Bible Camps and ACOP Culture

[Nate]

Camps have been essential to my spiritual upbringing. Being around passionate, spirit-filled leaders gave me opprtunities to be mentored and to have postive role models. Camp also has given me some of my greatest friends who I continue to seek Jesus with to this day. It also has given me plenty of “mountain-top experiences” in the presence of the Lord where I have been transformed through encounter

[Sarah]

I never went to Bible Camp but I did Street Invaders which I feel falls under the same idea and structure. If it were not for Street Invaders I would not be in ministry today. I would have likely walked away from my faith at 18 and there is no way I would have attended Eston College had it not been for Street Invaders. I owe it to the Lord, but he used Street Invaders in a very meaningful way for me to show me who I am, who he is, what what he has called me to be. I am so grateful for camps and programs like Street Invaders as they have impacted so many lives.

[Taliya]

Adult and family camps have provided a special opportunity for deeper spiritual connection with those closest to you. Compared to teen camp where a teen would grow in their faith with their peers, but maybe not have the same experience outside of camp, family camp allows for spiritual growth within the family and that environment can be carried on at home after camp. Parents also have a lot of influence in the family, so if the parents can be apart of the spiritual growth that is happening in their child’s life, there is a better chance for that spiritual growth to be nurtured at home.

Bible camp has been a huge part of my life. I grew up going to Veteran Camp and it has been a wonderful time of connection, mentorship and spiritual growth. I hope to continue going with my family in the future.

[Chris]

The Pentecostal Movement started out with camps and tent meetings and in that way, it is connecting to our past heritage. As mentioned in the video, the Jewish people spend a week each year celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles wherein they remember how their ancestors spent 40 years living in tents in the wilderness. As Christians, we can connect with both of these parts of our past by attending Bible Camp!

I have attended Bible Camp as a child and as an adult with my own children. I have always enjoyed camp and have felt that some of my most impactful times with the Lord have been at camp. There really is something to be said about unplugging from the world and spending quality time with God, family and other brothers and sisters in Christ!