Wearing Shorts and a T-Shirt to Work
It’s not often that I do that—except when I work with the Yardbirds on a Friday morning doing yardwork at the church. But I’m wearing them today as I travel an hour and a half west to spend time with our youth at Conference Camp on Lake Bridgeport—the Mount Horeb for thousands of children, youth, and adults who have met God there over the decades. It is one of the great joys of my calling as a pastor.
During my time there today, I’ll hear stories from the youth about small group study and conversation, time in the pool and on the sand volleyball court, perhaps some shaving cream fights, late nights and tired days (especially toward the end of the week), camp food, silliness, singing—all told with lots of smiles and laughter.
For Courtney White, Matthew Hopson, Riley Hilton, Griffin Shoemaker, and Sarah Bush Henson—our FUMC Plano counselors there with some 150-200 youth—it is work, to be sure. But it is work made lighter by the knowledge that God is at work in all of it.
The leadership team has come together in a spirit of unity, purpose, and joy.
Griffin Shoemaker, our Modern Worship Leader, is not only leading music but also preaching his first sermon at Vesper Point.
Youth have been encountering the depth of God’s love as they sit on benches at sunset, staring at the cross on that same point.
Jaeson Antley, one of our youth, signed up for camp the day before it began—right after returning from South Korea with his family.
New friendships are forming as our youth connect with others from different churches, already making plans to reunite NEXT year at Bridgeport.
Inspired by the Spirit, our youth are reaching out and inviting others to experience what God is doing at camp.
All of these are just some of the energized evidence of God “passing by” at Bridgeport Camp and working wonders in their midst.
So I put on my shorts and t-shirt to go to work today—to see what all God has been doing in these young people’s lives. Hallelujah! Amen.
Connecting God and Grace to Self and Community,
