There are many great things about living in Northwest Arkansas, but the annual shareholders’ meeting isn’t necessarily one of them. We love being the hometown of Walmart’s home offices, but this time of year can be a bit problematic. The roadways get crowded, and our stores are fuller because of the passionate Walmartians who come to our communities to celebrate their connection to Walmart. Local Walmart stores have things in order and souvenirs for these folks to purchase. It is a crazy time, but one we have come to expect. These people come from all across the country and the world to celebrate Walmart. They are excited to see the home offices and spot celebrities the company brings in. The people of Walmart are excited about the event.
All this excitement and activity got me thinking. Do we look forward to gathering with other believers with the same energy and passion? I believe there is a desire among our students for this kind of community. The weekly gathering of your congregation is a major part of the equation, but I believe there is more. This is why conferences like SOAR and church camps still have a place in student ministry. You might think you don’t have time or that they aren’t important enough to invest time and energy in. That is wrong thinking. Our students need to see the larger community of believers because it can encourage and instruct them. What are some of those things?
• Camps and conferences show our students that they are not alone in their beliefs. When the world is shouting at our students through all types of media, they can feel their beliefs are wrong and that no one shares their views. A gathering of hundreds or even thousands of teenagers helps our students see that they are not alone. They are part of a larger community of faith. We believe in Jesus as the only way to access God the Father. We believe that we can have a relationship only because of grace through faith, not by works (Eph. 2:8-9). We hold stated beliefs about sexuality, family, and morality. When we gather in the summer or other times of the year with 1 or 20 other churches, our students catch a glimpse of the power of unified belief.
• Camps and conferences offer opportunities to build relationships with other believers. Now, I’m not talking about turning SOAR into a dating service, but rather about creating opportunities to meet others with a similar theological background. I remember meeting people at the Encounter conference way back in the day and then going to Central Baptist College with some of those same people. It was great to build friendships at those types of events. When our students go to band camp, choir camp, or other summer programs, they make friends. Why not help them make friends who share the same theological starting point?
• Camps and conferences can help students see how God is working in more places than just their own congregation. Students will hopefully see God working in hearts and lives at the event they attend, but it doesn’t stop there. Many of our camps and conferences feature missionaries and other ministries seeking to make an impact in our world. Sometimes we become very insular in our understanding of how God works in our world and think that if He isn’t working in our church, He isn’t working anywhere. Those of us with a few years on us know that isn’t what is happening, but a student with limited experience can have a limited view. The SOAR conference encourages students to participate in summer mission trips and shares Lifeword’s vision, our missionary media arm. God is so much bigger than just our local congregation.
• Camps and conferences can provide a moment for students. Sometimes our students need markers in their lives, times when God speaks to them and they make a decision in response. Conferences and camps can be those moments for our students. They help our students step away from the mundane and monotonous aspects of their lives and focus on what God may have for them. You may have a student ready for salvation. You may have a student ready to surrender their life to ministry. You may have a student who simply needs time away from a harsh situation so they can quiet the noise and hear from God.
While your community may not be invaded by Wal-Martians annually, your town has students seeking community. You will find them gathered at concerts and other venues. They may inconvenience you, but understand they are only looking for community. Show them that at the local level through your student ministry and your church. Love on them and invite them in. Then take your students to camps and conferences. Get excited and recognize the great value of these trips and times away.
Join the conversation at Facebook.com/groups/StudentMinistryMattersCommunity and share your favorite camp or conference with us.
