140 results for author: Author


FROM THE VAULT: Honoring Fathers

[From the Editor] The Catholic Church has recognized the important role of fathers since at least the early 1500s, in conjunction with a feast day honoring Saint Joseph (Mary’s husband and Jesus’ earthly father.) However, Father’s Day as we know it is a relatively new holiday. Much like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day celebrations by local congregations or communities started popping up in different areas of the United States in the early 1900s, whether as a one-time or an annual event. While the first bill to recognize it as a federal holiday was introduced to Congress in the 1910s (around the same time as Mother’s Day), it was feared that ...

The Cost of Discipleship

Written by Zach Jones   As believers, we are disciples of Christ. Being a disciple of Christ means that we are willing to follow Christ in His authority and direction. As it states in Luke 14:33, “So, therefore any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” There is a cost of being a disciple of Christ, one being willing to leave everything behind to follow Him. That could be giving up family, fame, money, or power.  In Luke 14:25-33, we where it is stated that there will be a cost of being a discipleship. We see this in the times of the original disciples, but also currently. Andrew and Simon were ...

The Impact Parents have on Mission Minded Choices

By Jacquelyn Davis  Psalms 127:4 says, “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” I remember hearing this verse growing up. I didn’t fully understand it until I was older, but I knew that it was an important verse to my parents and, today, I am glad that it was. One thing my parents well understood was that they were raising children to be sent into the world and live for Christ, not necessarily to stay nearby. Parents have an incredible impact on the lives of their children. I personally was greatly impacted by my parents. As they raised me, several things they did encouraged me towards missions. Here are ...

How Outdoor Activities Positively Affect Kids

Written by Will Zinke   Hi! My name is Will Zinke, from Camp Gilead, and I was asked to do a blog on the importance of outdoor activities for children and being outside.  Well, let’s see, where should I start?  Camp ministry is all about getting kids outside! After a year of shutdowns and quarantines when kids binged on TV and video games, turning them into couch potatoes [ugh!], we can offer them real adventure!  We were meant to be outdoors in God’s creation, with the wind in our hair and sun on our faces! Being outside is beneficial for kids to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually,  As you probably already know, we NEED ...

Getting Away from the Noise

Written by Nathaniel Miller Campers are constantly bombarded by all the things the world offers. Think of a camper’s average day as a fair or carnival. Everywhere they look something is vying for their attention, time, energy, money, and resources. This picture is not an argument against fairs; I greatly missed the North Carolina State Fair this past year.  But when there are so many voices, music, and venues filling the space, it all comes across as noise.  As fun as fairs can be, it would be quite unhealthy to spend every day at one.  In some ways, this picture is what campers’ lives are like in the digital age. Most have access to a ...