Current Letter


Where Kids Meet Jesus

We are about ready to dive into summer.
In fact, the past few days here in NE Ohio have been a remarkable teaser - with warm temps, sunny days and vivid foliage.
Contrary to the occasional outbursts of several close friends (who have actually been known to refer to NE Ohio as that "God-forsaken frozen tundra"),  this part of the world can actually look rather like a lush garden during the reawakening days of springtime.

But there's another development that's even more exciting.

All across the EFC-ER, we are about ready to plunge into our summer
season of Christian camping for kids.
- in Virginia, our churches operate a lively summer program of camping
at Wakefield.
- in North Carolina (and western Virginia), our churches sponsor kids to go
to camp out of the proceeds from our former Camp Hawthornburg
- and in Ohio, Michigan and Pa, we are expecting upwards of 500 kids
to enjoy Camp Gideon

Here's why it is such a big deal:

1/  Kids are daily bombarded with amoral, secular and sometimes demonic messages that are endemic to our "post-modern" culture
2/  Kids make major life decisions early and, if they open their hearts early to the love and salvation of Jesus, they have a much better chance of knowing Him and living for Christ in their adult years
3/  Most Christian leaders look back on Christian camping experiences  during their youth as a "major contributor to their personal faith in Jesus"
4/  We can invest in many programs for our kids, but only a vital, personal walk with Jesus Christ will sustain them with purpose and meaning now and throughout eternity
5/  Thank God for all of His amazing grace in our past, but today is the only chance we have to connect spiritually with this new generation.  We only have a few years to influence them for Jesus.  We dare not miss this priceless opportunity!

    >  Right now is a great time to pray for our summer camping ministries (including our new and expanded youth camp that will be held during Yearly Meeting, July, 09)
>  Right now is a key time to make a special gift to our camps.
>  Right now is the right time to invite kids to our camps and to help them with a loving, generous scholarship.

In this world, in this economy, there is no better investment than to invest in the lives - the very souls - of our younger generation.
The Lord promises a rich return on investment that will last for eternity.
"Direct your children onto the right path
and when they are older, they will not leave it."
 (Prov. 22:6, NLT)

(If you would like to make a gift to one of our EFC-ER Summer Camping Ministries, now is the perfect time.  Simply write your check to EFC-ER, designate either "Gideon" or "Wakefield" or "Piedmont" and send it to EFC-ER, 5350 Broadmoor Circle, Canton, OH 44709.)

 

Blessings!

JPW

Dr. John P. Williams, Jr.

General Superintendent,

EFC-ER