The regular programming at Capilano Christian Assembly (CCA) in Edmonton, AB shuts down a bit over the summer months and the congregation dwindles a little.
But it’s not a cause for concern and no one seems to mind!
In fact, it’s something that Andreas Tabert and Jason Lechelt (pastors) are quite happy about.
For CCA, summer is the season for sending.
A quick calculation says that one quarter of the congregation served at summer camp this past year.
Whether it is cooking in the camp kitchen or leading a cabin full of campers, people find a place to serve.
You can be a dishwasher or the handyman or speaker or the director – there’s something for everyone.
For those at home, they take their role of prayer seriously as they remember and pray for the campers and workers.
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Camp ministry has been part of CCA for decades and valuing camp ministry is part of their DNA.
CCA supports a number of Christian camps throughout Alberta, but the main ones are Meadowlodge Bible Camp (Edmonton), Bethel Bible Camp (Westlock), Crowsnest Bible Camp (Coleman) and Plover Lake Bible Camp (Youngstown).
CCA know the spiritual influence that camp can have on children and teens and for many, it is a time of real spiritual growth and a place where significant decisions take place.
Camp is a place where it’s not weird for children and teens to be a Christian and to talk about spiritual things.
It’s a Christian bubble in all the best ways – an unusual experience compared to the rest of their lives.
That greenhouse effect helps reduce the noise of distraction and focus on what is good and true and beautiful.
Essentially, it’s a time to know God and be immersed in Christian community.
Being involved in camp ministry is just part of the church culture at CCA.
So they don’t mind at all if the summer congregation sometimes looks a bit sparse.
There’s good work being done among the seven camps that they support.
Photo credits: George Pagan III (Unsplash)