Simple camp leader training

The camp welcomed all the leaders this last weekend in preparation to minister to over 3000 campers. The entire weekend was spent training them on the rules, schedules, discipline policies, and every other little detail in the giant leader handbook.

After all of these long hours of training I got the privilege of speaking to them the night before they met the first group of campers. So many things could be covered on how to reach out to children but only one thing was covered: Loving them.
The leaders needed to understand the basic question every child is asking "Do you like me". Children in any home, stable or unstable, rich or poor, christian or non-Christian is looking for someone who loves them.

For four or five days the children will hear the gospel in the "campitheater". This message will have a big impact on the kids and perhaps lead some to accepting Christ. For many children from non-christian families and others with a short attention span, will very likely not understand or remember the message.

In spite of this, what will draw those kids to Christ will be most of all the love they received from their leaders. Some kids will come to camp for several weeks and some may never come again but leaders who love them, they will never forget. Genuine love from a leader who gives a child faithful attention and makes extra efforts to learn more about a child will become someone they will always remember. It may be years and years till one of these kids turn to Christ but when their heart is open they will turn to Christ because they saw someone just like Him for just a few days.