Impact 08

Impact 2008 Construction Zone was a huge success. God’s word was communicated and received. Praise/worship took place everyone day. Students made decisions. Counselors connected with students and walked them through decisions. There was a month’s worth of fun condensed into essentially five days. While we don’t have any statistics to support this, we are convinced there were fewer health/safety and discipline problems than any camp the last six years.

(Several students told us Sunday morning they wished Impact would have lasted two weeks. The looks on our faces probably will prevent them from mentioning that again.)

We will not fill up this page thanking everyone, but we cannot express our appreciation enough for all who helped Impact 2008 to be a success. Impact @ Home (Weekmans et. al.), Mom Squad, Rec Team, Pastors, Boat Team, Nurse Waddell, Drama Team, Tech Team, Admin Team, Cooper camp staff, etc. were awesome! Connecting with parents, staff and other church members through the blog and e-mails was a blessing for you and us. We reported to the camp throughout the week how many hits the blog received. Thank you!

Impact is special part of Providence Student Ministries. It helps the ministry push parent-based and discipleship-based student ministry, and it is a joy to be part of it. Be amazed that God has done and is doing some incredible things among our students – but don’t be surprised!

Chris & Miriam

Last night’s worship service was phenomenal!  Both Pocket and J.D. did an amazing job of leading our students into the Lord’s presence and engaging them on a deep level.  J.D. challenged our students to think upon how Christ was frightened at the prospect of the cross and despite that fear, still chose to sacrifice Himself for us all.  While a sober thought, it was that perspective that really lead many of our students to understand the sacrificial love of Christ on our behalf.

After evening family groups, our students gathered for ice cream and some fun outdoor games which culminated with our annual fireworks display put on by our rec team.  The students loved the fireworks and the rec team really out did themselves this year! Our student counselors have been an amazing group and perhaps one of our best to date.

Our final time of worship this morning provided the students with an opportunity to ask some hard hitting questions to J.D. about what he’s spoken on this week.  Questions ranged from the intricacies of the Trinity to whether or not Adam and Eve went to heaven.  I encourage you to engage your students when they return home to aid them in their continued focus on the Lord and how to build His kingdom.

Our final preparations this morning for departure are going well.  Students are finishing their final family groups and the rest of the team are packing and cleaning up around camp to close out another amazing year of Impact.

Chris

Wednesday night’s Variety Show was a blast. Each family group performed a three minute or less skit. The theme of the night involved food, liquids, teenagers and a stage. I’ll let parents ask their students about the disgusting details of some of the skits.

J.D. is really challenging the students to consider the evidence for God. He challenged all of us on Thursday morning to understand the evidence for Christ and trust Him with the things we can not understand.

Thursday was a great day with some very deep and engaging seminars led by several of our pastors and other church leaders. We enjoyed some really hot rec activities. All the boats are running great, even though two tubes have seen better days.

This evening during worship, Pocket led a powerful praise time, and J.D. challenged the students to dare to do great things for God, based on Daniel 3 and Joshua 10. During the service a major thunderstorm arrived and caused us to make a decision to stay inside the worship building and not go to our family group meeting rooms. This was truly a God thing. Family groups were tasked with discussing the evening service and J.D.’s main points, therefore they did not need their family group materials (which were in their various rooms). We simply broke into family groups inside the worship building and met for an our or so. God moved on many students. While we waited for the storm to pass and snacks to be prepared, our praise leader played the keyboard while students read prayers J.D. had them record in their camper guides. Honestly, it was a tremendous experience. Please ask your students about it.

The storm finally passed, we had hot dogs and snow cones and cotton candy – making it a complete and wonderful day.

Chris

We are having a blast at camp. J.D. has taught us about Proitiation (absorbed anger), Redemption (price paid) and Justified (righteousness obtained). The band really started connecting with students last night and this morning. Family groups are engaging better now.

The Barn Dance may have been our best evening special event ever at Impact. Please notice Richard leading the Electric Slide. Miriam and I had a lot of fun bobbing for apples in front of the campers.

The fireants are mostly under control, the weather since Monday afternoon has been outstanding and we’ve not had any serious injuries.

7th grade girls (Blueprints) was the fastest group throught the Maze. Pink Painters (8th grade girls) won the Construction Crew Recruiting Activity. 12th graders won some Challenge Points for having the cleanest bus.

Please continue praying for safety, weather, spiritual movement in family groups and the strength/stamina of J.D., Pocket and counselors.

Chris

We wanted to thank those of you who have been praying for a student who has been sick over the past day here at camp.  He is feeling much better and will hopefully be back up to full speed very soon.

Chris

Monday was a super day at Camp Bob Cooper. We experienced a nice storm that cancelled the last part of free time activities but enabled students and counselors to get to know each other in dorm rooms and meeting rooms.

Monday night worship with J.D. and Pocket was great. We are being led down a very intentional path of making sure we have true salvation and leading from that to service.

Counselors and staff have been patient through the “get-to-know-you” day. Monday night we navigated the Maze that covered an entire basketball court. (Many students bumped into each other trying to find their way out.)

Keep the comments coming. We covet them and your prayers.

Chris

Your students and loved counselors have arrived at Camp Bob Cooper – safely. Camp has begun, and we are having a ball at a great location. We will update this blog throughout the week.

We have really enjoyed some of Jeremy’s pies (sent by a special friend of his). Water level is a little low, but we will be able to get the boats going.

Pray for a safe day full of God’s spirit bathing the camp.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Chris