August 4, 2006

Redwood Camp Meeting took me away for two weeks. I brought back lots of dust and precious memories of our ministry there. When I agreed to help get a college-age group started, my commitment came more from a sense of justice for young people than from confidence in my giftedness.

I lived with significant doubt about my effectiveness. I’m learning to trust more in God’s ability to accomplish miracles for us. One significant affirmation came from Dan. Dan came by our first summer. It was obvious he was looking for something more in his life. He was restless and asked hard-hitting questions.

Dan stopped me this summer as I walked by his camp. He introduced me to his wife and filled me in on what he’d done the past three years. “There’s my car and that’s my tent. I graduated from PUC and am heading to the Seminary at Andrews in one month. You guys really helped to get my life going in another direction. Thanks.”

Teenagers do a lot of growing up in three years. But it was very, very encouraging news to hear that our division had helped provide answers and direction for this one young man. Most of the young people this summer were new to our tent. I thought about those we’d met the previous summers and wondered where they were in life. I wonder what one year will bring to those we were with this summer.

I pray the Spirit’s presence through our presence will bring the encouragement and hope they were looking for. With most, I won’t know what influence we have been able to have. So I consider it a great blessing to hear from a few. It’s God who get all the glory.

"I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.’ Isaiah 45:5-7

Be at peace,
Pastor Steve