OCC and Beyond!

This past week we finished up our Foundations of Church Ministry class with David Ernst. For my course research paper I wrote on women in church leadership and what the Bible may be saying regarding women being pastors, elders, or deacons. When reflecting on my “home” church this year I was encouraged by the numerous women that assist in significant ways within the programs and activities at Oceanview Community Church. Although the majority of them have bypassed a church “title” they use their talents, gifts, resources and time to build up the congregation and complement other member’s abilities.

The realization that God equips all believers to impact his kingdom in many different forms reminds me of my personal responsibility in the local church wherever I may be. 

For example, Ladysmith is having their Ladysmith Light Up, a Christmas festival of lights tonight. The Oceanview Kaleo students are helping in the parade to hand out 10 000 Joy to the World music sheets with the youth.  

I have the opportunity and privileged to contribute in small and large ways where I am needed and gifted at OCC and beyond. 

Retreats: Teamwork is a Powerful Thing

   

Here at Camp Qwanoes retreats are run during the fall for kids and youth to get another chance to experience God at camp after the summer season is done.

A few weeks ago I helped in the kitchen one Saturday morning during the Juniors Retreat. My hours in the kitchen revealed God’s awesome grace to me once again when my alarm clock malfunctioned, pushing me behind schedule. Not only was I reminded of how important it is to be reliable, but I also learned the significance of working as a team even when it may be behind the scenes cutting lettuce and grapes and panning chicken.

Last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I worked the full Jr. High Retreat weekend. Although my role may sounds unusual, I had the time of my life. I was the red team’s mascot: Go Blaze Blasters! I was on the “All Star” team running games and initiating team spirit. 

If God showed me one thing important it was that some camp positions might not seem as impactful when it comes to camper’s spiritual life. However, those jobs enable other staff to impact campers. Maybe being wacky “Madame Strawberry” didn’t allow for many opportunities to talk about “important things”, but my role let kids relax and have fun, facilitating other staff to share with campers in their cabins.

During camp retreats I see God working in so many cool—usually small—ways. Retreats have encouraged servant hood growth in our student body whether that is corporately or as individuals. Working alongside one another in the “dish pit”, Challenge Course, or maintenance has given us so many opportunities to get to know each other. Other roles like counseling aid us personally in using the tools we have learned from classes, sessions, and community life.

Throughout the retreats God has also been developing relationships between the full-time staff and Kaleo students, like me. To give a few examples I worked with Fiona at the Waterfront, Henrique at the Challenge Course, Ruth in the kitchen for a partial weekend and during the Jr. High Retreat I operated closely with Stevie G. and the rest of the All Star team. I wouldn’t necessarily have had the chance to see how they lead their sections of camp unless I was right there beside them. This is one reason why I have enjoyed the chance to be involved in various aspects of camping ministry. 

Oceanview!

Over the past few weeks I've had some pretty neat times at Oceanview Community Church. Different things that I have been learning in the Kaléo program have influenced my view of ministry and my perspective as I get involved. 


From "Camp and Youth Ministry" with Sid Koop we learned about the honour and responsibility it is for leaders who instruct and work with children. God holds us to a new standard and that needs to be taken seriously. This reminder has encouraged me to lift up the children and youth I see every week in prayer.  

On another note, Makayla found out that October is Pastors' month so we thought it would be sweet idea to get Pastor Darrin a fun gift. I work with his wife, Lori, in Children's Ministry so I got the scoop on what he likes to snack on. After trying to break into his office at youth two weeks ago (fyi: if a bobby pin fails, boldly ask the elder who's in the office next door for a key), we cleared a spot on his table and made a pyramid out of three cases of Dr. Pepper. (Why get only one, when they are on sale, right?) He loves dark chocolate so we decorated the pyramid with chocolate bars and placed a handmade card on top with an inspiration poem I wrote:

"Roses are Red
 Violets are Blue
 Because you're our Pastor
 We're not a Disaster. . .
 or something like that!
 Happy Pastor's Month!"

(Okay. I understand that I could have come up with a better rhyming scheme. It's the thought that counts?!) We had leftover cans so we hide them around his office room. Who doesn't want to find a warm Dr. Pepper in the paper shredder or behind your family picture frame in 2 months?  

I'm realizing the dedication and sacrifice of leaders in the Christian church. A little encouragement can go a long way. Encouragement and apprecaition is something I can pass on. Giving is always better than getting. 


If you were looking for me last Thursday evening I was at the "Ladies Fall Tea" with Stacey and Makayla at church. We had the wonderful privilege to lead the group in a few worship songs. Earlier that morning while we were preparing, it was very clear to us that Stacey was still getting over her cold and I had just caught one. I was reminded from reading about Jesus being tempted by Satan in the dessert in one of our "Spiritual Formation"class books (Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero) that--although we could have sounded a lot better--our identity wasn't in our performance or what others thought, but rather God’s incredible love for us. "Thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul."

 

Purposes

This week we are about to wrap up the first section of our Camp and Youth Ministry class with Sid Koop. We have been learning a tremendous amount in a miniscule amount of time; it has been full and fabulous! With that being said, we've been exploring the ways that Jesus has commanded the body of Christ to live by looking at Matthew 22: 36 - 39 (The Greatest Commandment) and Matthew 28: 18 - 20 (The Great Commission). 

These passages give us five primary points:

Worship

Service

Evangelism

Fellowship

Discipleship

Church and Camping ministries are exceedingly important because they are awesome settings where our “purposes” can flourish in action.

Although it is vital for every demographic to be included, camp and children/youth ministries have an overwhelming opportunity and challenge to take hold of these special age groups who are at a critical yet receptive stage in life.

Growing up as a “churched” and “camped” young person, I have seen how God has used both of these backdrops to develop me as a follower of and leader for Jesus Christ.

Church - more specifically, Sunday School - added to my biblical foundation as a child and church has given me a larger family (and a closer Bible Study cell) with whom I can experience fellowship and discipleship.  In the same way, camp began as a place to learn and meet other peer Christians, but also became a setting for me to serve and worship God.

It is my craving that I will be able to demonstrate and facilitate these purposes in the midst of my camp and church settings here on Vancouver Island. 

An Online Ministry Journal. 

What does that mean?

Good question. 

Let me begin...at the beginning. 

   I am currently living on the moist and rocky timberland of Vancouver Island. Here – at Camp Qwanoes – there are five major elements to the Kaleo Discipleship Program: Academics, Adventures, Community, Leadership Development, and Missions. Although it is my ongoing goal to encompass a lifestyle of ministry, this journal will focus primarily on the last two points. As a ‘student leader’ I will apply the things I have been learning from classes, creation, and community as I serve in my “mission field”.  For me, an online ministry journal is a place where I hope to share with you the ways I have been serving, how I am learning, and the ways in which Christ is using me.

-- During the year I will be helping around Camp Qwanoes with a multiple of their off-season weekend events; during a weekend I may find myself in the kitchen at the crack of dawn, the “dish-pit” after a meal, the Challenge Course with guests, the bathroom with disinfectant and a scrubber, a cabin with retreaters, or any combination of the above.
-- Along with four other Kaleo students, I am participating at Oceanview Community Church in Ladysmith. On Sunday, I will be helping with Sunday School. This past Sunday, I met ten beautiful elementary school children. They almost wouldn’t let me leave the building and I wasn't sure I wanted to either.
-- On Wednesdays I will be joining a small group of leaders and girls from church. The hope of Beautiful Girls is to create a place for girls grades 7-9 to come and learn, build relationships, and have fun together.  
-- In late winter a missions trip is scheduled for either inner city Vancouver or Mexico.

Our theme for this year at Kaleo is "Step Out" from Isaiah 43:1-3a.

 ¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
   he who created you, Jacob,
   he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the LORD your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour

I'm confident that being a living sacrifice - a minister - won't be an easy breeze, but I am thankful for the Spirit of the Lord that will step out with me. With expectancy, I am getting excited for the ways I will be able to live out Christ with my hands, my feet, and my mouth. 

In stepping out, I will step into the lives of others.