I grew up in a Christian family and committed my life to Jesus at a young age. The Salvation Army’s Jackson’s Point Camp was a big part of our lives—my parents were volunteers and I went to sports and music camps for many years. It was a place where I could be myself, a place that helped me grow in faith.
When I got older, I wanted to help others in the same way. I completed Timothy 1 and 2, a discipleship training and leadership development program. I gained hands-on experience working in different positions at camp, as a maintenance worker, lifeguard and cabin leader.
As a cabin leader at Camp Blaze, we spent the week taking the kids swimming, playing “wide games” with the whole camp, and supervising activities, such as canoeing and archery. Every night at campfire, we had music, skits and Bible stories. At campfire on Thursdays, we shared the gospel, and offered an invitation to accept Christ.
I didn’t think he was listening, but when I asked if he wanted to pray and invite Jesus into his life, he said, “Yes!”One of my favourite memories as cabin leader happened on one of these nights. One kid in particular was very hard to work with and never wanted to participate in any activities. On Thursday night that week, he continued misbehaving, causing a distraction to the other campers.
I remember pulling him aside from his cabin group to talk to him. We stayed by the campfire after everyone else had left. As we threw pebbles into the fire together, I told him about Jesus—who he was, how much he loved us and his sacrifice on the cross for our sins. I didn’t think he was listening, but when I asked if he wanted to pray and invite Jesus into his life, he said, “Yes!”
I will never forget that moment of leading a child to the Lord. I was filled with unexplainable joy. I told every leader I saw and even called my parents to tell them about it. Making an impact on children and spreading God’s love was easily the best part of being a camp leader and the highlight of my entire summer.
Camp has played a significant role in my life and shaped the person I am today. After graduating from high school, my desire to continue sharing the love of God with people led me to join Youth With A Mission (YWAM), a mission-sending organization that believes in equipping youth to make Jesus known in the nations.
I spent the first three months in discipleship training in Hawaii, growing in my relationship with Jesus and learning about my identity in him. We covered so many things, such as biblical fundamentals, evangelism and spiritual disciplines. One night, during a time of worship, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in the room so clearly. I dropped to my knees and started to pray, overwhelmed by God’s love and goodness.
We spent the next three months in Southeast Asia, preaching the gospel to people who had never heard of Jesus. God doesn’t forget any of his children.
This fall, I will be attending York University to study sociology. God is good. His love for us is immeasurable and unconditional—something we should all rejoice in.
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