Summer 2024 was a season of incredible transformation at Word of Life Camps across the United States. Each camp saw God move powerfully in the lives of campers, counselors, and staff! Whether through gospel conversations, life-altering decisions, or the impact of simply being in a Christ-centered, loving environment, the testimonies from this summer remind us of the eternal work God is doing. A total of 14,751 campers and guests attended youth and family camps in the United States alone, with 1,430 making salvation decisions and 6,490 dedicating their lives to God.
The Pines: New York Family Camp
At The Pines, we witnessed the miraculous change in a young man’s life. Invited by his uncle, who sensed God calling him to step in during a time of need, this young man arrived at camp with a life in turmoil—broken relationships, addiction, and despair. But God had a plan. After hearing the speaker, he returned home transformed, declaring, “I am changed.” Today, he is attending church, working on his recovery, and seeking employment. His uncle shared, “I see God at work in his life, and I’m so thankful to you and Word of Life.”
The Island: New York Teen Camp
Two brothers came to The Island from a home that openly rejected God. On their first night, they made it clear they were atheists and uninterested in anything spiritual. But as the week progressed, the Word of God began to work in their hearts. On Thursday, the older brother pulled his counselor aside and said, “Hey, I need to make this decision.” Right there, behind Pine Pavilion, he gave his life to Christ. The next day, the younger brother followed suit, and both were baptized together, a testament to the transformative power of the gospel.
This summer, The Island also welcomed back two girls who accepted Christ last year. This time, they both dedicated their lives to Jesus at the dedication fire. One of the girls shared how, last year, she accepted Christ but didn’t live it out at school. This year, she’s committed to sharing her faith openly. Within a week of returning home, she posted that she had shared the gospel for the first time and loved it. She also developed a strong connection with her counselor, Elle, and is now considering attending the Bible Institute to become a counselor like her. Meanwhile, the other camper returned home to finalize her adoption by her foster parents, and during the court proceedings, her adoptive father shared how her decision to accept Christ last summer changed everything for their family. Both girls were recently baptized, and they plan to lead worship at their church in songs they learned at camp, showing the ongoing impact of their time at The Island.
The Ridge: New York Middle School Camp
One camper at The Ridge shared how camp became the turning point in their life. Struggling with trying to control everything on their own, this camper finally surrendered to God. “I chose to let Him be in control of my life because I realized He has a plan for me, and I should follow the plan He chose for me,” the camper testified. This decision marked a new beginning, where trust in God replaced the burden of self-reliance.
The Ranch: New York Elementary Camp
At The Ranch, a young camper learned a lesson that will shape their life forever. “I learned to preach to people about Jesus’s word because we are on the earth for a little time, and so are they. So you want to learn as much as you can to help others,” they shared. This realization not only impacted the camper’s understanding of the gospel but also ignited a passion for sharing it with others.
The Coast: Florida Youth Camp
The Coast was a place of profound encounters this summer. During Week 1, a camp crew member named Rose met a girl who wasn’t even a camper. Through a simple conversation, Rose walked her through the Romans Road, and this young girl accepted Christ as her Savior right there during registration. In Week 2, a camper named Victor arrived bitter and resistant. By Wednesday night, the campfire broke through his hard heart, leading him to tears and a desire for change. He joined Camp Crew for the rest of the summer, and continued to grow in his faith.
Week after week, God continued to move at The Coast. From a Dominos delivery driver accepting Christ during a pizza run to a young girl named River finally understanding her need for Jesus, the stories of life change are endless. Even in difficult weeks where hearts seemed hard, the gospel took root, and lives were forever changed.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on these incredible stories from Summer 2024, we’re reminded that the seeds planted at Word of Life Camps continue to grow long after the summer ends. Whether it’s a young person sharing their faith for the first time, a camper deciding to follow God’s plan for their life, or a counselor witnessing the power of the gospel, the impact of this summer will echo into eternity.
We thank God for the privilege of being part of these stories and for all who prayed, served, and supported Word of Life Camps this year. We look forward to the next season, knowing that the same God who worked powerfully this summer will continue to do so in the lives of those who encountered Him here.
Please Pray
- Pray that the seeds planted in the hearts of campers this summer will continue to grow.
- Pray for the counselors and staff who invested so much into the lives of the campers – that they would carry out the things they learned at camp for the rest of their lives.
- Pray for the planning and preparation for the next camp season. Ask God to guide the leadership team, provide the necessary resources, and bring the right people—both campers and staff—who need to experience His transformative power at Word of Life Camps.
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