Baltic Family Camp 2023

God certainly blessed our camp sesson this summer in numerous ways. Over 120 folks–missionaries, Christians, families–all came together in Moletai, Lithuania to enjoy a week together of praise, fellowship, study and encouragement. Countires represented at our camp included Lithuania, USA, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain and even India and Brazil.

Our theme was Redeemed. Each day adults, teens and children had opportunties to study together in classes designed just for them. Each night we gathered to worship together. It was a beautiful representation of God at work through our different cultures to bring us together as one. This was made even more meaningful considering the ever present war in that region that directly affected some of our campers. One sister from Kiev, Ukraine shared heart-wrenching stories about what she has witnessed and the consequences of this conflict for her, the church and families in that country. For her and others, the BFC served as a refuge from that ever-present tension. She is in the middle in the photo below.

One of the purposes of the BFC is to offer missionaries and Christian families the opportunity to enjoy a week of rest and retreat, while also providing them in-depth study and resources to help them navigate their local ministries. This year we were blessed to have Harding University professors, Drs. Tim and Anessa Westbrook as our guest Bible teachers and Mitch Anderson from the Czech Republic who, along with he wife, Monika, offer missonary care through their Caretakers ministry. Each brought to us their giftedness–blessing us through their teaching.

The BFC also brings back several adults who grew up attending youth camps in the area. It is always a sweet reunion. Many of these adults are now parents who bring their children. For instance, I first met Viktorija when she was around 13 yrs. old. She never missed a session of youth camp in Lithuania. This session at the BFC, her son, Adomis, who is now 13 was baptized into Christ! We all rejoiced with her, her family, the camp and the angels in heaven!

Of course, the BFC could not happen without the fantastic team who travel over from the states to teach; to serve; and to make sure everything is in place for those attending. It also could not take place without the support of my home congregation, the Levy Church of Christ or without the good work of my Lithuanian colleage, Ilia Amosov. God has blessed us with an exceptional team.

The above picture is of the five of us who were at the very first youth camp in Lithuania in 1998 including on the left–David Pryor, who along with his wife, Louriella come from Clinton, MS each year. He leads worship and she leads one of our kid’s classes. Also pictured with me from left are Zivile Puodziukaitiene, Viktorija Dapšienė and Vladimir Rancev.

We are already planning for next year, God willing. We are excited to share that Drs. Evertt and Ileene Huffard will return to be our guest Bible teachers. Please join us in praying for God to continue to work through our session this year and for his blessings as we plan for next year.

Here is the team from Levy who worked so hard to make the camp a success.

THREE GOOD REASONS TO COME BACK TO CHURCH

Recently, Cecil May III and I watched a webinar about how to encourage church members who have not yet returned to in-person worship. It seems that this is something most churches have in common now, post-pandemic. Apparently, the long layoff caused by the virus; social distancing and online options has left most churches still missing a fairly significant number of folks from in-person Sunday worship. Of course, online options remain, but ideally—as compelled by the biblical model and teaching—the body works best when it all comes together to worship and praise God. So, thinking about this—here are three good reasons to come back to church.

• It is how we “spur one another on to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Contextually this mutual responsibility is directly connected to being together in worship (10:25). It was vital for the Hebrews in their context and now for us as well or else, like the Hebrews, we could be in danger of slipping back and away from the Lord. 
• It is how we can show “equal concern for each other” (1 Corinthians 12:25). This verse is in the “body analogy” section of Paul’s letter to the splintered Corinthian church. Every member is important, needed and an equal part of God’s church, but the church has to be intentional to realize and demonstrate that. Being together in worship is a wonderful way to accomplish it.
• It is how we demonstrate the joy, harmony and beauty of the Lord. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). What a witness we share to the world when we prioritize being together; join each other in singing praise to God; remembering the sacrifice of Christ in communion; and praying together as one people. Of course, God is worthy of all of our praise—and being his people together offering it is incredible.

We are thankful for those who join us online and desire to stay connected, but we also admit to missing those who have not yet returned. Hope to see you soon!

I love you, church!

• This article first appeared in the Levy Church of Christ bulletin on 7/4/2021