The Forever His program has been the best outreach event that I have ever been involved with in the church. Many seeds have been planted and lives changed with a group who are often forgotten and unseen in our communities.

So what positive results did we have at our congregation and why do I want your congregation to have this experience too?

1)  We provided a day camp experience for children who are frequently left out of typical camps, Vacation Bible Schools, holiday parties and Bible classes. We have had families drive as far as 5 hours away and families from 5 states who have come to participate in our program. Overwhelming gratitude has been expressed to me and to our church family from parents who have been told repeatedly that they weren’t welcome in other congregations and events. I saw comments on social media by parents who learned about our camp from other parents who had children in attendance expressing how unwelcoming their current religious group had been to their children and what a blessing the Karns congregation was to children who have a disability.

2) We made contact with families who do not have a church home and with those who are not Christians.  All of our events are free of charge and welcoming to all in the community.  Since starting this program, we have had Christians, new to the area, place membership with us because of our camps. They learned that we would love and welcome their child through our efforts at Forever His camp. We have had non-Christian families who have attended worship services and other church events.  We not only showed love for their children, but it opened doors to build relationships and talk to them about Christ.

3) Perhaps the reason that might be least expected is how a program like this will change your members. Many Christians do not come in contact with children with disabilities and their parents on a regular basis. They do not know the struggles of these families. They do not get to experience and learn the lessons that these children will teach them in joy, compassion and gratitude. As I’ve often said, these children are some of the greatest teachers that we can have in our lives showing us Christ-likeness.

As we now make preparations for our next Forever His camp, I can’t wait to see those sweet faces again.  Seeing their smile and seeing the joy in the faces of your members who volunteer are the closest thing on this earth to seeing the face of Jesus!