Training to be a leader

One of the great things of our Bible camp (Ardennen Bijbelkamp or ABK) is that it is for and from everyone in the various churches in the Netherlands and Belgium. From the beginning this was a place to help church members grow, to grow contacts among church members, and to learn new skills - all in the wonderful beauty of the Ardennes. I know that I have learned and grown so much through the years because of the things organized at camp. 

One of the things that we want to make possible is that those who want to become a camp leader have the training necessary to do that. And those who don’t know that they can become camp leaders, actually can. We have done this in the past by inviting people to be an assistant camp leader and training them “on the job”. Those who have served as counselors have also grown into camp leaders. And we continue to use this way of training, because it is very hands-on and personal. 

In addition to this we have dreamed for some years of developing a training to help teach some of the things we have all learned through the years. This could be a weekend, a week or simply a day. It is always hard to find slots in schedules for people from across the country, so we settled this year, for the first time, on a day. This was a training session, as we called it: Inspiration for Aspiring leaders. We want those learning to lead to know that although it is scary to take this kind of responsibility, we are not alone. We are busy working with God and in His might. So His Spirit can lead us in these efforts. That is why I called it “Breathe”. 

I planned this together with pour colleague from Ghent, Luk Brazle, and with Shirley. We had a compact group of 5 others who in some ways had already helped at camp, either as counselors, assistant leaders or teachers, but wanted to learn more about being a camp leader. Our camp weeks take on the character of the camp leader who is leading them. There are some things which are always the same (like the age group of the campers, dates and some of the themes, but there is a lot that comes down to the style of the camp leader. 

The training day was a mixture of information that is necessary for a camp leader to run a week of camp as well as practical information and training on how to deal with certain situations that experience has taught us will always show up. “What is leadership?:” was the most important question and we looked at Jesus for our example and answer. 

We are so thankful to be able to be part of this effort. It is so good to see how camp has touched so many lives throughout the years and that it is still a place where members can learn to lead and serve. It continues to be a wonderful place and time where campers get to know who Jesus is, what God does and is doing, and how life in God looks like and works in everyday life. 

This summer Shirley and I will be working with a team leading the oldest age: Youth Camp (15-20 year-olds). We are thankful for the team we have been able to gather to help with sharing the beauty of this life in Christ. 

What experiences have you had with Bible Camp? Did you go to camp when you were young. Have you helped in the past? Are you a helper still? How else are you letting God change you and grow you in His grace and love? 

(In the picture - How do you work with a team to complete a task?)

Whensday: Ardennen Bijbelkamp (ABK)

I talk a lot about Ardennen Bijbelkamp. That’s because a lot of what we do has to do with this wonderful tool that has been given us. At the end of this month we will gather with members of the church from various congregations around the Netherlands and Belgium to talk about how camp has been used and how we can continue to use it wisely for the churches. 

This place was first conceived and purchased back in 1965 by various brothers in the French- and Dutch-speaking churches at the time as well as some brothers from the US. The desire was to have a place in God’s wonderful creation which could be used to help members grow in faith. This would be a place for youth and family camps, a place where congregations could go for a retreat together, a place where members or families together could simply get away and meditate on God’s Word together. 

From the very beginning it was a place that was for all of the congregations. The work that was done to clear the land was done by various churches. Later, as buildings were erected, this works was done again by members of the various congregations working together. In the first days, everything was done in tents. Later a simple shed-type ‘building’ was constructed. 

In the 1960’s many of the French-speaking churches made good use of the land. It is, after all, in French-speaking area in Belgium. Solwaster is only about 20 minutes from the resort town of Spa (you can read more about that in these articles). As the congregations grew, partially because of this tool, more possibilities were added to the camp terrain, including a kitchen and toilets. 

Mind you, in the beginning there was no running water and certainly no sewage system. That had to be taken care of by members as well. When a plumbing system came, the toilets were still flushed by buckets of water hauled from the creek which runs through the terrain. I even remember washing in the creek, and that was in the 1980’s. 

We didn’t have electricity at camp for quite some time. Lighting was done with gas lamps. Food was bought each day fresh or was planned to be food that would not spoil. In the 1990’s we were able to purchase a generator, the church members getting together for the funds and the installation. And for years the sound of the oil-spouting diesel generator was added to the sounds of camp - alongside the squeals of kids playing in the creek, the quiet of people reading their Bibles, the joyful singing together. 

By the 2000’s we finally had real electricity, plumbing had been around for some time and we began dreaming about maybe finally putting the plumbing into the dormitory that had been built in the 1980’s. But it was the demolition of the main hall in 2012 that was first to come. This was to make way for the new hall and upper room. Many of you worked on this building or helped to finance it. 

After the main building was renovated, the use of camp was able to move further. From being usable for perhaps 10 times in the year (4 major weeks in the summer and various weekends through the year) we moved to using it almost 20 times a year. The last three years, after a renovation of the dormitory, we have used camp om average 30 times a year. 

And there are more plans coming. The next renovation will be to the kitchen and toilet/bathroom section, bringing everything into the new century. This has all only been possible because of an inheritance from a sister who had been there from the very beginning in 1965. When she passed away - to wait for us all at the Home prepared for us by Jesus - she left her funds to make sure that camp would be provided for. 

I am thankful that we (Shirley and I) have been able to experience quite a bit of this history. Another time I will talk about how much Bible Camp (this one, but more importantly a few others) have been in my faith wak and life. We pray that this place has been such an influence to the people who have come to Ardennen Bijbelkamp. Thank you for your prayers and your working together throughout the years. 

Go here to find all sorts of pictures from many years of camp. (choose a year, then click on the photo)

(By the way, find me and Shirley in this first photo. Our colleagues are in the second photo. Both of these taken before we were married couples)

Lead or get out of the way

This past week I was privileged once again to be able to attend the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS) in Gemünden, Germany. This is a mid-week and weekend session of Bible studies with various teachers and leaders from around Europe and the world. It is not only a great time to ‘feast’ on good spiritual food (with some good challenges), but is also a wonderful time to see old friends and make new friends from around Europe.

The lessons this year seemed to be centered around leadership. How do we become leaders – which processes do we face along the way and how can we be aware of them? What is leadership exactly? What does it look like? How do we respond to modern idolatry, taking a stand and being an example? We listened to Craig Young, Patrick Boyns, Doyle Key and Jim McGuiggan.

One of the things that stuck with me was the idea that God is a giver. He so enjoys giving to all and especially to His children. And in His giving, He is wanting to save everyone – all the world. Of course we know this as Christians. But it is so good to be reminded again.

And He so wants to reach the world with His wonderful love and grace that if we do not - if we are standing in the way not allowing ourselves to be used – then we are blocking Him, keeping Him from doing that which He will do. And He will do it (bring His grace) even if we have to be moved out of the way so that He can reach others.

I do not want to be in the way – I want to be part of this wonderful, gracious, giving God’s plans to bless the world each and every day and into eternity. And He can use even me! And you. Join me in following Jesus as he brings grace to those around us.

Here are some pictures from the part of the week I was present (I went home on Friday, but some stayed through the weekend).