Lake Sallateeska | Of all the words used to describe summer camp, “intense” probably wouldn’t make most campers’ top 10. But for one young man at Lake Sallateeska this summer, the word fit what he learned about following Christ.
Camp Director Scott Slone came upon a conversation between two junior-highers during a devotional time at Sallateeska, IBSA’s camp facility in southern Illinois. The students were discussing what keeps people from trusting Jesus, and Slone chimed in about the cost many people pay – even with their lives – to follow Christ.
One of the students looked up and said, “Man, this is intense,” Slone remembered.
“It was a defining moment for me as I watched this young man process what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ,” said Slone, who pastors First Baptist Church, Elkville. The next day, the student surrendered his life to Christ.
He is one of 30 kids and teens who decided to follow Christ during IBSA’s three weeks of summer camp at Lake Sallateeska. At Streator Camp in northern Illinois, four more students accepted Christ, and two dedicated their lives to full-time ministry. Together, the four weeks of camp included 370 participants, an increase in attendance of more than 30% over last year.
“I consider it a great privilege to be able to partner with our IBSA family in teaching our young people what it means to follow Christ,” Slone said. “It truly is an intense journey of faith.”
IBSA’s summer camp strategy is to partner with local churches and associations to facilitate each week of camp. For future camp info and more opportunities for children, go to IBSA.org/kids.