In September, junior high and high school students from all corners of the Oregon Conference made their way to Antelope, Oregon, in a return to the beloved annual youth event – Bible Camp. This year, both long weekends centered around the theme “Made for More.” Ephesians 2:10 tells us that, “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Youth attending Bible Camp this year found themselves entering into an interactive space of fun, face-to-face connection and, most importantly, powerful spiritual growth. The event is a unique opportunity to separate from mobile devices and rediscover meaningful relationships with others and with God. One way of doing this was through dozens of peer-led life groups. Jana Lee, who serves as one of Oregon Conference’s directors for Church Ministries, shared, “Life groups happened each night after the meetings and they were huge! Student leaders were identified by our schools and two were recommended to lead each life group, and they would do a time of application and some hands-on experiences as well as discussions together.” In designing each group, leaders attempted to connect students from a variety of areas and schools to encourage new friendships, more openness, and more authenticity.

Another prominent feature of the weekend was the prayer wall. “The prayer wall was this huge wall that the students could add to every night,” shared Lee. There was paper with invisible ink where students could share their insecurities with God, mirrors that reflected statements about themselves and other interactable pieces where groups and students could reflect on their spiritual journeys. “As a leadership team we’ve been evaluating what has connected really well with the students in the past, and we’ve tried to really lean into those things,” said Jana.

Feedback from the students has been incredibly positive. “This was my favorite event of the year,” shared Remy Lundquist. “The speaker was awesome and our school loved the worship band. There were so many activities that let you connect with students from different schools. I left feeling closer to God and with more friends.” Other students shared sentiments such as, “I was able to express myself in ways I never have before,” “It felt easier to worship at Bible Camp,” “Normal friend group barriers were broken down,” and “Before I came to Bible Camp I wasn’t big on God, but after being there, I feel like I am.”

Perhaps the most powerful sign of Bible Camp’s impact is in the growing prominence of young returning leaders. Danny Ramos, who returned as worship staff for the second time this year, grew up going to Washington Family Ranch for Hispanic Ministries Youth Retreats and with his school for Bible Camp. “I want to say I’ve been here ten times, if not more,” he said. “When I started working with Pastor Jason Calvert it was just evident that he wanted this to be something that would create a catalyst for students – to be something that they would look back on and say, ‘That was a moment where my life changed with Jesus.’ I see how it impacted the school body around me when I went, and that adds so much to being part of connecting students with Christ here now… It’s a place where I think I can just be really honest and vulnerable, where I’m free to worship God and express my praise. I think Bible Camp gives us a foreshadowing of what heaven and the New Earth will look like, you know?”