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What a week. Say what you will about camps and conferences, but something happens when you get focused for an extended period of time on just listening to God.
In the last session this morning, we had a girl pass out and go into seizures. Needless to say, we are not exactly in the most convenient place in the world for ambulances and hospitals. So about 450 students just sat in the auditorium and prayed.
Out loud.
Together.
For about 20 minutes.
News came back that she was breathing, she was in the hospital, and stable. All of that in 20 minutes was a miracle alone.
So where do you go after that happens in your session? How about worship? So that is what we did.
Eric Wolf - the director of the camp called for students to pursue full-time ministry. A move that more often than not, I resist. I mean, we need Christian film makers, writers, lawyers, mechanics, plumbers, and doctors. But he called specifically for people whose calling and purpose would be to take the story of Jesus cross-culturally. To be a going, great commission worker for God.
Well, the aisles flooded. And while I was impressed, I was cautious. How many of these were just emotional responses?
What Eric did next will probably get him in trouble but I loved it.
He said this…
Before I pray over you, I want you to make sure you’ve counted the cost of this decision. You are going to be laughed at, spit at, some of you will die, all of you will suffer. It’s impossible to be a Christian and NOT be in full-time ministry. What I am talking about here is a specific desire to take the story of Jesus to all peoples of the world, full-time, all the time. I’m talking about missionaries to Africa, Belize, Europe, Young Life leaders, Student Venture leaders, FCA, pastors to cross-cultural people who haven’t heard. Is that you? If it isn’t, I don’t want to embarrass you at all, so when we start praying, just slip back to your seat.
I was just floored. I’ve never heard anyone from the front try to send people back to their seats. And I think he’s right.
What a week. Pics will be coming later.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Heath // Jun 23, 2005 at 12:13 pm
I can honestly say that i’ve never heard anyone send people back either. I’m with you, though… especially in youth it’s easy to get caught in the emotion or “what will people think” (in either direction, the “if I go” or “if I don’t go”) and someone being that brutally honest about it is a great thing! I only regret that I wasn’t there to experience it first hand! I’m looking forward to some fired up youth in the next few days!
2 CL // Jun 25, 2005 at 7:00 am
Those are things we should and need to be saying. I have counted hundreds of teens who have “gone forward” all misty eyed, only to be braiding each others hair during the following days communion service. Wise words, and awesome truths. Glad you guys had a great experience.
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