After 19 years in various positions of Youth Ministry, I am the Lead Pastor at my new church of now one year. There are a lot of things about Youth Ministry that I really miss. I miss hanging out with teenagers. Honestly, they are fun and funny. Generally. One of the things I don’t mis is the drama. Every Youth Group has its drama queen, and yes, typically it is a girl. That’s probably a good thing, as a male drama queen is an entirely different problem.
I always said that camp was my favorite thing to do in Youth Ministry. It’s usually a week of great worship, combined with teenagers making decisions for the Lord. I was always challenged, too.
This week, marking exactly one year with my new church, Skelly Drive Baptist Church in Tulsa, I am going to camp.
You see, our church goes to the legendary Falls Creek near Davis, Oklahoma. Falls Creek has a storied past of which I have heard for years, but had never seen for myself. I heard it said one time that during a point several decades ago, half of the “Foreign Missionaries” on the field had made their commitment to serve as missionaries at Falls Creek. I am sure it was not quite that high, but it is sure that many had made their commitment there. Dedication to service has been a hallmark of this camp for years. The above linked website quotes, “More missionaries have experienced their call to a lifetime of service at Falls Creek than at any other place on the face of the earth.”
On top of that, Falls Creek is the largest Youth Camp in the world. There will be about 6,000 campers there every week through the summer. The BGCO has just finished the indoor Tabernacle that has been in the works for the better part of a decade. This is its first summer of use. Prior to this, 6,000 kids had to meet in the outdoor tabernacle, which was a roof and one back wall and it was hot, to say the least. At least they got a/c before I got there.
And, yes, this is an enormous chapel that will actually be used to capacity on a regular basis, just for all those who were thinking it and wondering whether or not I would say it. Just for kicks, see if this looks familiar.
Anyway, I’m off to camp. I’ll let you know if it was everything its supporters claim it to be.
I have several things written and set to drop throughout the week. Tomorrow is a post I especially hope you read.
I hear that there is some Internet connectivity at Falls Creek, so I am not out of the discussion, but limited. I hope we all have a great week.
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Dorcas Hawker
on Jul 16th, 2007
@ 6:57 am:
I suppose if I went as a camp counselor now that I would be glad for the indoors and the air-conditioning, but in a way as a camper I am glad I was there for the years that it was an open wall facility. We went for the famed “Texas week” at Falls Creek each year. One of the most powerful worship services I remember is a week it was raining a whole lot. We would rush from the cabin to the tabernacle, or sometimes they would load us up in the van to drive the half mile or so because it was such a downpour. One particularly rainy evening the worship team had begun a chorus of “Awesome God.” At a key point in the song, the thunder rolled in symphonic agreement. “Our God is an awesome God …” Wow, I still get chills thinking about it. That was a moment that was enhanced by the open air setting of that camp meeting. I am glad for you though, that it is indoors now, a trade off hopefully in keeping the attention span of those teens who might otherwise be distracted because of the heat.
Kevin Bussey
on Jul 16th, 2007
@ 7:59 am:
Have fun Art.
I’ve never been there but heard it is a great camp.
Vicki
on Jul 16th, 2007
@ 8:21 am:
As your “official” prayer partner for Falls Creek, my prayer is that God will allow you to grow closer to the youth of our church and they will see your true heart. I’m sure they will also see that you’re just a big dorky kid like them.
I will pray for you and all of those that will be going from our church, especially Jason (our youth pastor).
Enjoy the experience.
bloginafogpastor
on Jul 16th, 2007
@ 4:45 pm:
We had a youth retreat there during the winter. It was great. I wonder if there is more to the attitude of expectation than we realize. Falls Creek has the kind of reputation where you just expect God is going to do something.
BTW, Out of a group of about 25 kids 4 answered a call to ministry. As far as I know at least 2 of them have fulfilled that calling.
May God Move,
Chuck
Liz
on Jul 16th, 2007
@ 5:41 pm:
I am 51 and went to Falls Creek as the child of a sponsor, before I was old enough. Went as a teen, went as a counselor, went as a pastor’s wife, went as a mother/counselor, and finally had enough.
I love Falls Creek and even though I have heard rumors about things happening among the teens, we never experienced anything like that in all of the churches I have gone with.
I love the nostalgia of remembering the way it was. We stayed in cabins that did not have A/C, then graduated to a water cooler in the common area(dining room), then blessed A/C everywhere – except the Tabernacle.
The kids were dying from heat exhaustion. We froze bottled water for them to roll on their faces and necks during the services. We have gotten used to A/C. I think it was time to upgrade.
I pray that you will have a wonderful week and that the youth of your church and the unchurched that attend will have a marvelous time and draw closer to God.
Dorcas Hawker
on Jul 16th, 2007
@ 5:54 pm:
Hmm, I guess Texas Week was always a good week for the weather. I don’t really ever remember the heat being an issue when I was there. But perhaps when one is a teenager and having the time of your life, one doesn’t notice such minor things as weather so much.
Liz
on Jul 16th, 2007
@ 6:47 pm:
Actually, Texas always has gotten the cooler weeks and the Indians got August. I’m sure they will appreciate the new tabernacle.
Joe
on Jul 16th, 2007
@ 9:37 pm:
Last week as youth minister, first summer as pastor both at youth camp. Pretty good way to end one chapter and begin a new one if you ask me.
I have heard great things about Falls Creek and will be interested in hearing your take on it.
Art Rogers
on Jul 17th, 2007
@ 12:33 am:
Hey, it’s midnight and we are hooked up with wireless, but you have to drive in to the main center and you have to buy a password – $10 for the week.
Pretty nice.
That’s going to give me the ability to post throughout the week. I’m gonna give you some pics and updates.
I love camp. I am so glad I don’t have to skip camp as a pastor.
This is the good stuff.