can do a thing for them, teach them to worship. Lead by example. Look at this picture and you will see boys growing before your very eyes into men of God, ready to change their family, their schools, and their world.
More of this will change the world,
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