Why Christian Camping?
Perhaps you attended camp as kid? Do you recall the impact those days had on your life and development?
As an organization, we see camp as an effective tool. In North America (USA, Canada), physical camp sites abound and are the primary model for Christian Camping. In Latin America, camp is culturally and more commonly associations and groups of people who bond together in passion and love for this ministry.
Camp provides a temporary, safe environment; outside of the pressures, influences and noise that the world assails us with. We believe that in that quiet space, individuals are more open to God's voice whispering in their hearts. There are two important sides to the ministry:
The Leaders: Our goal is to form young people as leaders, individuals, eventual husbands/wives and fathers/mothers. The ministry of Christian Camping provides that opportunity, to shape the next generation of leaders in North America and Latin America. These leaders in turn, invest in the lives of the children through Christian Camping.
The Children: We believe that especially in Latin America, there is a distinct lack of mediums to communicate values, morals and positive decision making in the face of societal pressures. Children just don't have many options for hearing this message, let alone a way to consistently receive God's word. Christian Camping is an acceptable environment of fun and recreation, a tool, where this message can be communicated effectively and clearly. Our leaders are the ones who interact with the children and invest in their lives. They need to be men and women of integrity, conviction and faith, in order to effectively communicate with and influence the lives of the children.
As an organization, we see camp as an effective tool. In North America (USA, Canada), physical camp sites abound and are the primary model for Christian Camping. In Latin America, camp is culturally and more commonly associations and groups of people who bond together in passion and love for this ministry.
Camp provides a temporary, safe environment; outside of the pressures, influences and noise that the world assails us with. We believe that in that quiet space, individuals are more open to God's voice whispering in their hearts. There are two important sides to the ministry:
- The leaders who communicate a message of hope.
- The children or adolescents that receive this life-changing message.
The Leaders: Our goal is to form young people as leaders, individuals, eventual husbands/wives and fathers/mothers. The ministry of Christian Camping provides that opportunity, to shape the next generation of leaders in North America and Latin America. These leaders in turn, invest in the lives of the children through Christian Camping.
The Children: We believe that especially in Latin America, there is a distinct lack of mediums to communicate values, morals and positive decision making in the face of societal pressures. Children just don't have many options for hearing this message, let alone a way to consistently receive God's word. Christian Camping is an acceptable environment of fun and recreation, a tool, where this message can be communicated effectively and clearly. Our leaders are the ones who interact with the children and invest in their lives. They need to be men and women of integrity, conviction and faith, in order to effectively communicate with and influence the lives of the children.
The 4 - 14 Window in Christian Camping and Adolescent Ministries
What is the 4 - 14 window and why is it so important to Christian Camping ministry? The 4 - 14 Window refers to the belief that children between the ages of 4 - 14 develop all of their moral, spiritual and foundational beliefs between these ages. Church researcher and well-known author George Barna published a book in 2003 entitled - "Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions", and in this book he presented the results of a study focusing on faith decisions in the United States. The results of this study are staggering and from this come the concepts of the 4 - 14 window. Barna states:
"The probability of someone embracing Jesus as his or her Saviour was 32 percent for those between the ages of 5 and 12; 4 percent for those in the 13 -18 range; and 6 percent for people 19 or older. In other words, if people do not embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior before they reach their teenage years, the chance of their doing so at all is slim."
It is clear that the importance of forming morals, beliefs and spiritual foundation in a person's life during this window from age 4 - 14. Christian Camping is a tool and ideal model for shaping people in the most formative phase of life. Gracia Missions is committed to using the tools we have to affect children and help form their lives in the 4 -14 window.
For more information related to the 4 - 14 window, theory and research, please refer to the articles below:
Article #1 - Christianity Today (7/1/2004)
Article #2 - compassion.com (Article by Dr. Dan Brewster)
What is the 4 - 14 window and why is it so important to Christian Camping ministry? The 4 - 14 Window refers to the belief that children between the ages of 4 - 14 develop all of their moral, spiritual and foundational beliefs between these ages. Church researcher and well-known author George Barna published a book in 2003 entitled - "Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions", and in this book he presented the results of a study focusing on faith decisions in the United States. The results of this study are staggering and from this come the concepts of the 4 - 14 window. Barna states:
"The probability of someone embracing Jesus as his or her Saviour was 32 percent for those between the ages of 5 and 12; 4 percent for those in the 13 -18 range; and 6 percent for people 19 or older. In other words, if people do not embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior before they reach their teenage years, the chance of their doing so at all is slim."
It is clear that the importance of forming morals, beliefs and spiritual foundation in a person's life during this window from age 4 - 14. Christian Camping is a tool and ideal model for shaping people in the most formative phase of life. Gracia Missions is committed to using the tools we have to affect children and help form their lives in the 4 -14 window.
For more information related to the 4 - 14 window, theory and research, please refer to the articles below:
Article #1 - Christianity Today (7/1/2004)
Article #2 - compassion.com (Article by Dr. Dan Brewster)