God Bless Our Children

On a beautiful, warm evening, as the summer sun was setting over John Knox Ranch Camp and Retreat Center, I sat on a rugged, steady bench outside the dining hall. 

I was waiting to bless and commission the new camp counselors. I was an hour and a half early, which tells you the premium I placed on this role of blessing and commissioning these young people.

I had come at the invitation of Henry Owen, the Executive Director of the camp and retreat center.

Bobby, Beth, and Henry

As many of you know, Henry has grown up going to camp at John Knox Ranch. 

Having been raised, nurtured and shaped by the love of God through Presbyterians who have made camp ministry important, Henry is now the custodian of that love being passed forward to younger generations.

Earlier, a junior camp counselor had greeted me by name, which surprised me because I did not recognize her. It turned out she had seen me at some Presbytery meeting. 

Her grandpa is an honorably retired pastor, still serving one of Mission Presbytery’s congregations as Parish Associate. 

It was truly heartening to hear stories of multiple generations of faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in our midst.

While sitting on the bench, I noticed several camp counselors appearing after swimming at the Guadalupe river. 

Another young lady stopped to greet me. She was not Presbyterian, and this was her first time as a camp counselor. She had come at the invitation of her friend. 

Several other people who talked to me made me realize that we do not just serve Presbyterians at JKR. Henry had mentioned this before, but it was different to hear it from actual young people telling their own stories.

A young man told me how he wants to become a pastor. He was kind, outgoing, and a Baptist. Others said they were nondenominational. There were plenty of Presbyterians as well. It was wonderful to see this ecumenical gathering of young people with a mission to serve God through their commitment of their time and talents.

The youthful energy I’d experienced when the young people came over for dinner was simply refreshing and energizing. 

It was a living reminder of the church’s investment in the Christian formation of our youth.

Washing dishes with Daniel was fun

After dinner, and after washing dishes, Henry invited me to the stage to address the counselors, to pray for them, and commission them for service. 

I did so, sharing with them Mission Presbytery’s gratitude to God for their willingness to serve in camp ministry throughout this summer.

The church of Jesus Christ can never take for granted the lives of young people. 

Young people are bombarded with powerful messages competing for their attention, time, energy, and their money.

JKR is like an oasis in the wilderness set apart to allow them, as well as all of us, to unplug, reflect, and pray, as they prepare to go back into the world to share the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mission Presbytery’s commitment to fulfilling our baptismal vows to nurture our children to understand God’s love is fulfilled in many ways. 

We are blessed to have JKR, which plays a significant role in helping us fulfill our baptismal vows.

At the June Presbytery meeting, you will get an opportunity to listen to Henry, as he presents the master plan for John Knox Ranch’s future. It is a bright future. 

We are excited to participate in God’s mission of healing and restoring the world in many ways.

Our partnership with John Knox Ranch Camp and Retreat Center is not a simple convenience, it is our joyful fulfillment of our baptismal vows. 

Thank you, Mission Presbytery, for your continued support for this ministry. It touches lives, especially young lives in their formative stages.

A bumper sticker on one of the counselors' cars

We are making a difference in young people’s lives, and for that we are grateful to you, our beloved folks in all the congregations of Mission Presbytery!

To God be the glory!