Friday, June 26, 2020

The Success of Ohio Brigade Camp's 75th Season - Outdoor Challenge


OC Leadership Team Dedicates the Week to God
With the government response to COVID creating havoc, our 75th year of Ohio Brigade Camp was atypical to say the least, yet pinnacle in so many ways. I’m not sure what Brigade Camp in Ohio looked like 75 years ago, but I’m sure it was centered in the great outdoors. Providence forced us into a 75th Brigade Camp retro experience.

Despite cancelling our regular camping season, we forged forward with our Outdoor Challenge. Outdoor Challenge drives right from the core of Christian Service Brigade. It places men, a band of brothers committed to Christ and love and skill for the outdoors, with a group of young men seeking adventure and direction in life. This process allows men to build relationship for the purpose of bringing boys to Christ and toward a deeper biblical worldview.
(OC) program.

OC Elite Heads Out to Their Campsite on Day 1
Leaders have described this year’s OC as one of the best ever - if not the best. Twenty-two young men were able to experience life together in the great outdoors with ten committed men. From basic survival to gourmet outdoor cooking, these guys got the experience of a lifetime and a segue into God’s Word.

In addition to The Four Spiritual Laws, Bible exploration centered on scriptures and topics pulled from Dr. Del Tackett’s, The Truth Project. OC participants dug into the Bible on topics which included; Who is God, Who is Man, Ethics and Philosophy, What is Science, as well as God’s view on the family, the church, and the state. This is a wonderful comprehensive exploration of biblical worldview. If you have not experienced The Truth Project, I highly recommend getting a copy of the videos. They are worth every penny.

The pinnacle of the week is summed up in spiritual commitment and fellowship. During the week we had one camper accept Christ as Savior, campers asking leaders for prayer in areas of sin and the need for courage, as well as campers testifying that they, “had learned so much.” As I watched these young men part way, it was obvious they had forged a strong brotherhood during the week.

Thank you for your prayers and support for CSB Ministries. Though we may have had the smallest number of campers in 75 years, the investment yielded great dividends. Pray that the guys will continue in the spiritual growth that took place during this pinnacle week of Outdoor Challenge!

Last Dinner Before the Great Outdoors
Sunday Night Campfire

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Outdoor Challenge Camp Survives COVID

2020 Outdoor Challenge - "Camping Gone Viral"
Despite the government response to COVID, Ohio Brigade Camp, Outdoor Challenge (OC) has survived. Because of the nature of this program, being an outdoor camping situation rather than resident camping, we never cancelled. Our OC leaders are having a great time ministering to 22 young men this week.

Please pray for Joe Sukosd, Andrew Smith and the team as they lead these young men in outdoor skills and in God's Word toward biblical manhood. Pray for their safety. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the discussion and will work mightily as these young men face so many obvious cultural and spiritual issues.