Report #3

This week was an amazing experience! When we arrived as a team we were all pretty tired. I drove for 5 hours straight the whole way there starting off early in the morning. As soon as we showed up to camp Man-o-lan in P.A. I was exhausted from driving. We had made it just in time for the opening staff meeting right before the kids showed up.

Monday and Tuesday were tiring days. My attitude was hugely affected by my lack of rest. The first two days got me used to the flow of things. Starting at 8 am we got our campers to breakfast, followed that up with cabin devotions and straight to chapel. At this moment I was just sitting in with the senior counselor of my cabin so I was helping with whatever he needed. After lunch started afternoon activities. I was in charge of the skate park from 2 pm to 4 pm every day. On Monday I found out the skate park required wearing full pads, which made me a little disappointed. I have never warn pads before and neither did the majority of kids skating. Because I was so tired and my attitude was already pretty bad I handled it in a little rough. So that was a rough first day at the skate park. After the skate park we had supper followed up with field games, camp fire and cabin devotions. All through out the day I would be with the kids and help the band with their set up (as I am traveling with an IWU worship team). After talking with some of the guys on my team about the skate park they encouraged me to learn to skate well with the pads on and lead by a good example. I took it to heart and did so. By the end of the week there were new kids showing up learning how so skateboard. It was great!

Tuesday afternoon I seriously prayed to the Lord for energy from supper so that I could be more effective in my ministry. God strongly blessed that prayer and I gained so much energy and joy. The rest of Tuesday I was able to truly show myself to the kids and gain many great relationships. Wednesday was amazing! To cut to the chase, the senior counselor felt the need to let me lead the night devotions. After a very powerful night of worship through skit, preaching, and music our guys were thinking very strongly on things. To say the least, by the end of devotions every guy in our cabin was on their knees in a circle and each one of them accepted Christ into their hearts, some for the very first time! We stayed up for hours early in the morning discussing, confessing, praying and encouraging! God had truly stuck our guys! The following morning I led our cabin devotions again. I stressed the importance of preparing your heart before services. So our cabin went to chapel early to get ready to meet with God. The amazing thing is that that service turned out to be a huge revival service! To say the least, it ended with anointing of oil and kids came forward to their counselors and got prayed for, kids were weeping out to God and accepting Christ into their hearts! At one point when it was silent I announced how our guys that very night got on their knees and accepted Christ. I explained why they got on their knees and encouraged everybody in the chapel to do the same. Everyone ended up falling to their knees weeping and praying. The service lasted an hour over its original time. People continued praying after it in groups and everything! Friday was a day of relaxation and fun. We hung out with the kids and prepared them for battle. Friday was a celebration day.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 pm to 11 pm
These times are mixed together with hanging out with the kids, working with the band, skate park duties, and devotionals.
Personal Reflection:

This week was great! Kid truly found the Lord! Our team was a bit discouraged for the first two days because the kids seemed so stale and to themselves. But by Thursday we couldn’t keep them silent about from holding in their joy! They were singing to the Lord in the cafeteria and everything! It was awesome! Overall it taught me great perseverance. It was great to be able to use skateboarding, such an underground thing, to help kids enjoy their week at a Christian camp. Using your talents for the Lord is always a great privilege.

Spiritual Reflection:

Spiritually, it was fantastic! I was able to spent really good divine times alone with God and allow myself to feel Him in my own life. The Lord boomed on the chapels and in the cabins. It was easily evident that the Lord was moving in that camp that week. The skate park issue with the pads really stretched me and taught me a lot about myself. I learned a lot more self control. When it came down to campers asking me questions on the night when my whole cabin received Christ, God truly anointed me with the words to say. That was a great experience. I truly feel like I am being used from God strongly. I also feel that I am growing so much more in the Lord through these experiences!


Interview Questions:

James Hite – Program Director of Man-o-lamp camp in Quakertown P.A.

1.) How long have you been in youth ministry for?

16 years

2.) When ministering to the opposite sex what do you find to be the most difficult part about it?

I am married but the most difficult thing is that they don’t get the wrong impression. Being careful on giving love and gentleness and keeping the right focus.

3.) What is the hardest part about youth ministry?

Preparing bible studies and devotionals. Paper work, getting ready and organized because it’s very important yet the dullest part, like homework.

4.) What is the most fun part about youth ministry?

Out of everything, a kid finding freedom and love. Working with a quality staff is more fun and makes the work easier.

5.) What do you find is the best way to help teenagers grasp a message?

A good object lesson that relates to everyday life. It feeds the spirit.

6.) What is your greatest success?

I cannot strive for success, I can strive for faith. If you are faithful to what God has called you to do then you are successful. Look for success through Gods eyes.

7.) What is your greatest failure?

In youth ministry you have to be willing to dare some things. Honestly, I accidently set a kid of fire once.