Junior Camps 2013

It was another full summer. We saw good numbers of campers come out to camp from a variety of communities - some new to us at Arrowhead. One of the greatest challenges we often face at ANBC is the need for volunteers to come along side of us and serve during our summer camps. This year we often felt the "crunch" as we planed our weeks activities. It is always a blessing to see who the Lord directs to join us and just how He builds His team for ANBC. We no longer worry about what we will have for volunteer staff, as we know that He will be faithful to provide just the right team - even if wee feel it is too small or too large. This summer it was humbling to see God work in peoples lives and provide for the ministry here. Everyone worked hard, and although there were challenges, he provided us with the wisdom and patience to overcome every hurdle. The gospel was clearly taught each week and relationships were formed.

Something new that we tried this summer was a refocusing of our "chapel" times - which we call "Gathering". I feel that it is a vital part of our camp day, partnered with the "Cabin Talk" time - which is our cabin devotions component to camp. I've felt that both of these elements have been getting a bit lost in our daily routine so we renovated the schedule to make the emphasis be on these events. We completely overhauled the gathering time to be more of a VBS format - encompassing between 90 and 120 minutes twice a day. We were a bit unsure as to just how this would work, but we included a number of elements that kept it moving - it wasn't a stale 2 hours for 2 hours sake - it was a time filled with games, music, teaching, Bible memory, drama, puppets, narrative, prizes & illustration. Each Gathering had a theme and all of the elements pointed to that theme each time. There was a risk that we would lose the campers - but that was not something we encountered at all throughout the summer. The new program seemed to work quite well. Each Gathering time would introduce the campers to a scripture memory verse and a narrative - a story that pointed to the theme for that gathering. When gathering ended each time - the campers would go with their cabin leaders directly to their cabins and have cabin talk time. There, they would answer any questions that may have arisen, look again at the narrative from gathering and work on scripture memory. All of these elements reinforced the teaching and gave the cabin leaders the opportunity to have a good quiet time with the campers and talk about the things that were engaging them.

This summer we were without a lifeguard for our last two weeks of camp. I was afraid the campers would mount a coup when they learned that they wouldn't be able to swim. But they were remarkably content to play water games on dry land. We had lots of fun and tried to keep everyone wet and cool. Filling some of our critical roles can often be a challenge - in conjunction with striving to fill these positions - I will also be actively seeking 4 churches that will commit to sending a ministry team of 12 people for a week in 2014.

Here are a few shots from our junior camps 2013! Thanks so much for your prayers and support - it has been a wonderful summer.

Cape Breton Camp Out 2013

NCEM has some wonderful resources and some fantastic missionaries running programs across the country. It occurred to us that it might be a good idea to partner with some of these missionaries and make some of these programs available here in Atlantic Canada.

With that in mind we invited Marsden Giesbrecht and Tom Cnossen from Higher Challenge to come to Arrowhead this summer. Higher Challenge is a wilderness adventure camp in Western Canada that offers wilderness camps in the Rockies and northern Saskatchewan.

Tom & Marsden graciously agreed to come out to Atlantic Canada for two weeks of their busy summer. The first week we spent scouting out the Cape Breton Highlands. Because we had not run a camp o this nature before it was important for us to get the lay of the land.

Merrill at Cape Clear, Cape Breton Highlands, NS

Tom at Cape Clear, Cape Breton Highlands, NS

We enjoyed some chowder together at Meat Cove.

We camped on a bluff and were lulled to sleep by the droning of the fog horn.

It was a successful scouting trip and we developed a good idea about how best to approach the camp out. We returned to ANBC and began the packing and preparing. Tom & Marsden are experienced masters when it comes preparing for this sort of thing and we learned a great deal about food preparation and planning.

Marsden packing the food barrels!

Tom preparing the hamburger to freeze.

All loaded up and ready to go.

The following week we had 6 campers join us for our first Cape Breton Camp Out. It was a learning experience for all of us as we selected campsites and events for the week. It was a great week and became quickly clear that we can host some wonderful camp outs in the future in Cape Breton.

Teen Camp 2013

It was a remarkable week at ANBC this week! It was one of those week when God reveals Himself to us in such abundantly humbling and amazing ways. It is so clear after a week like this that the work is God's work and we are simply His servants, and as long as we remain submitted to His will we need not fear, worry or have concern.

A friend of mine sent me the following verse tonight, and I think there is a poignant truth that is very applicable to the ministry we are engaged in at summer camp.

"Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." ~ Zechariah 4:6

This week we had a relatively small complement of volunteers. It is not something that I allow myself to be overly stressed out about; our key positions are filled and we rely on the Lord to work in the lives of those He would have join us. And that is exactly what happened. A couple of days before the camp was to begin, I received an eMail from a young man from Ontario who has served with us in the past, and has already gone through our training program. He had thought his job would prevent him from serving at ANBC this summer, but it just so happened that there would be a down week during our teen camp. So, he wanted to know if we could use the help. I simply replied to him; "come"! Another gentleman that is planning to serve with us this week as our medic, felt compelled to join our ranks for the teen camp as well. And a friend of mine from Nova Scotia, felt led by the Holy Spirit to contact us and come to join us for a couple of weeks!

We were expecting about 12 teens for our teen camp. By Monday evening we had 33. What a blessing! The vast majority of the campers were girls, and we simply did not have enough female staff to serve as cabin leaders. I did a reshuffle of the job roster for the week and we had some very humble and servant hearted folks willing to be cabin leaders (including Liz, who did an amazing job of being a cabin leader and keeping the kitchen stocked and caring for Ivy). I called up a good friend who is the director of a Bible camp about an hour away, and he just so happened to have an extra cabin leader who was willing to come and serve with us. She had been through his training program and has had a heart to reach out to First Nations people.

It was absolutely amazing to see God put the week together. I have never seen the teens at our teen camp as attentive to the teaching; or as interactive with questions and comments in the cabins, as they were this week. There was a real sense of the work of the Holy Spirit as we laboured together for the sake of the Gospel.

We were without a camp speaker until the last minute, one had been scheduled, but due to some overbookings was unable to join us. Thankfully Todd Nielsen was prepared to serve for us in that capacity and brought the Gospel chronologically and clearly throughout the week!

Chicken Burger Day! Always a favourite.

Teens enjoying the new tuck shop!

On these HOT July days, the waterfront has been a HUGE favourite!

Our First Year of Day Camps!

This year we piloted a new program of day camps on reserve. I made arrangements ahead of time with the leadership of the various communities and we were granted permission to come to each community and operate a 3 hour day camp at each location. Our team remained at ANBC foloowing our training weekend and on Monday we met to plan, practice and prepare for the week. Each volunteer was given a task and had to prepare to do that task when we got to the community.

The afternoon program included, games & activities, puppets & music, drama, snacks,  bouncy castle and a Bible Lesson. Each group on our team did an excellent job of doing their part and connecting with the children and teens as well as parents. I really feel that it was a wonderful and beneficial week and that the Lord was honoured by the ministry that we all shared in together.

Our ministry team on our last day at Oromocto.

Music, drama and puppets in Eel Ground.

Todd Sharing a gospel illustration

Pastor Josh Cameron sharing a Gospel lesson.

Second Annual Charity Golf Classic

We held our second annual Golf Tournament this past Saturday. To spite some last minute cancellations, we had a good turn out and a great day of fun and fundraising. Thanks to all of our sponsors and the many golfers who came out to support Arrowhead we raised over $3,200 to help with our general expenses this summer as we operate our summer camp ministries!

We are privileged to be able to hold the tournament at the Petitcodiac Golf & Country Club. They are exceptionally hospitable of our little tournament, accommodate our every need and feast us with a wonderful steak dinner!It's a beautiful place to host a charity golf tournament.

The "Most Honest" team.

The new tournament champions.

The Moncton Lads.

The defending champs.

The Tatamagouche Team.

These Guys!

positions to fill!

Well, here we are. Volunteer weekend is just three weeks away and we continue to labour to connect with those who would serve the Lord in cross cultural ministry this summer. There are still several critical positions that we need to fill in order to safely and adequately operate our weeks of camp.

Lifeguard and Lifeguard assistant • We are still in need to confirm a head lifeguard for the first two weeks of August for 2 of our junior camps. I am also seeking to find an individual who is bronze medallion who could come and serve as assistant to the lifeguard for all 4 weeks of on-site camp.

Camp Medic • We are in need to confirm a camp medic for the last week of camp, August 12-16. Our camp medic needs to be someone who is "First Responder" trained or better... might be a great opportunity for a doctor to serve the Lord!

Cabin Leaders • We are still in need of mature believers who are willing to come and serve as cabin leaders. It is a misconception that this is a role for teenagers. Many of our Sr. Cabin leaders are in their 20's-40's. It is a great opportunity and you will be blessed by the opportunity.

Head Cook • For our last two weeks of camp we will be needing to have a head cook (or duo) who are willing to come and serve with us in the kitchen.

If the Lord is leading you to share this need or even to come yourself and serve, there are many ways in which you can serve, you may be surprised just what a blessing it can be to share with us at ANBC. Get in touch with us to find out how you can best serve.

Below is a list of weeks in which we have staffing needs.

• June 28-30 • Summer Volunteer Training
• July 8-12 • Teen Camp
• July 15-19 • Junior Camp Week 1
• Aug. 5-9 • Junior Camp Week 2
• Aug. 12-16 • Junior Camp Week 3

accept or acceptable?

What is my "crazy", "intolerant", "fundamental Christian" friend posting now you ask yourself. Well... this is what it's all about, and likely why you find my constant "Faith oriented" posts annoying. You cannot be a marginal Christian or a moderate Christian, you're either in or your out... read on (it's long... but it could help answer some questions for you).

...

I'd like to tell you that I'm a follower of Christ; I am, I'm a follower of Christ. But that's not enough, it's not enough to simply say that I am a follower of Christ.

I acknowledge His teaching, the Bible, as Good and True; and it is, the teachings of GOD are Good and True, but it's not enough that I acknowledge this fact.

I acknowledge that Jesus is GOD! And HE IS, Jesus IS GOD. But even the Demons acknowledge that.

I prayed a prayer, and I meant it. I meant every word; I want Jesus to save me from Hell. And HE WILL, He can and will save us from Hell. But it is not enough to simply utter a prayer, no matter how sincere we may feel.

What then is it that makes me a Christian? What is it that separates me from the demons? What separates me from the World and sets me apart as belonging to Christ? What makes me a Child of Almighty God?

You see. God is Holy, Holy means perfect, without blemish, unspoiled, the definition of GOOD, the benchmark of RIGHTEOUSNESS, the measure against which all things are held. GOD is that, and He shows us Himself in His WORD. HE is so HOLY, that HE, and only HE could have created the Universe, from nothing, into everything, in seven days. HE created us, HE created us to HONOR HIM; and we REBELLED against HIM, we disobeyed HIM. WE defined SIN, for you see, everything that is NOT of HOLINESS, is SIN, and we are it; WE ARE SIN. We made ourselves SIN in our disobedience; in that sin we are separated from GOD. LOST, condemned to our sin in judgement and wrath to suffer in this LIFE of DEATH and saturated in EVIL and an eternity of utter torment in HELL with those Demons who also acknowledge that Jesus is God.

You SEE, the consequence of SIN is DEATH. Bad things never happen to good people, because GOD is the benchmark of GOOD and we are the opposite of that because we are IN SIN - there are no "good people". We live out the consequence of sin in our separation from GOD, in our struggle for SELF, our love for numero uno! No imperfect thing can have relationship with a PERFECT GOD. This is our judgement, this is our curse.

BUT GOD, in HIS perfect, unblemished, completely RIGHTEOUS Holiness came to EARTH; HE came to Earth, suffered, bled and DIED as an ATONEMENT for us, in our SIN. In His perfection and perfect SINLESS sacrifice we may be made RIGHTEOUS before God. God will see us through the perfect sacrifice of CHRIST.

God is Sovereign, He is LORD. For us to be counted as His children it is not enough that we approach HIM and say, "Hey God... I accept you as Savior." Christ did not die on the cross and rise from the dead so that we would accept HIM, The redemptive work of CHRIST on the Cross was so that we might be made ACCEPTABLE to GOD!

WE are made right before GOD by humbly submitting ourselves to HIM, by making our lives a LIVING SACRIFICE for HIM. We are made right before GOD in repentance for our sin, by turning from EVERYTHING that is not of GOD and by turning to EVERYTHING that is of God; and by doing this not out of obligation but out of a deep desire to HONOR GOD. We are made right before GOD in the perfect sinless sacrifice of Christ on the cross and HIS conquering of DEATH and the grave by rising again. We are SAVED from our sin, from self, by abandoning ourselves to HIM in REPENTANCE and FAITH, that GOD might see us through the ATONING BLOOD of Jesus Christ. This is not salvation by WORKS, this is Salvation by REPENTANCE and FAITH. This is salvation by allowing the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD to completely reform our HEARTS and MINDS. This is salvation by throwing ourselves at the MERCY of a GOOD and HOLY GOD.

This SALVATION does not make us perfect, it makes us forgiven! It replaces our heart of stone with a heart of flesh and gives us the capacity to set our affections on things that HONOR GOD.

I CANNOT be a Child of GOD and live in a perpetual unrepentant state of SIN, it is contrary to that RELATIONSHIP in the most basic fundamental way.

Examine your HEART and know if you are HIS.

REPENT, turn from your sin and enter into a RELATIONSHIP of Repentance and Faith with a Holy God. The World will hate you for it, but it's supposed to, it HATES GOD too.