And so it happens. Summer camp is a matter of hours away. Summer camp has historically been a huge part of a student ministry’s year. We’ve literally been planning for this event since the end of last year’s camp. It’s kind of like Christmas. You spend so much time building up to it that when it shows up, it’s surreal that you’re about to finally experience it!
So, what do we youth pastors do to prepare? Most of us, sadly, are so bogged down with details that we forget to mentally prepare for what’s about to happen. I regret to say that I’ve learned this the hard way. By that, I mean that my lack of mental awareness has distracted me from the entire purpose of the camp. The week quickly morphs into a system of decisions, details, and rules.
This year, it’s been my goal to be prepared beforehand, so I can be mentally prepared for what God is about to do in our lives. In fact, I’m more prepared than I’ve ever been…ever. It’s a weird feeling. I feel like I forgot to do something big, like pay the registration fees or set up transportation (we’ve all been there, haven’t we?). But alas, we are ready.
So here’s what I plan to do in the 24 hours leading up to our departure.
ps. This is transferable to parents, students, or volunteers, too!
1. Pray.
It should go without saying, but that’s usually one of the first things to go out the window for me, sadly. The late Dr. Jerry Falwell once said, “Nothing of eternal significance is ever accomplished apart from prayer.” So, I’m setting aside a lot of time to pray today. If I REALLY desire a movement of God in our teenagers, I believe it’s worth BEGGING GOD for His favor. I’m praying specifically that God would open the heart of our teenagers to receive HIS calling for them, and that they would respond in humble worship and receptivity to Him!
2. Re-establish My Purpose For This Camp.
I tend to get wrapped up in the details and systems of our youth services/events. Because of this, I tend to overlook the very students I’m there to serve. Not this time. It’s time for me to spend time with them. My purpose is to lead, guide, and serve our students during this time. I plan to get very real with a bunch of our students, to help them open up to God and what HE wants for THEM.
3. Challenge Our Core Students To Serve Others.
It’s inevitable that you have a wide variety of students going on your trips. Some students need to connect with Jesus for the very first time, while others honing in on their call to ministry. One of the jobs of every youth pastor is to shepherd each student through their individual journey. One of the joys I’ve experienced in student ministry is seeing the core students reaching out to the outsiders, to invite them into what they’ve already experienced. This is one of the main purposes of our student ministry: to catalyze students to reach out to their friends and to have what we call an “others-first” mindset. I’m really excited to see how this plays out.
4. Pay Attention To Spiritual Waves.
While it’s true that every student is on a specific journey, there are usually similar elements happening in our group as we do these types of events. In most cases, it’s because the speaker hits on a specific issue. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit has something to say and He’ll say the same thing to everyone in different ways. I think this is the time to PAY ATTENTION! When God does a similar work in or sends a specific message to different people in our group, we know that God’s up to something. Those elements are KEY to bring home. I believe, in a lot of cases, God is setting the direction for our student ministry in what He’s doing in our students’ lives.
Mainly, I need to align my agenda for our students with God’s agenda. That’s going to take some intense focus on my part, which requires 100% mental awareness.
May we be open to what You have for us, Father.