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The Rocky Mountain American Baptist July 22, 2005
For more than a century, that story has been told around campfire circles at Christian camps across our country. Hearing that story, people have caught a glimpse of God’s plan for their lives. Responding to the story, Christians have been born. Believing the story, men and women, boys and girls have joined the ranks of disciples who go "into all the world" with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And for some of them, the "going" means coming back to camp as a camp counselor. The campfire tradition continues and God’s kingdom continues to grow. Praise God! Ingrid Dvirnak
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The daily schedule was a vigorous one. "Keep ‘em busy, keep ‘em moving, and eventually they’ll be asking ‘Can we go to bed now?’" You can see the underlying motive of the leaders, can’t you? The curriculum provided a lot of coordinated "party theme" teaching ideas for everyone, even the camp pastor, Brian High (FBC/Cheyenne). During the Monday morning chapel time, he talked with the kids about what makes a party a good party (the food). Making the switch to "spiritual food," Brian urged the campers to begin a daily regimen of Bible reading and prayer. Other spiritual lessons during the week were drawn from the stories of the Prodigal Son, the birth of Jesus, the celebration of communion, Christ’s resurrection. Campers participated in many activities including crazy games, orienteering, trail blazing, and service projects on the WYOBA grounds. Crafts, of course, were available to those who chose to participate. Other choices included team sports and preparing and presenting a musical (yes, all in one week!). Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it? So much fun that you want to join the party? There’s room on the team for you. Contact the leadership at the camp near you and volunteer for the 2006 season. |
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 "We’re having way too much fun to quit," Sylvia Hansen and Deanna Dyer say. They’ve been directing Junior High Camp at Camp WYOBA together for 20 years. We wanted to find out what drives these two energetic women, so we asked them.
RMAB: So you’ve been directing Junior High Camp together for 20 years. Why have you chosen this particular age group? RMAB: What keeps you coming back? Sylvia and Deanna: We’ve already talked about our leadership team. They’re a big reason we come back, but so are the kids that God brings us. When we see the campers on the athletic field in the morning with their Bibles and their "Morning Watch" booklets. . .when we see the kids around the campfire with their faces reflecting the light from the fire and the light of God’s love . .when we see them growing in their faith, we don’t want to leave this ministry. RMAB: What do you hope will be better next year? Sylvia and Deanna: We hope we’ll have more kids! RMAB: Was there ever a year when you said, "This is it. I’m done." Sylvia and Deanna: (truly speaking in unison) No! (They even admit to beginning planning next year’s activities toward the end of the current week.) RMAB: What constants are you counting on? Sylvia and Deanna: Of course, we’re counting on the presence of God through the Holy Spirit. We sing "Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place" several times during our week together. And that highlights two important elements: God’s presence and "this place." It is a very special place that people don’t understand until they come here. But on the more tangible side, we keep coming back to the staff team as a dependable constant. They come because they want to share God’s love, and that’s why we’re here too. We’re here away from the busyness of life, away from television, trying to be more in tune with God. We look forward to this week as a time of spiritual renewal for us as well. Granted, it takes a lot of energy, but we find our batteries are recharged by the kids, our leadership team, and the Holy Spirit. RMAB: What keeps you fresh when you have given of yourselves for so many years? Sylvia and Deanna: While we have found things that work well and tend to repeat them, the curriculum we use adds a new twist every year. We never use an old plan "as is" from another year. We also ways start over from scratch with our planning, because it’s a new year with new kids along with old ones who bring their friends. RMAB: What else would you like RMAB readers to know about your ministry? Sylvia and Deanna: It’s all about God and who God is in the daily lives of these kids. Everything we do focuses on God. The story (whatever it is) is presented in the morning chapel time and reaffirmed in small group discussion. It’s revisited in cabin groups, activities, and around the campfire. Kids hear from various staffers during the week and see that what the camp pastor says in chapel works in real life. It’s all about God. RMAB: Do you have a background in Christian camping? Sylvia: Yes, right here at WYOBA. And I’m grateful that of all the things God may have wanted me to do, God called me to a ministry with junior highs. Deanna: I have a preacher’s kid background. I attended camp in several locations, and came to WYOBA as an adult when I was invited to lead music at an ABW Ministries conference. RMAB: It’s obvious that you truly are having way too much fun here. Can we assume that you’ll be back next year? Sylvia and Deanna: When the camp dates are published, they’re the first dates we put on our calendars. We usually begin officially meeting together in March. Our husbands and friends join in on the fun too. This is a priority! |
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It’s always wonderful to be at WYOBA, and to be able to share the love of God in this beautiful creation. Junior High camp has a special place in our hearts. All the counselors have been either campers through the years or have worked at other camps. We all love these kids and pray that each one comes to know Jesus as their Lord. The Spirit at WYOBA this week is incredible. We are blessed to have this camp in such a central location that the young people of ABCRM can experience camping to the max. Each day is full of activities with different emphases, but the real focus is our walk with the Lord. Our day begins and ends with God. WYOBA is a legacy to all ages of ABCRM campers and will be in our hearts forever. Next year will be our 75th anniversary. Look for party information! Staffers at Junior High Camp
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During the week of July 10-16, junior campers at WYOBA interviewed their peers and printed the responses in their newspaper. They have given us permission to publish excerpts for the wider ABCRM family.
What made you want to come to camp? To get closer to God.
What do you want to learn at camp this year? I want to learn more about God.
What are you looking forward to at camp? Meeting new friends and learning new things. |
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Do you know who your SIMs are? Your Special Interest Missionaries? The American Baptist Special Interest Missionary (SIM) Program was started in 1952 with the support of American Baptist Women. This program
Traditionally, the SIM program was administered through American Baptist Women’s Ministries. However, not every church has an active AB Women’s Ministries group. To reach every American Baptist church, National Ministries has expanded the SIM program in recent years so that all American Baptist churches will receive information. This was done at the request of pastors who want their congregations to learn more about American Baptist mission and to build stronger partnerships with our missionaries. Rev. Lauran Bethell (Global) Rev. David Reed and Rev. Joyce Anderson-Reed (Mexico) Rev. Daniel and Mrs. Estella Schweissing (Bahamas) Dr. Paul K. Chapman (Ecumenical Ministries in US) Rev. Vincent Harris (Race Track Chaplain) Mr. Trevor Jones (Alaska Ministries) Names assigned to Wyoming: Rev. Debra and Rev. Dr. Flint Miller (Philippines) Rev. David Reed and Rev. Joyce Anderson-Reed (Mexico) Mr. Alvin Lewis (Neighborhood Action/Christian Center) Dr. Lawrence Lindley (Neighborhood Action/Christian Center) Mr. David Sheldon (Neighborhood Action/Christian Center) How to Support Your SIMs. . . Keep up to date. You can find biographical information and journals or newsletters from your SIMs on the Web: www.nationalministries.org and www.internationalministries.org. Read. Learn about the challenges, successes, failures, and concerns faced by your missionaries. Write. Every missionary loves to get mail, especially missionary kids! Send an e-mail. Mail a birthday or holiday card. Involve a Sunday School class, youth group, or Bible study group in writing a letter, where everyone can include a word of greeting and support. Please understand that missionaries always welcome correspondence, but are not always able to send a personal response. Pray. Prayer is the most important way you can support your Special Interest Missionaries. Consider adding them to your church’s prayer chain. Journals and newsletter tell you about issues they are facing, struggles in their ministries, and situations unique to where they live that impact their work. Global prayer needs are posted weekly on the IM website. Projects. Your SIM may have a mission service project that could use your help or support. For a current list of ideas, request a copy of the American Baptist Mission Service Projects book by calling 1-800-4-JUDSON. This resource is free. Sign up. Both NM and IM have a variety of resources that relate to the ministries of your Special Interest Missionaries. Order God’s Kids from IM so Sunday school classes can learn about missionary kids. The monthly IM Update is available in print or via e-mail. Sign up for NM’s “Mission in America” mailing with the latest information about American Baptist mission in the US and Puerto Rico. Promote. Keep your SIMS visible. Make a display or bulletin board with a map of where they work. Add photos, letters or journals, news articles about that area, post prayer needs or cards you want folks to sign. Use your website. Post recent information, photos and prayer reminds on your church’s website. Add hyperlinks directly to IM missionary profiles and journals. You can also add hyperlinks to NM’s web page for home mission news and missionary information. Gifts. Everyone likes a birthday gift. Ask your SIMs what they would appreciate receiving. (For those living overseas, check first to see what is allowed through customs and if missionaries have to pay to receive packages.) Support. Include ongoing financial support for your Special Interest Missionaries in your church’s annual budget. This should be noted on the Monthly Report of Mission Support that is sent to your Region office. Please call 800-ABC-3USA, ext. 2140, to learn how to provide the ongoing support necessary for each IM missionary. Personal gifts of money.
Visit. Why not plan to visit your SIM? What a great way to get young and old alike interested in mission work. If you alternate between national and international visits, your church can learn about the vast scope of American Baptist mission. Invite. Ask the missionary to visit your church. Contact the Region office to request a missionary visit. |
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Have you been praying for the leadership at the camps in our Region? Prayer is either a ritualistic formula with no real significance, or it is the mechanism of change that brings God’s movement into our lives and our world. Help create a movement. Pray! Join the American Baptist PrayerNet. By joining PrayerNet, you covenant to pray with and for our American Baptist mission and Dr. Medley, our General Secretary and denominational pastor. The PrayerNet page will have prayer requests and scripture that will be updated once a week. If you wish to subscribe to PrayerNet, a “reminder” email will be sent to you each week when this page is updated. Each request will ask you to follow a “PATH”:
These requests will focus on the mission and ministry to which God has called us as American Baptists. You will also have the opportunity to submit any prayer requests that you may have, and once a week, Dr. Medley and other staff will gather in the Mission Center chapel to pray for you and your requests. Even when Dr. Medley is traveling, staff members will pray. We are a people of “prayer, purpose and passion.” We acknowledge the need to pray. You may join this prayer network by going to www.abc-usa.org, On the home page, click on PrayerNet. You’ll find all the details you need to subscribe. And send us your prayer requests. We continue to publish this e-newsletter every two weeks, and we are happy to print the prayer concerns, celebrations, and opportunities you send us. E-mail them to idvirnak@abcrm.org.
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The campfires blaze in the night. The moon (as I write this) is high and full. The chirp of the cricket can be heard above the snap and crackle of the fire. They huddle together, enjoying the warmth of the fire and each other’s company. Once again, this summer, the story of God’s love is told in a myriad of ways. 
As soon as you entered the dining hall, you knew there was a party going on. Crepe paper streamers, balloons, and the general appearance of fun was everywhere. The chapel was no different. "Join the Party!" encouraged co-directors (camp moms) Deanna Dyer (FBC/Douglas, WY) and Sylvia Hansen (FBC/Laramie, WY). Junior highers responded in good numbers and so did additional staffers. All together, there were 50 people "partying" last week for Junior High Camp at Camp WYOBA. 
Camper #1: 
Camper #2:
Camper #3: 