Transformative Power of Christian Community at Camp
Summary
This morning, the focus is on the transformative power of Christian community, especially as experienced through summer camp at Pecometh. Camp is more than just a place for fun; it is holy ground where young people and staff alike are invited to step away from the patterns of the world and encounter God in a personal, life-changing way. The wilderness experience of camp echoes biblical stories—like Elijah and Jesus—who withdrew to be renewed and return transformed. At Pecometh, children from all backgrounds, regardless of their circumstances, are welcomed into a loving, safe environment where they can unplug from distractions and plug into relationships that matter.
Rather than simply encouraging people to “be themselves,” the call is to become the best version of themselves—living sacrifices, as Paul writes in Romans, transformed by God and using the spiritual gifts He has given. These gifts are not for personal glory but for the building up of the body of Christ, whether that’s through leading, helping, teaching, or simply bringing joy. Camp is a place where these gifts are discovered and nurtured, and where young people often experience faith as a personal relationship rather than a set of rules or expectations.
The impact of camp is lasting. Surveys show that children return home more helpful, more open about their faith, and less attached to electronics—evidence of real transformation. But the journey doesn’t end at camp; the church community plays a vital role in continuing to nurture these gifts and experiences. There is a call to action: not just to send kids to camp, but to actively get them there, to pray for the ministry, and to support it in practical ways. Every effort to bring a child to camp is an investment in their spiritual growth and in the future of the church. The invitation is open to all, and the hope is that everyone will find ways to share in this ministry, whether through prayer, support, or sharing their own stories of transformation.
Key Takeaways
- True transformation happens when we step away from the patterns of the world and allow God to shape us into the best version of ourselves. This requires intentional time apart—like the wilderness experiences of biblical figures—where we can unplug from distractions and listen for God’s voice. It is in these moments that we are renewed and prepared to return to our daily lives with new purpose. [40:39]
- Spiritual gifts are given to each of us not for our own benefit, but for the building up of the community. Whether our gifts are visible or behind the scenes, each one is essential to the body of Christ. Recognizing and using these gifts is an act of worship and a way to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. [50:51]
- The most important thing we can offer to young people is a safe, loving environment where they can encounter God for themselves. Faith that is discovered through personal experience, rather than imposed, is the kind that endures and grows. Creating these spaces—at camp and in church—requires humility, patience, and a willingness to meet people where they are. [48:51]
- The impact of Christian community is seen in the small but significant changes: children returning home more helpful, more joyful, and more open about their faith. These are signs of spiritual gifts being awakened and nurtured. Our role is to continue supporting and encouraging these gifts as they develop, both in young people and in ourselves. [53:54]
- Faith in action means moving beyond passive support to active engagement. It’s not enough to simply send resources; we are called to seek out opportunities to bring others into transformative experiences, whether that’s inviting a child to camp or sharing our own stories of faith. This is how we extend the reach of God’s love beyond the walls of the church. [56:21]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Opening Camp Game: “That’s Me”
[03:10] - Camp Pecometh: History and Impact
[07:30] - The Power of Christian Community
[10:55] - “Don’t Be Yourself”—A Countercultural Call
[14:20] - The Wilderness Experience: Biblical Roots
[18:05] - Camp as Holy Ground
[21:30] - Creating Safe and Loving Spaces
[25:00] - Spiritual Gifts in Action
[28:15] - Transformation Beyond Camp
[32:40] - The Church’s Role in Nurturing Gifts
[36:00] - Faith in Action: Getting Kids to Camp
[40:00] - Stories of Impact and Testimonies
[44:30] - Updates and Opportunities to Support
[48:00] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Transformative Power of Christian Community (Pecometh Camp)
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### Bible Reading
Romans 12:1-8 (NIV)
> Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
> For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
> For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
> We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:1-2, what does Paul say is true worship, and how does he describe the process of transformation?
2. In the sermon, what are some of the “patterns of the world” that the speaker mentions we are called to step away from? ([49:48])
3. What are some examples of spiritual gifts that were mentioned as being discovered or used at camp or in church? ([50:51])
4. What changes do parents notice in their children after returning from camp, according to the surveys shared in the sermon? ([53:54])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul urges believers not to “conform to the pattern of this world” but to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”? How does this relate to the camp experience described in the sermon? ([40:39])
2. The sermon challenges the idea of “just be yourself” and instead calls us to become the best version of ourselves. What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice” in practical terms? ([49:48])
3. The speaker says that spiritual gifts are not for personal glory but for building up the body of Christ. How might this change the way we view our own talents and roles in the church? ([50:51])
4. The sermon highlights the importance of creating a safe, loving environment for young people to encounter God. Why is this kind of environment so crucial for faith to become personal and lasting? ([48:51])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talks about “unplugging from distractions” and “plugging into relationships that matter.” What is one distraction in your life that you feel called to step away from this week? How could you intentionally create space to listen for God’s voice? ([47:33])
2. Think about the spiritual gifts God has given you. Are you using them to build up the community, or are there gifts you haven’t explored yet? What is one step you could take to use your gifts more intentionally? ([50:51])
3. The speaker shared that camp is a place where faith becomes a personal relationship, not just a set of rules. When have you experienced faith as a relationship rather than a list of expectations? How can you help others, especially young people, have that kind of experience? ([48:51])
4. The impact of camp is seen in small changes—kids being more helpful, joyful, and open about faith. What is one small but significant change you’ve seen in yourself or someone else after a spiritual experience? ([53:54])
5. The sermon calls us to move from passive support to active engagement—“not just to send kids to camp, but to get them there.” What is one practical way you could support a young person’s spiritual growth this month? ([56:21])
6. The idea of “holy ground” at camp is powerful. Where in your life do you feel you have experienced “holy ground”—a place or time where you encountered God in a special way? How can you help create that space for others? ([46:09])
7. The speaker invites everyone to share their own stories of transformation. What is one story from your life where God used community to change you? How might sharing that story encourage someone else? ([59:32])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Pray for the young people in your church and community, for the ministry of Pecometh and other camps, and for God to help each person in the group discover and use their spiritual gifts for the good of the body of Christ.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Sacred Solitude for True Renewal
Transformation begins when we intentionally step away from the noise and distractions of daily life to create space for God’s renewing presence. Just as biblical figures like Elijah and Jesus withdrew into the wilderness to be refreshed and reoriented, you too are invited to find moments of sacred solitude. These times apart are not escapes but opportunities to listen deeply for God’s voice, allowing Him to shape you into the best version of yourself. It is in these quiet, intentional pauses that your heart is prepared to return to the world with renewed purpose and clarity.
This process requires courage and discipline because it means unplugging from the patterns of the world that often pull you away from God’s transformative work. When you embrace these wilderness experiences, you open yourself to a deeper encounter with God that goes beyond surface-level faith. This renewal is not just for your benefit but equips you to live out your calling with fresh energy and vision. [40:39]
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)
Reflection: What specific distractions or routines can you set aside this week to create a sacred space for God’s renewal in your life? How will you protect this time from being overtaken by busyness?
Day 2: Offering Spiritual Gifts as Acts of Worship
Every believer is uniquely gifted by God, not for personal gain or recognition, but to build up the community of faith. These spiritual gifts—whether visible or behind the scenes—are essential threads in the fabric of the body of Christ. Recognizing and using your gifts is a profound act of worship, a way of offering yourself as a living sacrifice to God. This means moving beyond self-centeredness and embracing a posture of service that strengthens others and glorifies God.
At camp and in the church, these gifts are discovered, nurtured, and put into action. Whether you lead, teach, encourage, or bring joy, your contribution matters deeply. The call is to live out your faith actively by stewarding these gifts with humility and intentionality, knowing that each role is vital to the health and growth of the community. [50:51]
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Reflection: Identify one spiritual gift you sense God has given you. How can you intentionally use this gift this week to serve and build up someone in your faith community?
Day 3: Cultivating Safe Spaces for Authentic Faith Encounters
The most lasting faith is born not from rules or expectations but from personal encounters with God in environments of love and safety. Creating such spaces requires humility, patience, and a willingness to meet people where they are, especially young people who are exploring faith for the first time. When children and adults alike experience acceptance and genuine care, they are free to discover God’s presence on their own terms, leading to faith that endures and grows.
Whether at camp or within the church, these safe and loving environments become holy ground where transformation happens. They invite vulnerability and openness, allowing God’s Spirit to work deeply in hearts. Your role in fostering these spaces is crucial—through your words, actions, and attitudes, you can help create a community where everyone feels welcomed and valued. [48:51]
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to making your church or community a safer, more welcoming place for those wrestling with faith or seeking God? What practical step can you take today?
Day 4: Recognizing and Nurturing Signs of Spiritual Growth
Transformation in Christian community often shows itself in small but meaningful ways: children returning home more helpful, joyful, and open about their faith. These changes are evidence that spiritual gifts are awakening and being nurtured. Such growth is not accidental but the fruit of intentional support, encouragement, and ongoing discipleship within the church family.
Your role is to continue fostering these gifts—not only in young people but also in yourself and others—by creating environments where faith can be expressed and deepened. This means celebrating progress, offering guidance, and patiently walking alongside one another in the journey of spiritual formation. The impact of these small changes ripples outward, strengthening the entire body of Christ. [53:54]
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2)
Reflection: Who in your life is showing signs of spiritual growth that you can encourage today? How might you intentionally support their journey in faith this week?
Day 5: Moving from Passive Support to Active Faith Engagement
Faith in action calls for more than passive encouragement; it requires active participation in bringing others into transformative experiences. Whether inviting a child to camp, sharing your own story of faith, or praying fervently for ministries, your engagement extends God’s love beyond the church walls. This proactive stance embodies the heart of the gospel—seeking and welcoming others into life-changing encounters with Christ.
Every effort to connect someone with these experiences is an investment in their spiritual growth and the future of the church. It challenges you to move beyond comfort zones and take tangible steps to support and expand the reach of God’s kingdom. Your faith becomes a living testimony when it moves outward in love and action. [56:21]
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Reflection: Who is God prompting you to invite or support in a transformative faith experience this week? What concrete action can you take today to respond to that prompting?
Quotes
``Kids can have fun at lots of places. Camp creates character. Camp creates opportunities. Pecometh is holy ground. I always say to those who are coming to Pecometh, okay, if you're seeking a God experience, it will find you. If you're not seeking a God experience, it will find you there at that place. It is a thin place there at Pecometh. And when we think about the kids and the experience there, we take away the phones for the week. That's sometimes harder for the parents than it is for the kids. You know, in a society where it's, hey, we need 24 -7 access to everything, it is good to unplug and plug into the right things sometimes. [00:46:56] (53 seconds)
People often ask, like, Augie, what's the most important thing that happens at camp? Like, what's your number one priority? My number one priority is safety. Physical, emotional, spiritual. If we don't hit that in the hierarchy of needs, we can't accomplish anything else, okay? From there, we go to fun, okay? So once that base level's in, we go to fun. And we're creating an environment where we take the next step. Where we invite, we're not forcing anything on anybody. Invite for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. [00:48:25] (40 seconds)
And I go back to my own upbringing, you know? I was dragged out of bed every Sunday morning. We're going to church. But it wasn't until I came to Pecometh and had that personal relationship, that personal experience. It wasn't forced on me. It just flowed naturally. Studies show that it... It... It... It... It... Religion sticks, Christianity sticks when it's a personal relationship, not when it's forced on you. So we have to create an environment for young people, for all people to have that relationship. [00:48:59] (40 seconds)
Sometimes I consider that patterns in the world. And when we look at the patterns of the world, what's important to the world? YouTube influencers, right? TikTok stars. You know, it's more important to be famous than anything else. Okay? And God doesn't want us to conform to this world, to this age. He wants more for us. He tells us we need to be transformed to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. Okay? That's the best version of ourselves. Okay? [00:49:56] (37 seconds)
This is true worship. This is the best version of ourselves. This is us using the spiritual gifts that God has granted us. Okay? He's given them to us. It's up to us to use them. Okay? Mike spoke so awesomely about all the spiritual gifts that are on display as we come into the church. The people that are walking us, showing us where to sit, leading us in ASL. Thanks, Andy. The choir, the praise band, the audiovisual. All these awesome spiritual gifts that make this body of Christ work. [00:51:21] (46 seconds)
For the last two years, we've been really consistent with this finding. 49 % of the parents say when their kid comes home from camp, they're nicer. They're more helpful. It's true. It's true. So the helpers, that's a spiritual gift. Be... a helper, okay? Being nicer, being cheerful is a spiritual gift, bringing that joy. 39 % say that their child is more interested in talking about their faith, okay? Prophesizing, speaking, spreading the word of Jesus. [00:53:50] (37 seconds)
That's where this place, that's where the church is so important, where their spiritual gifts can be further developed, where they can be nurtured, and they can be grown. Camp is a place where a child goes to be themselves, and they come away with so much more, okay? Recognizing and having those spiritual gifts. One last quick story. I have a pastor friend in the Salisbury area who does counseling with kids, one -on -one counseling and tutoring, and they were talking about this very idea of being yourself, and, you know, being your true self and opening up to others, and the girl that she was tutoring was like, you have to be careful because sometimes what you share can be held against you, you know? [00:55:22] (51 seconds)
We will never turn a child away for financial reasons. We partner with some churches and agencies for a program called the Ralph Spain Program. Ralph was kind of a legend in the Milford area at Avenue. He did after -school tutoring, and he spoke with the camp director at the time, Reverend Jack Shatama. This is over 20 years ago. We really need to get kids to camp. And what they decided is, if the church can find kids, make sure they have transportation. That's a big one. And make sure they have what they need at camp. [00:57:51] (38 seconds)
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