Prayer is a powerful thing. If you had checked the weather forecast for the UK mission trip just a few days before the trip, you probably saw frigid temperatures and rainy days expected throughout the week. What else is there to do but pray? Sometimes God answers our prayers with obvious affirmations. Monday in Middlesbrough was sunny and 60 degrees. Near-perfect weather for the first day of Holiday Clubs and Camp of Champions! Praise the Lord!

The ministry teams set out this morning to their various locations to facilitate Holiday Clubs and Camp of Champions. Holiday Clubs are very similar to what Johnson Ferry would call Vacation Bible School. They incorporate games, crafts, songs, skits, and Bible stories. Camp of Champions is essentially a sports camp. Today’s main lesson from JF Students in both settings was an important one we wanted all participating children to learn. It was the first step of “The Four Method,” which is symbolized by a heart, with the message that “God Loves You” (1st John, 3:1a) – God created you, loves you, made you for a purpose, and wants a real relationship with you!

Monday’s Holiday Clubs and Camp of Champions were as few as 5 or 6 at some sites, and as many as 50-60 at others. Each of them was as important as the other. Our students were excellent leaders and clearly enjoyed serving the children and reflecting a genuine love for them. Spiritual seeds were planted that we pray will be harvested soon. Some deep gospel conversations were even had with parents as they dropped off their child or hung around to watch all the excitement.

After dinner, the entire team met in the Hub at Teesside University to have meaningful worship before Logan continued teaching out of Luke 6 – this time using verses 47-49 to focus on the difference between being a “faithful follower” versus a “fickle fan.” It was an effective message that saw two last-minute guests pray to receive Christ and become faithful followers. 

Please continue to pray for our team. Pray that children who attended today’s clubs and camps will return AND bring more friends. Pray for continued good weather (Tuesday’s forecast again looks perfect so far). Pray that as we introduce the concept of sin that separates us from God, we communicate this in a way that connects and does not reject. Pray for our students as they continue to lead in sharing the Gospel with English children and students.

There are some really cool stories that are happening. The sun AND the SON are shining on the UK mission trip!