Showing Grace at Summer Camp

Josh on August 5th, 2009

Yesterday we had our first major incident at summer camp – two guys shared a fist, a choke hold and a bloody nose – it all happened in a matter of seconds.

Nobody got sent home – I’m quick to show grace at camp. Now, if there was a black eye, the students weren’t repentant, or it required a trip to the ER – maybe the punishment would be more severe. But two guys losing their tempers and control for a few brief moments isn’t worth sending someone home, not to me at least.

Here’s why – there was a boy at summer camp some 40 years ago – he was an unchurched, angry young man. He had kicked and punched water pipes in the boys bathroom because he was ticked that chapel time was required and he didn’t want to go. Although he probably deserved to go home for causing such significant damage, someone showed him grace. A leader believed in Him and that God was going to do something special with him at camp.

Two nights later, this boy accepted Christ. Years later, he would go on to be a pastor and raise amazing children, one of whom I would be fatally attracted to and have 4 children with. My father-in-law was shown incredible grace at summer camp one year, so my heart always leans that way when I’m at camp, too.

Here’s to hoping those two boys walk away from camp changed forever.

JG

Comments (2)

Sam at 2:23pm August 5

That’s Jesus with skin on style of behavior, baby. I love to surprise students with Grace!

Joel at 7:46pm August 6

Thanks for sharing. Sometimes, as a student pastor, I am encouraged to be swift with justice but I think that patience and grace are definitely two of Jesus greatest qualities.