Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Camp Director's Report - David Buncher


Some of Our Brigade Camp Staff Week 3

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they
may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in
heaven.” Matthew 5:16 ESV

Our theme this year at Brigade Camp was “Truth”.  As written in our Bible Explorer, Winston Churchill once said, “The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”

We had a successful Christian Service Brigade Summer Camp season.  This is a difficult statement to convey in words.  There are many ways I can try to help you understand how this summer was a success:

Our camp was one of the fullest we have had in over a decade.  We had 416 campers in all this summer, ministered to by over 137 staff.  Several weeks we were using every available cabin and filled the dining hall wall to wall.

Our skill and craft programs were a huge success thanks to the hard work of our senior counselors, junior counselors, and staff that kept everything going smoothly.  It is a major task to keep so many balls in the air and keep every part of this giant camp machine running. 

How can I give you an idea of what went on spiritually?  Our counselors are encouraged to fill out decision cards for any major spiritual decisions.  It is exciting to report to you that we received cards reporting 7 salvation decisions, 40 decisions to rededicated to the Lord, and 27 requests for specific prayer on a spiritual issue.  Though these numbers are exciting I don’t believe they can adequately tell about the true gravity of what God had done in the hearts of our campers.

One of my favorite sights to see around the camp is cabins sitting together in the afternoon doing their Bible Exploration, and campers spending time alone with God during morning devotions.  These times are open the door for God to work in the lives of these kids.

Also God showed up at our evening campfires.  Campfires begin with fun skits and songs led by our great team of Junior Counselors.  Each night a different Senior Counselor brings a brief message.  The culmination of the week is always our Friday Night Campfire at our “Down-Below” fire ring.  During our Battalion week 58 campers went forward and 55 went forward during stockade week, for salvation, rededication, and prayer.  It was truly a moving sight to see these young men gather together before the Lord, and boldly stand before their peers.

In any ministry, there is also a great spiritual impact on those who choose to serve.  It was great to have Ken Horst, who was one of our campers nearly a decade ago return as a senior counselor and bring his son along as a camper.  It is always fun to hear both senior counselors and many dads, from our Father/Child camps, reminiscing about their years as campers at Brigade Camp.

All in all we had a great summer at Brigade Camp and can’t wait to see you next year!!

Dave Buncher
Ohio Valley CSB Ministries Camp Director