Winter Camp Testimony

 

Margie Nunez

 

   Recently Brian Dolan, Lisa Popadich, David Parker, and I journeyed to Sugar Pine Camp to be counselors and spend time with 33 of our children from FPC. We joined 242 other children and their counselors from various Central Valley churches. It was a beautiful time of learning, fun, and serious cabin talks. God is good!  He was at work among us and growing our children’s relationship with Him. Thank you to all who prayed before and during our weekend with these fabulous children I get to be in ministry with. Enjoy these testimonies from two of our superb volunteer counselors.

Lisa Popadich

    The Bible tells us in Luke 15 that “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” and I’m telling you there must have been a party this weekend! I was so excited when Margie asked me to be one of the counselors for winter camp this year and I knew it was where God wanted me. Leading up to the weekend, I prayed that God would touch each of the campers in a tangible way and that he would guide me as I ministered to them. Over the weekend, I saw the girls of my cabin seek God in worship, during cabin times, and even during free time. They listened to the speaker as she told them about God’s love for them and how He is always with us, no matter what. He is our Good, Good Father. On Saturday, an invitation was offered to any of the campers who had not yet given their lives to Christ, and one of my campers found me and asked to pray with me. Wow, what an honor! I knew that God was moving in her heart and I loved watching the other girls of our cabin stand beside her as she prayed with me. At the end of the weekend, when we asked the campers what their favorite part of camp was, her hand bolted up and she said, “When I gave my life to Jesus!” Wow! Praise the Lord for his work in her life! I pray that she continues to grow in her faith and that she truly is a “new creation” in Christ. 

   Winter Camp was an awesome time for our church kids! They were challenged by the story of Joseph and his journey through faith. The boys in my cabin made fresh commitments to follow the example Joseph set forth, to do what is right even when things aren’t going so well. We took a close look at Romans 8:15, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him 'Abba Father'.” This was a powerful message for our kids to realize that their “daddy” in heaven has a great plan for their lives. There were many kids who made first time decisions, but I felt that our church kids left with a deeper understanding of God’s daddy heart for his children.