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Cover Article
“Camp Open Arms"
Since 1974 Camp Open Arms (COA) has served as a unique
experience for thousands of children. For many of them it remains the highlight
of their summer. Hundreds of campers have come to know Jesus as Savior while
attending COA. Only in eternity will we know the full impact of this ministry on
the lives of the campers.
 We have also stated that COA directly ministers to another
group of folks – the counselors. It is a common statement that those who set out
to serve God and bless others often receive the greatest blessing. God rewards
service to Him with blessings that far surpass what we feel we have done for
others.
For many high school students, COA is the first taste of
Christian service. We tend to refer to it as a "baptism by fire." We attempt to
staff our camp with as many mature adults as we can, but we inevitably find
ourselves calling on high school and college students, whose summers are more
flexible, to fill in the gaps. These young counselors come to COA and are handed
some very adult responsibilities.
One such young man was Blake O’Brien. In 2001 Blake first
came to work at COA (he was actually a year younger than we typically look for,
but he was available and willing). He was, of course, younger than all of the
other counselors, and not much older than some of the campers. He rose to the
task and became a regular for several years.
 He was a great worker, and we were soon calling on him to
serve as a head counselor. The campers loved Blake (especially our girl campers
) for his high energy and for his love for the campers. As Blake neared the end
of his college days the responsibilities of life prevented him from working at
camp (We seem to lose a lot of good workers due to their growing up!).
I received a recent message from Blake that I would like to
share with you. I hope you are as encouraged by it as I have been:
Hey Alan, I hope you and your family are doing well. Thought
I'd send you a quick message and let you know what’s been going on, and to thank
you for the impact you have had on my life. I know I had inquired about jobs at
the mission at the end of last year so I thought I'd let you know what has
happened since then.
The Lord blessed me with a job in Roanoke, VA, working for a
company called DePaul Family Services. I work in the clinical department as a
Behavioral Specialist. I work with troubled and foster kids in the school system
who have been abused. I am very happy doing this kind of work, and my wife and I
love it here in Roanoke. We have gotten involved in an amazing church here and
are making new friends.
I can't tell you how much my years at Camp Open Arms have
helped me with what I do today. Working there at a young age gave me the passion
to help kids for the rest of my life. I still keep in contact with a handful of
the kids from over the years. It is crazy to see some of these kids graduating
high school this year, and when I worked with them they were barely old enough
to be at the camp!
Anyway, thank you for the impact you and your family have had
on my life and the example you have set of how to be a good husband. Even just
watching you and your family for 2 weeks every summer; you have set a great
example to me. Thanks again, talk to you later!
Blake
What a thrill for us to hear how COA impacts lives of
campers... and counselors!! Although Blake is not my son, we did get to watch
him do a lot of growing at Camp Open Arms. The words of 3 John 1:4 ring in our
ears – I have no greater joy than this, to hear of
my children walking in the truth. (NASB)
As you consider how you might support this very worthy
ministry, please keep in mind that you are certainly affording opportunities for
young campers to meet Jesus. Furthermore, you are providing a chance for solid
young Christians get involved in hands-on ministry that will forever impact
their and the lives of those with whom they come in contact.
Superintendent's
Corner
Some things change, Some things don’t!
Some things have changed about our summer camp over the
decades - in fact, most everything that you can see as you visit has changed. We
have moved from Lanexa to Surry. A new generation of folks are directing and
working at camp. Programs have expanded to appeal to the kids of today, and a
good many old things have gone by the way, replaced with newer things.
It is also true that some things have remained the same.
Truth does not change, and people are essentially the same in every generation.
Thus, there must be some immutable constants that are at the heart of what we do
in ministry to the children. Several of those unchanging things are:
1) Our view of children. Okay, kids learn more younger, especially about the
evils of the world. But whether we deal with the naive child of yesteryear or
the street-wise kid of today, the answers to life’s problems are the same. We
see the children as candidates for God’s grace, for salvation through faith in
Jesus Christ. That has not changed at all.
2) God’s (and our) love for the children. It matters not if a child is a sandlot
second baseman or an asphalt jungle gang-banger. God still loves them, and He
enables us to reflect that love. 100 hours per child is time enough for them to
be convinced that there is someone who cares about them sincerely.
3) Our goals for the children. We want to see them get to know God in the
forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ. We want to see relationships
built that will provide for further ministry after the bell has rung on the end
of Camp Open Arms. We want a love for the Bible to begin to grow in their hearts
as they hear it read, taught, and sung - as they see it lived by their adult and
youth counselors.
4) The resources for blessing the children. From the first summer of camp in
1974 until the present, our friends have proved faithful in supporting Camp Open
Arms. We are counting on you again this year to bless the children by being our
resource, enabled by God to give generously.
A Note From Alan
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