08/21/2026
Written by Jesse Holcomb, Director of Students & Young Adults at Lighthouse Christian Center
The Lasting Impact of Summer Camp: Where Seeds of Faith Are Planted
All summer long, across our district, a familiar phenomenon has been unfolding. Small armies of teenagers have been marched into the woods, cabins, and lakes of the Pacific Northwest by brave counselors and leaders.
Summer camp remains a time-honored tradition in student ministry, and for many young people, it becomes a pivotal moment in their decision to follow Jesus.
This past July, we witnessed incredible growth as students encountered Christ. One young man began finding his worth in Jesus rather than in his performance on the soccer field. One young woman stepped into confession and repentance and found grace and friendship among girls who had been strangers just days earlier.
In the aftermath of too much Axe body spray and too little sleep, I am reminded of what camp makes possible. It creates space for silence, reflection, worship, confession, and honest conversation. It removes students from the noise of ordinary life and gives them an opportunity to hear Jesus more clearly.
Camp cannot replace the slow work of discipleship, but it can interrupt a student’s life long enough for something new to begin.
As students return to their homes, schools, teams, and churches, please pray that the seeds planted this summer would continue to grow. Pray that they would remain rooted in Scripture, surrounded by Christian community, and courageous in following Jesus long after camp has ended.
