Central Abbotsford

I had the privilege this week of setting up my office at Mill Lake Church instead of my usual midweek desk in the Downes Road building, for a very special reason – this week, we hosted the first session of Northview Kids Day Camp! This first week is unique among the weeks of day camp because we run it in partnership with MLC, and the kids in attendance are a mix of Northview attenders, Mill Lake attenders, and more from the community. Day Camps run for the next three weeks, with two at Downes Road and the final week at our Mission Campus.

Having been safely tucked away in the pastor’s office here for most of the week, I have been insulated from a lot (but not all) of the noise and excitement. I have a few thoughts and observations that I’d like to share with you (as I tend to do).

First, remember what God can do in and through the lives of children. Most of us are familiar with the story in Mark 10 of the disciples trying to prevent children from coming up to Jesus, and His indignant response of “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” We know that many of the children who will attend Day Camps will hear the gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time here, and many of their parents do not know the good news. This is a tremendous outreach! Pray that God uses it to draw people to Himself.

Second, Day Camps are a noisy place – and God loves it! Psalm 100:1-2 reads “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” There is abundant noise, and singing, and gladness at Day Camp – I have heard it (it shakes the floor of this old building sometimes)! I think one of the reasons God encourages us to have the faith of a child is because that faith is lived out loudly and joyously. Even if it distracts me a little bit from sermon preparation (or newsletter writing!), God delights in the clamour of praise to His name.

Finally, pray for our leaders and volunteers. We have an amazing team of staff and volunteers working hard and giving of their time and talents to build into the lives of these kids. I know that most of them (particularly the volunteers) could be doing a lot of other things on a warm, mostly sunny, summer week – yet they have chosen to love and minister to the children of Abbotsford, teaching them about Jesus and what He has done. Many of them are serving more than one week, and so please keep them in prayer for God’s grace, patience, and endurance as they serve throughout this month. And give thanks that God has provided such a dedicated, loving, caring crew to shepherd these kids through their time in Day Camp.

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