Senior Camp 2025
There’s nothing quite like a week of Senior Camp. Camp returned to the Faith Mission Centre, Portadown, from 7-11 July for a non-stop week of teaching, fellowship and activities…with probably a little less sleep than required! It was a year for the first timers: of our 28 campers, over half were attending for the first time; and as for our leadership team – well, almost all of us were brand new to EP Senior Camp too! What a joy it was to see how the campers, leaders, cooks and bus drivers got on together, with no one left out.
Rev Nathan Hawthorne (Ballyclare RPCI) led the morning meetings examining the feelings we often struggle with, including anxiety, guilt, and assurance. Our evening meetings were led by a variety of speakers on influences in our lives. All the teaching led to lively, in-depth discussions, during which our campers were willing to share their own experiences and encourage both one another and their leaders. It was a privilege to see the Holy Spirit at work in hearts leading to real spiritual growth. Times of corporate worship, prayer, and testimony-sharing were truly heart-warming.
The Faith Mission Centre has brilliant facilities, and combined with the glorious weather, we were able to make the most of activities on- and off-site. From Messy Games to minigolf, from The Lake (Kilrea) to the sea (Murlough Beach), and from hunting dinosaurs and bushes in Armagh to rollerskating, competitive sports and an outdoor ceilidh, there were plenty of opportunities for hilarity and fun. God kept us safe and injury free, despite the mayhem and many miles driven, and it was great to see the campers enjoying themselves so thoroughly.
We’re so grateful to the whole camp team, our cooks and bus drivers, and all our speakers and guests for helping make Senior Camp 2025 so memorable. We also want to thank everyone who so faithfully supported us in prayer; know that we saw those prayers answered every day in big and small ways. As we were reminded each day in our memory verse, God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love, and he is faithful in pouring out blessing as we serve him. To him be the glory!
Our campers came with all their enthusiasm and joy, and a real desire to get stuck into the Word and the week, so it has been a pleasure to hear that they enjoyed it as much as we did! There’s really nothing quite like Senior Camp, and we can’t wait to see you all again at Reunion…watch this space!
Psalm 103:8-11
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.
Helen & Samuel Jackson (Knock EPC)
