Two buses pull up in front a first class facility at Redemption Ministries Conference, full of children from the inner city of Petersburg, VA. They are hardened by violence, drugs and the horrible clutches of poverty they face each week.  Impact is a ministry of CrossRoads that brings these precious little ones out of that for two hours to ‘impact’ their lives with a new destiny. Free Camp came to take the impact one step further – to isolate these children from the violence, drugs, and poverty for four days and three nights.

There was a large “army” of missionaries from First Church in Goldsboro, NC, a few soldiers from Christian Heritage Church of Amarillo, TX and a host of valiant warriors from CrossRoads church in Petersburg. We watched as God supernaturally moved in the hearts of these young special children to bring them hope. Here are their stories. 

Gary was a ten year-old deaf child who had never been asked about his relationship with God.  When Carolyn Burd, the camp director, learned there was a deaf child in the crowd, she backed up from the microphone and began to sign her directions as she led the camp.  This is the economy of our God – he brought a lady 1600 miles one way to reach one special child.  During the camp, Gary understood the Gospel for the first time and received Jesus as his savior and Lord.  On the last night, he took the microphone and “sang” for the first time from a heart filled with love by Jesus.  Tears ran down the cheeks of the adults all over the tent.

A new destiny was unveiled for an eleven year-old boy who had been identified as the next “Drug Lord” of his neighborhood.  The first night Pastor Amber in the message challenged children to lay something down that was controlling them. He wrote on his paper to stop fighting. He did well until the last night but when confronted he broke and wept, realizing he had failed and asking for forgiveness. The staff of Impact assured him of God’s grace and felt this was a miracle!

An entire group of children discovered a new destiny when Matt, a Free Camp volunteer, led each one of them to a commitment to Christ.  Matt is employed by Habitat for Humanity but stated that he received so much from this mission trip – touching the children directly.

A new destiny for Free Camp in Petersburg was secured when Camp Director, Carolyn Burd, passed the mantle to Pastor Kevin McBride the last afternoon. He led the camp as if he had been doing this type of thing all his life.

Pastor Bob Parada summed it up when he stated that working with these children for two hours a week is good but isolating them from the horror of their environment for this camp made the difference. Now they can nurture these tender hearts each week.

Free Camp wants to thank CEM for sending the IPHC’s National Children Pastor, Elaine Wood, to the camp. Elaine was a major contributor to the success of this camp.

Thanks to CrossRoads for taking the risk and the step of faith to bring these precious little ones to this camp. They carried the weight of the burden and met the challenge.

Redemption Ministries and their staff went above and beyond making us feel welcomed – thanks.  

Finally, thanks to the young people who gave in the Global Quest offering that assisted in this great effort.   You all had a part in this year’s Free Camp!