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It’s hard to believe, but we are almost half way through our summer season! Star Rock Ministries has been hard at work providing camp experiences for kids and families all summer long. In addition to sending 68 campers to Emerald Cove Day Camp and Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp, Star Rock Ministries partnered with UYWI to host a camp for 18 families during the 1st week of July! The idea behind Fuel Family Camp was to provide rest and care for Urban pastors, leaders, and families who have worked tirelessly through the last 18 months. Can I get an AMEN for vacation!? Through old-fashioned fun, lake activities, and meaningful workshops hosted by UWYI, our Fuel Family Camp began to catch the spirit of camp while finding space amidst the alpine trees to breathe deeply again.
Gabriel is a pastor from Trinity Church. He and his family were able to experience rest and fun through Fuel Family Camp. Gabe’s speaking schedule often takes him all over the nation and he mentioned that even as he arrived at camp, it almost felt uncomfortable to relax. By the end of the week, Gabe and his wife were able to experience the full benefits of slowing down and paying attention to what God wanted to show them during this time away:
“We are in the middle of a lot of grief. I lost my mom about 3 months ago and my sister a year before that. I was in a heavy mental space and I was waiting for the Lord to touch me during this week at camp. Last night, during one of the sessions, I was given space to actually process what I’ve been going through. The Lord spoke so clearly and the light turned on. I found joy. No, I didn’t find perfect healing but I found some joy and clarity to face the grief. And to have such quality fun with my family has been so healing for us.”
Dominique, Gabe’s wife
“It was fun to see my kids interact with the incredible staff at YSSC. It’s true what they say—camp is like two years of contact ministry in a week. For me, my kids go to bed early during the week so I only see them a couple hours a day after work. Weekends are full of events, and Sundays are church. During summers I’m traveling for work, so even summers are sparse. So at Fuel camp, I felt like I got to know my kids two years worth in that one week and I essentially had nothing to do with it. I still can’t believe I wasn’t asked to work this week…”
Gabe
On behalf of Star Rock Ministries, Urban Youth Workers Institute, and our partnerships, thank you for making Fuel Family Camp possible. Through your support, we were able to provide a place where people like Gabe and his family could receive rest and care, and experience connection.
Please join us in praying for the youth and leaders who will be attending our last few sessions of camp early August and Star Rock Ministries XLR8 camp August 16 – 21st.
