When my grandson heard we were going to camp, he thought we would sleep in tents and have fun in the great outdoors. I knew better and looked forward to spending time with the men of our Church. It was a little out of my comfort zone, but I knew I needed to step out if I was going to advance. So why did I need to go there to “advance” and what was my goal?
I knew we wouldn’t be sleeping in tents but wasn’t sure about sleeping in a dormitory. We were warned about the hard mattresses, and I brought a sleeping bag to provide extra padding. Other than the beds, the dorms met our needs. Good thing, since a Texas thunderstorm rolled in overnight. I have a nicer bed and would have been more comfortable back home, so why did I need to go to camp, to advance?
This “camp” easily handled the thousand men who attended the meetings. They served us full meals, and students attending their Bible School worked hard to meet our needs. They had other activities to help us enjoy our stay. It would be easy to find better food and activities to fill our time at another location. The fee was incredibly low, for what they provided, but that wasn’t the deal we came to camp for.
I came to draw closer to GOD. I didn’t take my computer and my phone couldn’t connect to the internet. I got away from the distractions of daily life and spent time focusing on JESUS. I didn’t even check the news or weather. The schedule showed two sessions Friday night and two more on Saturday, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Great worship, men-focused preaching, followed by life-changing prayer. It wasn’t a show or a program, the HOLY SPIRIT ministered.
So, who gave up their Friday night and Saturday morning to attend these services? Our own group included grandpas, fathers, and teenagers, like the diversity of the audience. Tattooed arms were lifted in praise, as tears ran down sun baked faces. Men dressed in suits were praying with others in jeans and tee-shirts. Old cowboys and farmers rejoiced in GOD’s presence, along with young students and businessmen. Red and yellow, black, and white, they are precious in His sight…JESUS loves all His children!
What made a thousand men, from different backgrounds, come together for Church services? The main reason is “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). GOD’s love started it all, but why is the Country Camp hosting a Men’s Advance on a busy weekend?
JESUS did His part and then told us “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mat 16:15 KJV). Godly men are obeying that command, so that none would be lost. Men needed a place to get revived and strengthened so they can continue to “advance” for GOD and against the enemy. That is also why I needed to go to camp!
Wayne Lance (2018)