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?)

Seasons

Seasons come and seasons go, we move from one set of challenges to the next. As we transitioned into the Fall season, I realized I had not taken the time to look at the summer that flashed by.

As July started we as a church planned a youth weekend. Although most of our kids could not attend, we had some of the kids from the Catholic group come over for a great although dreary-weathered day. The misty rain simply added a veil of mystery and excitement to our discovery. It was great to have Mario and Tonia there to help and experience the day.

Our biggest task in the summer is Ardennen Bijbelkamp. This year Scott taught for a day at Jongerenkamp (15+) and then spent two weeks directing the following camps. Shirley joined him during Benjaminkamp (8-11 year-olds) to help with two kids needing special attention. This was also a week to train two young people who came for the first time as counselors.

The following week saw Scott directing, Shirley in the kitchen and a new team being trained, from assistent director to teacher. Once again we were impressed with how much God can do in young hearts (and older) no matter what the weather or situation – if we are willing to let Him work in us.

Most of the summer was filled with grey days and muddy games outside, but the word of God was still a challenge each day. Who is God? And where do we find Him? At Benjaminkamp one of our campers was a young muslim girl. During Tienerkamp it was encouraging to see how the lessons on the law of Moses were made practical and led into clear discussions about salvation and the gospel. 

After two full weeks of camp, you might think that we’d had enough, but Family Camp is always last in the summer and Scott didn’t want to miss anything there. Challenging, lesser-known stories from the Old Testament gave us good food for thought and conversation. The week ended, as always, with Family Day. But this is one of the things that will soon be changing.

Scott is one of the members of the board for camp and plans the evaluation meeting each Fall. But we also live the closest to camp, so if something needs to be done, we are often the ones who are able to do it. Scott went down on a Monday to make sure that the trash sacks that had accumulated during the summer were finally picked up. Later in the month, those who had directed and taken part in camp met to evaluate and plan for the next year. And there are plenty of changes coming up.

In the meantime, September had arrived and we moved into the next season of our work. But that is for the next time. As the leaves are falling and the temperatures cooling, we look back with contentment at what was done in the summer months and look forward to all the activities waiting.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. Colossians 4:2-3

Do you want to see more photo's? Check out the albums here.