678live’s Blog

I grew up going to camp every summer at Alpine Conference Center in Lake Arrowhead, CA.   I grew up in the Covenant Denomination and this camp is where I spent many winter and summer camps. If you have ever ventured into my office you will see years of my camp pictures posted on my walls.  The pictures might be a little embarrassing, but not what took place there.   This camp is where I accepted Christ in  elementary school, but it was my junior high years at this summer camp that I really started realizing what it meant to daily surrender my life to Christ (something I am still learning).  It was those junior high years that things began to change.

I believe that is why I am passionate about The Peak.  I have had the proviledge of being at 11 junior high summer camps through RHCC and every year it gets better.  I witness lives being changed by God and I would not trade that for the world.

Something wondrous takes place at The Peak and it is hard to even begin to describe with words.  Maybe it is the fact that we are hours away from home and enjoying nature.  Maybe it is the amazing accommodations we have at Cascades.  Maybe it is all the fun activities we are able to do.  Maybe it is the community we share as we live life together.  Maybe it is the messages we hear from Mark as the Spirit moves through him in a mighty way as he teaches.  Maybe it is the small group discussions where students realize they can be transparent.  Maybe it is the unity we feel as the Body of Christ.  I don’t think the answer is “maybe” I think that the answer is that IT IS.  Camp is powerful because we have an All Powerful God who is directing it all.  He is in control of the fun, the laughter, the community that is felt, and the lives that are being impacted to live for Him.  God moves each year, and we do not take that lightly.

My prayer is that this summer every one of our students will be able to experience God while at The Peak.  Not because I want to sell them anything.  I want them to realize that God has a plan for their lives, and God wants to use them each day.  And something about being away from the busyness of life helps you realize these things.

I know I did.  That week each summer at Alpine Camp made me stop and think about my life.  It caused me to get out of my routine to evaluate if I was going to surrender my life to Christ, or to allow “life” to overrule my obedience to Him.   It made me think about choices I was making and if they were honoring to God.

Maybe the word wondrous is the wrong word.  But, if you have ever been to The Peak, when the Spirit of God moves it is beyond words.  And I cannot describe fully what takes place.

My hope is that our week at camp is a time every student will experience God in a wondrous new way.

Jen