Leadership Camp Takeaway

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Psalms 115:1 NIV

Carrie Wehrman // 2022 Summer Intern

One of the biggest takeaways I had from Leadership Camp was the humbling reminder that I’m not here for my own glory, but rather for the glory of God. This also goes hand-in-hand with the reminder that it is Christ in me that is working and living, not myself. Time and time again, the speakers at camp mentioned dying to self. A few notes from my notebook throughout the week include:

NOT ME BUT CHRIST

Let’s put God on the throne!

CHRIST BE MAGNIFIED

I not only took these notes in my notebook, but I saw them play out right in front of me throughout the week in many ways. Here are three short stories that are examples of this:

First, I had the opportunity to recite Ephesians 2 from memory in front of everyone at camp to start off one of the assemblies. I had practiced flawlessly many times before, but about halfway through my presentation, my mind went blank and I paused for about 30 seconds. This was a great reminder to me that my presentation of God’s Word was not to show off and glorify myself, but to share the message of the truth of the gospel and God’s Good News to all – Jews and Gentiles.

Another instance in which I was reminded that it's all for God's glory, and He is the one working, not me, was in my huddle. Throughout camp I was able to have a few conversations with one of my hudlets who had not yet accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior, and she still hadn't made that decision by the end of camp. By the world’s standards and by the standards I would probably put on myself, I had failed as a huddle leader – I couldn’t change her mind! Despite my best efforts to love her and clearly present the gospel to her, I myself could not change her. God had to do a work in her heart, and she had to make the choice to turn to Him. This experience reminded me that God is the one who does the work and it’s not about me “saving” people – because God is the One who does that. Additionally, praise God that it’s not up to me to save people! I would continually fall short. I do not have the power to change hearts. But I can rejoice in serving a God who does have the power to change hearts!

Then, in the final Doing Sports God’s Way workout practice session, there was an outstanding picture of grace for us to see. In the demonstration, there was a standard of perfection (hitting the crossbar on the frame of the soccer goal), and if it wasn’t met, then all the athletes had a punishment (30 second 5-yard side shuffles). An athlete was selected for the task, and everyone agreed that he was the best soccer player in attendance at the camp – our best shot at perfection. But attempt after attempt, he kept missing. The athletes were punished with side shuffles.

Then, a coach, starting in the north end zone of the football field, began to take the punishment for all the athletes. He moved down the entire field, completing the side shuffles as all the athletes watched and rested. As he passed by, the athletes sat down. After he had shuffled for each 5-yard interval down the entire length of the field, he began walking back towards the north end zone. As he walked, the athletes stood up and followed him. It was a breathtaking picture of how Jesus paid the price and took our punishment for sin upon himself, just as this coach took the punishment for missing the crossbar. As he walked back to the end zone, with athletes in a mass behind him, it also served as a picture of Jesus as our King, our Leader, and all of us following Him. This was incredible to be reminded that Jesus was the one who paid the price for my sin, and I am completely undeserving of the grace I have received and the life I have with and through Him. I have missed the mark, I have fallen short of the perfect standard God has – but Jesus didn’t. He is most worthy of praise, and he humbled himself to take the wrath of God on behalf of me and you. It is nothing I do to earn salvation, but only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory!