Summer Bible camps can exert awesome, lasting influence: Faith Matters clergy column from Pastor Jeffrey Gross for Saturday, April 23, 2016

"And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." (Luke 5:16 KJV)

As I am in the process of promoting our denomination's Bible Camp, Luther Springs in northern Florida, I recall my experiences as a camper and a camp counselor.

A warm spirit of serenity and peace comes with this vivid recollection.

I recall a time when I went with our youth group to a Lutherock, a high adventure Bible Camp in North Carolina. On the road, which was a long trip, we allowed our youth to play their hand-held games and text on their cell phones, I think, in part, to prevent a mutiny. In part, to "get it out of their system."

Because when we arrived at camp, they were collected until the end of the week.

We told them: "You will so busy, you will not have time for them."

I wish I took a picture of the look on their faces.

Miracle of miracles, they survived!

They went rock climbing, caving, white-water rafting, hiking along the Blue Ridge trail, advance rope courses, you name it.

At the end of the week they got their games and phones back.

Apparently the novelty wore off within the first few miles because they spent most of their time talking about their experience, the friends they made, the friendships that were strengthened, the counselors who inspired them and the songs they learned around the evening camp fires. This is just one observation among many.

As a pastor, I see the benefit of camp ministry within my confirmation class and youth group.

As a parent, I see the benefit of camp ministry within my own children who remain active in the church. And while there is a great deal of focus on how camp ministry affects the young, I know that older members go to experience camp ministry throughout the year by attending spiritual retreats that enrich their lives.

Camp ministry excludes nobody and benefits everybody.

I write from my experience as a Lutheran, but I know Methodists and Baptists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians, Roman Catholics and Pentecostals, clergy and lay people alike who have all echoed my praises of camp ministry. Not only have we talked about the blessing camp ministry has been to our congregations, but how camp ministry has benefited us, as clergy, in our daily ministry.

We are at the end of April and looking at the summer. I encourage you to inquire about camps within your respective denominations. I encourage you to sign your children up, sign up for a spiritual retreat or simply take a drive to the closest camp and walk around. I promise that you will be blessed.

Isn't it nice to know that God still speaks to us in the media saturated hustle and bustle of daily life?

Sometimes we have to get away to a quiet and secluded place in order to hear God better.

It worked for Jesus, and it is still working.

The Rev. Jeffrey R. Gross, B.A., M. Div., pastor of Living Lord Lutheran Church, ELCA, 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch, can be reached at 941-753-9365 or pastorjeff@livinglordfl.org. Faith Matters is a regular feature of Saturday's Herald, written by local clergy members.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Summer Bible camps can exert awesome, lasting influence: Faith Matters clergy column from Pastor Jeffrey Gross for Saturday, April 23, 2016 ."