Campers Learn Faith 'Inside Out' at CrossTimbers

Campers attending CrossTimbers Children's Mission Adventure Camp this summer are having a blast playing in and on the water, climbing towers and flying down a zip line on the ropes course, shooting at targets with arrows, .22 caliber bullets or BBs, playing disk golf and using a huge sling shot to launch water balloons at their sponsors sitting on a porcelain "throne" in the middle of a field.

They're also learning that their faith is something that shouldn't be kept bottled up inside them, about missionaries sharing the Gospel in Nepal and how the church planting movement is growing in their home state.

Located on 560 beautiful acres in the Sans Bois Mountains alongside Lake McAlester, CrossTimbers caters to children who have completed grades 3-6. Eight general sessions this summer will be followed by a session for campers with special needs the end of July.

This year's theme is "Inside Out," based on Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my redeemer." "It stresses how we can be transformed on the inside and it will show up on the outside," Jones pointed out. Each day of camp focuses on a theme word or phrase and an accompanying Scripture verse. Monday is the overall theme. Tuesday is "Truth," John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Wednesday is "Listen," Proverbs 8:33, "Listen to My instruction and be wise; do not ignore it." Thursday is "Action," Proverbs 20:11, "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right." Friday is "I am able," Philippians 4:14, "I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength."

During week one, 21 campers made a profession of faith, while five more received an assurance of Salvation and eight made a rededication. There were two other decisions for a total of 36.

Missions is taught at three venues, the craft cabin, Pennington Lodge and on a missions hike. "The missions hike winds up in Nepal, where we have a school building set up," Jones said. "We teach a few words of the language of Nepal there." Jones teaches about the art of making Chai tea in the craft cabin and helps campers make their own ceramic Chai tea cup. The campers paint the cups, which are then taken outside and fired in a kiln for about 20 minutes under Jones' supervision.Campers also contribute to an offering taken each week for missions. They have the option of giving either to help buy Bibles in Spanish or purchase "Life Straws," which are personal portable and highly effective point-of-use water purifiers for people lacking access to clean and safe drinking water in developing countries.

"Finally, the Cooperative Program provides all of our staffers and the supplies we need to have a great camp, so we can't say enough thank yous for those who give to the CP," Mark Jones concluded.