I'm going to write some posts about the I.A. Camp. I.A. Camp is a camp that I've been involved with for the last 4 years. It's unlike other camps. The campers are sponsored by my friend's ministry. My friend, Billy Wayne, has been in evangelism for over 20 years. He shares the gospel through Music and the Arts (which is awesome because as Christians we have abandoned the Arts in many ways and have lost a wonderful avenue for the Gospel to be expressed). His ministry is Vision Productions. I have to admit that he is unlike anyone in evanglism that I've ever met. He is nothing like the stereotypical evangelist that comes to mind (you know that suit and KJV type that screams at you until you relent). His heart for seeing lives impacted by the Gospel and especially for youth is what truly blows me away.
Vision is based out of Fall Branch, TN which is just outside of Kingsport. It is here where the offices and the Theatre are located. The theatre is Lamplight Theatre where there are performances throughout the year and where the Gospel is presented at each performance. The theatre has been in existence for 5 years and in that time there have been 5000 people who have come to know Christ as Savior through performances and events held there (this number represents those impacted by the Gospel solely at the theatre not through other endeavors wher Billy shares the Gospel). Along with the theatre Billy tours regularly performing in various venues and churches along with leading camps and other events where he can share the Gospel. He also serves as the tour Pastor for Decemberadio.
Billy has this amazing way of connecting with what he calls the "shag nasties" or those others don't reach. He takes people into his home and into his ministry and they are transformed by the love of God. This camp is like that. Most of the kids that go would not be able to go if it were not for that fact that Vision through donations pays their way to go. Along with paying their way to go there is also a clothes closet set up so that they can have clothes and shoes along with providing a backpack of school supplies. Many of the campers come from abusive backgrounds, are in trouble in some fashion, and are "unchurched". They are the type that more than likely "slip through the carcks" or, let's be honest, they don't fit the mold of what most churches will attempt to reach. It's amazing to see what happens each year as lives are transformed by the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This year there were 70 campers and 40 couselors. This was a change from years past in two ways: the first being that this was the most campers in years and the second being that our ratio of counselor to campers was the lowest in years (the ratio is usually as close to 1:1 as possible since the kids really need loved well with the love of God so this made things much more hectic than usual). My job changed drastically than in years past. For the previous 3 years I had been a counselor and this year I was the Camp Dean. The Dean handles issues that arise with both counselors and campers, you are part shepherd and part disciplinarian along with keeping things on schedule (which is a scary thing for me especially since I'm not always that best at sticking to a schedule and like to adjust on the fly as the Spirit moves - that is why Mary McClure was co-Dean, she is an awesome woman of God! She is also wonderfully creative with a great servant heart!).
This post is focused mainly on Vision and Billy so that a groundwork can be laid for further posts about the camp. It may sound like an advertisement and in a way it is because if it leads you to donate to the camp or sponsor a camper then that is great. I must say that I'm totally passionate about this camp and it has impacted me.
No comments:
Post a Comment