Lost Sheep: West Coast Honor Camp 2013

Hi all!

High school campers use their "Lost Sheep" t-shirts to share
the Gospel message Wednesday during ministry outreaches.

As promised: more information about this year's Gospel tool for the high school ministry outreaches at West Coast Honor Camp. In my previous post, I mentioned they were using t-shirts. These particular shirts, called the "Lost Sheep" tool, are blue with a 10x10 grid of sheep on the front. In the bottom right side of the grid, one sheep is missing. When people ask about the missing sheep, the high school campers can share the parable of the lost sheep, found in Matthew 18:10-13. A verse is printed on the inside of the front hem, which can be turned out when sharing.

To find out more of what happened this week, you can check out the pictures on WCHC's Facebook page.

All campers, counselors and staff returned home today. Praise the Lord for another fun year of camp, and I pray all are able to apply what they learned this week, working together to further God's kingdom.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

High School Ministry Outreach: West Coast Honor Camp 2013 Wednesday

Pictures from this year's high-school ministry outreach are available! Check them out on West Coast Honor Camp's Facebook page!

High school campers get their hands dirty during
one of the ministry outreach opportunities at
West Coast Honor Camp.

For those who are new, the high-school campers train Monday and Tuesday to travel into Redding, Calif. and surrounding areas for different outreaches on Wednesday. Outreaches include volunteering to perform maintenance and provide service at a mission, neighboring camps, and throughout the area; singing and sharing the Gospel at a senior center; and putting together a one-day Awana -- complete with water games, songs, a puppet show or a skit, a Bible lesson and verse, testimonies, and the presentation of the Gospel message.

These outreaches are one way of training the high-school campers about serving in ministry, and they teach the campers a different method for sharing the Gospel each year, from the EvangeCube to the Gospel Glove (last year's tool).

This year, they're using a tee-shirt. I will provide more details as they become available.

Please continue to pray for the staff, counselors and campers as they finish this week strong.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

"Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes"

As you may have noticed, my postings have been sparse over the past couple months. Well, by seeing my lack of postings, you've also witnessed a period of great change in my life. And with West Coast Honor Camp starting Sunday, I've been remembering past years, and one in particular applies to my current situation.

Awana Missionary Ed Gossien teaches campers, leaders,
and staff that "Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes"

Each year, Camp has a guest speaker who teaches large-group lessons each night. Last year, the speaker was Pastor Shawn Thornton. You can check out his different messages, as well as other Camp fun under my West Coast Honor Camp tag.

But the year I'm thinking of was the year when Pacific Northwest Awana Missionary Ed Gossien spoke, and the main theme of his messages was "Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes." As Christians, we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking, "I'm going to sit and wait until God tells me what to do, or until God makes the change for me." Now, I'm not saying we rush right out and do what we think is right or what we think we should do -- that's what gets us in trouble because it leads to us doing things our way instead of God's way. But we shouldn't just sit down and passively wait, either: the house doesn't get cleaned if we sit on the sofa and wait for Mickey Mouse's magical brooms to do it for us (this year's Camp theme is "Cartoon").

God tells us in Matthew 6:33 to "seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." This isn't a suggestion; it's not "when you feel like it"; it's not "your answers will just float by"; it's a command. It means we need to actively search for God's direction. We need to actively study the scriptures and apply what we learn.

It means choosing to step forward and make guided changes, even when we don't know the results. As I discussed in "Faith Despite Fear," sometimes those decisions are hard because we fear the future. What if I make the wrong decision? What if I fail? What if I get hurt, or hurt someone else? What if it's not what God wanted me to do?

Consider the analogy of life as a car: it's easier for God to steer if the wheels are moving forward. To expand the analogy, yes, we do sometimes end up in a ditch on the side of the road, or sometimes we have to swerve to miss a pothole. But if we look at the second half of Matthew 6:33 and all of 34, we'll notice that God makes a promise for those who follow His command: "all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." You'll find everything included in that list of "all these things" by reading the complete chapter. But the fact is that as long as you continue moving forward and attempting to become more Christ-like and further God's kingdom, He will take care of you.

These last couple months -- really the last six -- I've been busy with some pretty sizeable life changes. The first was my December graduation from college. The next was planning and preparing for my wedding. Yes, if you noticed on my profile, my name has changed. And now I am adjusting to life as a college graduate and a wife, and hopefully soon I'll be adding an employee to that list.

My marriage in particular turned my world upside down. Is he the man God had in mind? What if he's not? What if I won't be fulfilling God's plan for me if I marry him? On the other hand, what if marrying him is God's plan? We became a couple three years ago, and the approach I chose was, "I'll continue forward on this path until God shows me otherwise." And here I sit, three weeks after our wedding, blessed and full of joy, praying that God continues to steer the car as I drive forward. I continue to pray for His guidance to help me change in ways that further His kingdom.

I will not be blogging from Camp this year; my husband and I are taking some time at home as we just returned from our honeymoon and we have VBS and other outreaches and trips to prepare for. However, you can still keep track of the kids and their fun by checking the West Coast Honor Camp website, the West Coast Honor Camp Facebook page, and the West Coast Honor Camp group page.

Please pray next week for the campers, counselors, staff, and this year's speaker Dr. Dan Iles, a missionary with Indigenous Ministries International.
I too would appreciate prayer as I seek employment.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Faith Despite Fear

Today, there are many people around the world mourning the injury and loss of loved ones for various reasons, from car accidents to bullets and bombs. Most notably in the United States are the recent bombs at the Boston Marathon and the explosion at the West, Tex. fertilizer plant, which resulted in the injuries and deaths of many, including some who were young enough to be Cubbies or Sparks. And many of those affected and watching these tragedies are asking, 'why?''

Often, this question goes unanswered, or it's answered in a way we don't understand, as it was for Job of the Old Testament. Some people respond to a lack of knowledge or understanding with fear, anger, and hatred, as seen in Job's wife's response in Job 2:9.

But it's during these times of fear that we need faith the most, as pointed out in Job's response to his wife, "Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" (Job 2:10).

Faith is continuing forward despite fear, knowing that even though God is not preventing the world's tragedies for reasons we don't understand, He is holding our hand every step of the way. And this is constantly pointed out in both the Old and the New Testaments.

God promises us in Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." He reminds us of this promise in Hebrews 13, "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.'"

Today, people are hurting. But today, others are coming together to help and comfort those in need. Today, people are plodding on, doing the little things they can to show God's love and try to make the world a less scary place. We don't know what the future holds, nor do we understand much of the present. But we do know that even in the darkness, God shines His light and guides us forward.

For more examples of people who moved forward in faith despite fear, I recommend reading Hebrews 11.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by these recent tragedies.

5 Pre-Games to start club before club starts

Once the starting whistle blows and the clubbers run to their color lines for the opening ceremony, the night enters a normal routine. But pre-whistle, what can leaders do with all those high-energy kids?

Some clubs have an area for clubbers to work on their handbooks — a great idea for those kids who come with 20 sections ready, or for those who want the little extra help before Handbook Time.

But if your club is like many, then most of your kids don't embrace the extra study time. Many clubs direct the kids to the Game Square and let them just hang. But some prefer a bit more controlled environment. For the latter, cue the pre-games. Below are five ideas to get you started.

Clubbers play a game of Four-Pie while waiting for the club night to begin.

Four Pie

Materials needed:

• Rubber playground ball (or an 18in.-24in. indoor rubber ball for younger players)
• Game Square

This game is derived from Four Square and works well for early arrivals or clubs with smaller numbers. Players rotate each round, but only four clubbers are actually playing at any time.

The Game Circle is divided into four "pies" by the colored diagonals (Hence "Four-Pie"). The pies are numbered clockwise, with 1 being the entry pie and 4 being the service pie. Each player gets one pie. The object of the game is to reach pie 4 by eliminating the people in the pies ahead of you.

The game starts with the server standing behind the white line at the back edge of her pie. She bounces the ball once, then hits it into one of the other three pies. If the ball bounces in pie 2, then the person in pie 2 must hit the ball into a different pie. Play continues until a player is disqualified. The disqualified player exits the game and stands in line outside the Game Square. Remaining players advance one pie until all pies are filled. Then the server serves again. If the ball lands on the lines instead of inside or outside a pie, players may choose to replay the round.

Players may be disqualified five* ways.

• If the ball bounces in their pie and they fail to hit it to another pie.
• If the ball bounces twice or more in a single pie without bouncing in another pie.
• If the players bounce the ball in their own pie
• If the players double-dribble
• If the players hit the ball outside the circle

*Clubs may include house rules, such as no spikes or the ball must bounce in the pie prior to hitting.

Variations:

• Use the Game Square instead of the Circle, making each section a triangle instead of a pie.
• Play in the Center Square for a smaller area of play and a new challenge.
• Play with two or more players in each section instead of one.

Spider

Materials needed:

• Game Square

This is a variation of tag. One person is the Spider ("it"), and the others try to run away. Players may only run away by following the lines of the "web" (Game Square). If the Spider tags a player, then the player becomes "stuck" in the web and cannot move from the place of tagging. Also, no other players except for the Spider may pass a stuck player. The winner is the last person to be tagged.

 

Robbins and Roosters

Materials needed:

• (Optional) A rope or line dividing the Square into two rectangles
• A designated caller
• Game Square or other square or rectangle

This is another tag variation. Play begins with the players roughly divided evenly into two teams: Robbins and Roosters. The two teams face each other on either side of the line at the center of the square.

The caller names one of the teams, for instance, "Roosters." The roosters cross the center rope and try tagging the robins. The robins turn around and run from the roosters, trying to cross the back square line without being tagged. Any tagged robins become roosters. Once all the robins are either tagged or safely across the line, players return to the center. Play resumes with the caller's team announcement. Play can continue indefinitely by alternating calls.

 

Bowling for Clubbers

Materials needed:

• Giant ball, 18in.-24in. or larger
• Game Square or other square area

This is like Rabbit Hunt or Circle Dodgeball, just with a giant ball. Play begins with a designated group in the circle (all clubbers, all leaders, all T&T, all boys, all girls with pony tails, etc.) The remaining players stand around the outside of the circle. At the whistle, the players outside the circle "bowl" the ball, trying to hit the players inside the circle. When players are hit, they become bowlers outside the circle. The last player in the circle wins, and a new dodging group is designated.

Players in the circle are out if:

• The ball touches them below the neck
• They step outside the circle

Players are not out if:

• The ball hits them in the head
• The bowler steps inside the circle
• The bowler throws the ball instead of bowling

Variation: The Gauntlet

Play begins with a designated group of runners standing behind one of the four square sides. The other players line the two sides of the square adjacent to the runners. At the whistle, the runners try to safely pass through "the gauntlet" by running across the opposite line without getting touched by the ball. The players on either side bowl the ball back and forth, trying to hit the runners before they cross the line. Runners touched by the ball join the bowlers. Runners who make it safely through wait for the whistle and then try to run back. The last runner wins, and new runners are designated.

 

Helicopter

Materials Needed:

• Jump rope or long rope with a ball at the end (will hit or wrap around player's ankles)
• Optional: Gloves (prevents rope burns)
• Game Square or other large playing area

Play begins with all but one of the players standing in a circle with the last player in the middle holding the rope ball. The center player holds the non-ball end of the rope and begins rolling the ball around him, gradually letting the rope out until it is fully extended. The players surrounding him jump the rope as it swings by. Players are out if they fail to jump, or if the rope or ball hits their ankles. Once a player is disqualified, play begins again. The game continues until only one player remains.

What are some things you do for that pre-club time? Please share them in the comments!

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Does ministry have a retirement age?

We live in a time where the norm is working until the age of 65, then retiring and spending the rest of our lives relaxing in leisure and fun, reaping the benefits of our savings from years of hard work.

But what about in the realm of ministry? Last post, I discussed how God can call and certify people at a young age. But once we're called into ministry, does there come a time while we're on Earth when God says, "You've worked enough years, so you can retire"?

God can use anyone to further His kingdom, regardless of age.

In Numbers 8:23-25, God commands Levites of 25 years to work in the Tabernacle until the age of 50. When they reach 50, "they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more."  At first glance, this appears to be God telling the Levites to retire. But is this really a command to cease ministry, or is it a command to change the way of service?

The answer is found in the next verse. In Numbers 8:26, God makes it clear that the Levites are no longer to perform physical labor, perhaps because their bodies became less capable of the physical demands necessary to maintain the Tabernacle. However, instead of allowing them to step out of ministry completely, God commands them to take on a role of advisement and guidance, continuing to do what they could to meet the needs of the people: "They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to attend to needs." So, it was not retirement from ministry but a change in how they serve.

Older generations filling roles of guidance and advice can be seen in the New Testament as well, as with Jesus's disciple John. John wrote his gospel and letters to the believers nearly 50-60 years after his service by Jesus's side. Some sources suggest John was anywhere between 15 and 30 years old when he began his service, which means he was between 60 and 90 when he advised the Christians in John 20:31: "But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in his name." John is actually the only disciple to live to see old age, as all the others became martyrs. If anyone deserved a break from ministry, he did, because of working by Jesus side, and because of what he and his fellow disciples had to face. And yet, here is evidence of him still doing what he could to teach and serve others for Christ.

Even today we can find evidence of God still calling those along in years to serve. In the last post, I mentioned that one of Awana's founders, Art Rorheim, began in children's ministry at the age of 17. This year, 2013, he turns 95. And yet, according to his bio on the Awana website,  he still "works at Awana headquarters two days a week to inspire and motivate staff. He also travels worldwide to speak at conferences and meet with ministry leaders and partners."

God is able to use anyone to further His kingdom. I remember one year at West Coast Honor Camp, our speaker taught on the power of God, pointing out three main points: my God is able, my God is able to use me, and my God is able to use me as I am. The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:13 that when Christ gives me strength, I can do all things — there is no age limit. When I am no longer able to lift the game equipment boxes at club or perform my flute at church or in a band, I can still teach and guide. I can still help children learn about love, about morals and values, about respect, and about God.

Take note, however, that though there is no retirement from ministry as we breathe, there will indeed come a time when our work will be done and we can rest. In Matthew 25:20-23, Jesus shares the parable of the talents. Those that were faithful servants without knowing when the master would return were put in charge of greater things. But along with receiving responsibility, they received another blessing: "Enter into the joy of your lord."

We too have a blessing, a retirement awaiting us when we finally leave this world. John discusses this spiritual retirement in Revelation 21 and 22. But until such time as we are called home, there is no retirement age to ministry.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Graduation and God's Credentials

On Dec. 8, I donned the black gown, black cap, and black tassel with a gold pendant reading 2012 before walking down the aisle and across the stage for a small, rolled up paper bound by a blue ribbon. On Dec. 18, I climbed into my snow-covered car and drove to Reno to take my last final. And sometime in January, I will receive in the mail the framed paper signifying that according to the University of Nevada, Reno, I will be qualified to be a journalist and a writer of English. I will be ready to step into the world and begin doing what I have been trained to do — provided I find someone willing to accept these credentials.

But what is it exactly that makes me qualified? The working world and the education world say it's the piece of paper that shows I spent 16 or more years training. But what about what God says? Am I qualified to work in His world?

The answer is no. And I don't have to be. You see, I am not qualified — I am called. The world says, "You have the training, so I choose you." God says "I choose you, and I will train you." In John 15:16 God tells us this plan, with no age limitation: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and your fruit should remain."

I was actually called many years ago, as early as five, to begin my training. And that is how God works, calling His children at a young age and training them to be qualified.

One of the youngest in the Bible that God called and trained was King Josiah, found in 2 Kings 22: 1-2. Josiah was only 8 when he was placed on the throne. Now, how much did you know about life at 8 years old? Enough to rule a kingdom? I know I certainly didn't.  Yet Josiah "did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David."

The prophet Samuel was also called at a young age, quite literally. In 1 Samuel 3, we see God's first prophecy to Samuel, who the scripture calls a "boy." At the end of the chapter, we see as God trains him to be the prophet: "So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground."

During the time of the New Testament, men were old enough to work and women were old enough to wed at the ages of 12 and 13. As such, many theorize that Mary was around 12 years of age when the angel appeared to her.

Jesus himself was following God's calling as early as 12, as we see in Luke 2:41-49. Joseph and Mary found him teaching the scholars in the temple. After He was chastised for disappearing, He reminded them of what God called Him to do. "Why did you seek me? Did you not know I must be about my Father's business?"

Even today, God calls before He trains. Pastor Marvin Dennis, who retired this last month, preached for 40 years — 25 of which were at Good Shepherd Wesleyan Church, and the last eight of which I had the honor of learning from his messages. He was called to preach at the age of 15. One of Awana's founders, Art Rorheim, was called into youth ministries at age 17. Today, at 94 years of age, he still teaches at Summit and at headquarters.

In Awana, part of what we are to do is to help children to know where God is calling them, teaching them to be open to the training God has in store. In the key verse for Journey, 1 Timothy 4:12,
Paul points out that even at a young age, Timothy's call is important and has an impact.

So what does that mean for the framed paper I am to receive in January? It means that at the age of five, God called me to write, and now, at the age of 21, I have completed one step of His training.

I pray you all have a Merry Christmas, and I encourage you to meditate on what and when God called you, and how He has given you the training to do His will.

Be sure to check back in the new year as I share the things God is teaching me through the children!

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.