Benefits of Attending a Family Church Camp

"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity" - Psalm 133: 1 (NIV)

Two years ago, J and I along with our then one-year-old little Queen B attended our first ever family church camp. It was organized by our local church and was held at CCT Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center in Tagaytay City. For three days and two nights, we listened, reflected, and discussed God's Word and how we can become disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ who are rooted in His Word, service, and prayer. 

Our attendance in that church camp is the catalyst J and I both needed to jumpstart again our journey to an intimate relationship and fellowship with our Heavenly Father. There will always be room for improvement but we have both grown spiritually ever since that we promised that we will devote time and resources so we can attend this every two years event of our local church regularly. 

And in less than two months time, our family will be attending our second family church camp and we are pretty excited about it. There are many benefits to attending church camps as a family and here are some: 

• Church camps can revitalize your and your family's faith. 

"But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." - Revelation 2: 4 (ESV)

Do you still remember your first days as Christ's disciples? Do you remember the deepness of your gratitude to His free gift of salvation? Do you remember your insatiable hunger for knowledge of Him? Now, years after your submission to Him, do you still feel the same? 

A church camp can infuse new energy into your spiritual journey which an hour or two of church service per week may not be able to achieve. You will be given ample time to reflect, digest, and pray about your takeaways from the topic. For J and I, these periods led to a realization that we want and need more in our spiritual life. 

• A church camp is an avenue to learn new theological concepts or new aspects of previously learned theological concepts. 

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12: 2 (ESV)

The more we know God, the more we know His will in our lives and that His will always led to our sanctification. So it is our responsibility as Christ's disciples to find ways to know more about our Father. Attending church camps is one way to do that. 

Since camps usually have a theme, you will be able to go deeper into a topic that may take longer to accomplish in weekly church services. 

It was also during our church camp that our little Queen B attended her very first kids' church so we can concentrate on the talks. We have, of course, talk about God to her. We have read her Bible stories but that period was her first to listen to other people talk about God. 

• Church camps can help you and your family develop new discipleship habits.  

"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." - Hebrews 5: 14 (ESV)

Even though I'm an avid reader, before our church camp I have never read the whole Bible in its entirety but a year after I have already completed it. Our church camp led me to realize the importance of making reading God's Word a habit. Part of our routine then is to have an hour before breakfast for a morning devotion. I saw my roommates wake up early for their alone time with God. They have inspired me to have my own appointment with Him. 

For those who have made reading the Bible a daily habit already, you can make it more in-depth by journaling about it. It was one of the advises we have received in the church camp. If you are artistically inclined, you can do Bible art journaling instead of the traditional journaling. 

A prayer habit is also another habit that church camps can help you with as you will be constantly given time to pray alone and even pray for others. 

• Through church camps, you can form or deepen your relationship with your brothers and sisters in faith. 

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10: 24-25 (ESV)

In our church camp, every talk was also followed by a sharing or discussion of the attendees which we call Life on Life. We were divided into smaller groups of 3 or 4 members so everyone will be able to participate. Also, we were encouraged to seek different group members for each Life on Life session. Aside from these group discussions leading to a deeper understanding of our topic, our groupings also led us to talk and to know more about our churchmates we don't usually talk to during Sunday services or those who attend a different time service than ours. 

Aside from the talks and discussion, church camps also have games in their programs. These fun portions develop our camaraderie and friendships with each other that we still have up to this day. Even our little Queen B developed friendships with the kids in our church. 

During one of our group activities. Everyone contribute and help in our project.

One's walk with Christ will be easier with the help, support, and encouragement with our brothers and sisters in faith. 

"Strong churches don't make strong families. Strong families make strong churches." - Dr. Tim Kimmel

• Church camps serve as bonding time of a family. 

"He will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great. May the Lord give you increase, you and your children!" - Psalm 115: 13-14 (ESV)

Attending church camp as a family is a wonderful way to have family bonding time. We are learning and at the same time having fun as a family. It was like a vacation for us. It was our first time at CCT. We experienced there our first bonfire as a family. We made new friends and create happy memories.

As our little Queen B grows, I'm excited to hear her thoughts on the topics that will be discussed and see her grow as a child of God. 

Happy campers!

Investing in our family's spiritual growth is always a good idea. Make attending family church camps a family tradition that you prepare and look forward to. Let's be intentional in our spiritual growth. 

"Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church." - Jonathan Edwards

For those interested, our local church GCF- Santa Rosa will be having its family church camp with the theme, "TOUGH: A Strong Family in Christ" this coming October 31 to November 2, 2018, at Word of Life Camp, Calauan, Laguna. This is open for both members and non-members of GCF- Santa Rosa. Please visit our Facebook page for more information and registration. 

Yours, 

Lady