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


