December Letter

December 2010

Pitching A Tent At Christmas

Angel choirs, shepherd pageants, and quaint stables, in this season, sometimes deflect our minds from the crude realities of what happened that night so long ago in Bethlehem. John wrote (1:14), “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt (literally ‘pitched a tent’) among us, and we saw His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” God the Son in a sense pitched His tent among us and became, for a brief moment of history a part of our camp. Living out the human experience in all of its harshness, He did not become like us. Experiencing the brutal sting of poverty, racial hatred, religious hypocrisy, betrayal, social injustice and ultimately a wrongful death sentence, He emerged with an aura of glory, demonstrating the perfect balance of gracew and truth, a balance unknown to humanity. From an impoverished Jewish family, in a tiny vassal state at a time when Rome ruthlessly subjugated virtually all of humanity to its pagan whims, He lived within the time and space of His native culture, never losing sight of a mission which enveloped all families of the human race. His death for sin was His greatest accomplishment, setting the stage for the ultimate miracle of resurrection. His followers, down to this very December of 2010, have been left with the commission of ambassadorship, proclaiming reconciliation to God to fellow inhabitants of this cold world.

For twenty-two years now, God has given this agency a ministry of reconciliation. Pristine camp experiences do not mask the harsh realities of ambassadorship in a very broken world. God calls us to serve, sometimes literally pitching a tent, while living among those we serve. It is a challenge to live out the loving kindness of Jesus while never slighting the truth of Christ. People Sometimes say, “Isn’t your work rewarding?” The obvious (and honest) answer is “yes”, but not an unqualified “yes”. Between many mountain peaks are some long and treacherous canyons. Not every day is a “happy day”. Often God brings young persons to us who are skeptical, secularized, hostile and very broken, although they may not know it. Increasing numbers of the kids we serve have been raised as “leftovers” from relationships that did not work out. Unmet emotional needs, exploited passions, a Godless outlook on life, and narcissistic personal values do not create

We are, however, a redemptive ministry! Our mission is not primarily social change, or youth maintenance, or despair, but one of transformation. Paul writes that God made Christ, “who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Through a miracle which only God can produce, He is in the business of creating new creatures in Christ. Those persons are characterized by the passing away of old things and the coming of new (II Corinthians 5:17, 21) Increasingly as the years have progressed we have seen the absolute need for the gospel message and for Biblical teaching which gives foundation and structure to the message of good news. Entering the second decade of this new millennium, we are recommitting ourselves, in this ministry structure called Camp Appanoose, to Christ’s redemptive work. In coming months an extended vision for this ministry will be presented. Vision 20/20 will assess immediate ministry needs in light of long term goals, and then chart a course of action for the next decade.

An operating deficit and several urgent material needs have not lessened the passion of those of us who serve at camp. God has shown Himself faithful these past twenty-two years and He will meet our current needs. As we attempt to raise an additional three thousand dollars a month, or thirty-six thousand a year, we ask you to pray to the Lord of the harvest, that He will continue to raise up laborers who will be willing to pitch their tents where the need to know Christ is so great. Pray that He will raise up others who will fund the efforts and pray that He will show you how that you may be involved.