Two weeks ago, I wrote my Last Word from the floor of the General Assembly at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. This week, I’m writing from a cabin at the Christian Conference Center while Cathie Courtois and her co-director lead my group of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in a special activity (giving me a minute to write this for you!).
For me, both of these activities bring me full circle. The first General Assembly I ever attended was in Des Moines in 1985 during my second year of seminary. Since then, I’ve been to 17 different General Assemblies in different cities around the country. My first church camp experience, on the other hand, was right here at the Christian Conference Center for my first year of Chi Rho in 1974. Since then, I’ve been either a camper or a counselor nearly every summer, not only in Iowa, but in Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio, as well.
How awesome it is to return to Holy Ground – to the place where my gifts for ministry were first encouraged by loving counselors. And how awesome it is to know that I serve a congregation that truly understands the importance of church camp!