Why Work at Camp?

We just finished a week of our Summer Ministry Conference where camps and other summer ministries came to recruit students to help their ministries. At Bob Jones University, we emphasize students getting involved in some type of ministry with at least one of their summers - whether missions trips, camps, or other opportunities.

We encourage each student to pray about spending summer 2017 for ministry.

But you don't just need to hear that from us. Your fellow students are excited about what God has done through their summers of ministry. Here's a few quotes from BJU students - current and former - who've worked at a camp:

Why work at camp?

"Because it puts you in a place to take in God's Word everyday and give it back out everyday. Because it is naturally challenging - it breaks you to rely on God and crave to know Him more." -Alexis Shoemaker, Camp Kanesatake

"It helps us to look past ourselves, taking us to a new understanding of the need that is around. It's so good to get out of our own comfort zone to serve the Lord in new ways. It's a very humbling experience!" -Charlotte Matthews, WILDS

"Luke 2:52 teaches us that Christ grew physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. I have found that a summer at camp stretched me in all those areas. I was pushed physically to give out and give out for others even when I was exhausted. I learned so much through a well-prepared staff training program, special services for the staff, and sitting with the campers under strong preaching week after week. I grew socially as I was challenged to interact with teens and juniors that I wouldn't normally have befriended and as I was put on a team that I needed to work with, full of different people, again some of whom I wouldn't have chosen to hang out with at college. Most importantly, God did things in my life all three summers I worked at camp. He taught humility, dependence, faithfulness, surrender, and devotion to him in a more highly concentrated time than any other I can remember. While you certainly don't need to work at a camp to be an effective Christian, I am so thankful that I counseled three summers because the person I am today is shaped in so many ways by my time at camp!" -Ben Hicks, WILDS

We've also put together a short video highlighting the benefits they've received. Check it out below!