It was a special time of ministry at Mill Valley Ranch’s final Roundup camp this summer – 12 young people surrendered their hearts to God as they heard the teaching of the Word and spent time seeking Him. Fiona Simcoe from Baptist Camping Victoria shares her reflections on these exciting events and her summer of camping ministry.

Summer camp is likened to the biblical feast and the festivals; time to step away from the ordinary, to focus and worship the Lord. Going to the “high places” of camp becomes a restorative and refreshing part of an individual’s, family’s, and/or community’s spiritual journey. This picture is compelling as I reflect on the impact of the rhythm of camp within church health, and ministry of the gospel. Many of the Family campers that return annually to Camp Wilkin and Burnside camp have been coming for over seven years. As campers settled, walked more slowly and gazed at creation as they shared a meal, the hunger of soul and spirit were met. Time to “be and not just do” is essential to the recreation process the Lord calls us to. Worship under the canopy of tree and sky among the birdsong brings joy annually to the soul. This year had been no exception.

Family camp gave way to three consecutive weeks of youth ministry through Roundups and the Frontier, a youth leadership development program for emerging leaders at Mill Valley Ranch. Fifteen 15-year-olds volunteered and underwent leadership training at a new Frontier. They were incredibly engaged and passionate about the ministry of the Lord at MVR. Nick Smith (MVR site manager) and Josh Duncan worked through the skills and characteristics of godly leadership, with service to Jesus at the very core. Nick said he saw significant growth in each one of the new leaders, or “Vollies”, as they reflected, asked questions and dove into ministry. After a week of training, the Frontier team joined existing Vollies to be Leaders in Training. The growth in the young leaders was phenomenal.

The summer of camping ministry at Mill Valley concluded with Roundup 734. By all accounts this was something special. Prior to camp, speaker Ben Taylor and the volunteers were challenged to stand in faith believing that every rancher would meet with Jesus and that not one would leave unchanged. He sensed a “building” throughout camp – each day campers were more engaged and hungrier for the Lord. Wednesday night worship was so amazing that due to popular demand, Thursday’s activity was abandoned and a second worship night unfolded. Twelve young people surrendered their hearts to the Lord.

Ben’s reflections included, “I have never been a part of something like this before. It was awesome. With eager expectation ranchers came to chapel each day, so ready to listen, hungry for more.” Ben cautioned them not to respond if they weren’t ready to give their all to Jesus, yet such was the conviction of the Lord every single camper responded. “Young guys were yelling, worshipping with all their hearts.” Charlie Barnette, a boys’ cabin leader, commented on the change of atmosphere: “Things had shifted and moved”. It is fair to say there is revival on the horizon, the Lord is doing a new thing!