In 2014, with the help of a grant from the Young Clergy Initiative, Camp Loucon in Kentucky pioneered a new series of youth leadership camp programs.
Loucon's Director, Warren Hopper, explains The Pursuit programs in a short video:
Responses from The Pursuit campers vividly express the impact of their experience:
Did you experience (whether prior to, or during your Pursuit Camp) a call to ministry?
If yes, do you have a better understanding of how to respond to that call since attending a Pursuit Camp?
Do you have a deeper understanding of the Christian faith after attending a Pursuit Camp?
Do you feel more equipped to share the gospel in a scriptural way after attending a Pursuit Camp?
… a resounding “Yes!”
Tell us about your experience as part of The Pursuit and share with us some of what you learned.
“I experienced God in ways that I never have before.”
“I learned that it's okay to not be a perfect leader; God will get you through any task when you ask.”
“Pursuit Camp helped me acknowledge a calling that I had previously been ignoring, and has helped me open up to others, and be more willing to talk about my walk with Christ.”
“Through the love of others and the love of God I discovered my passion for helping others, and how great it is to glorify Christ in every moment of the day.”
How have you, or how do you plan to apply what you learned during your Pursuit Camp?
“Since camp, I have taken on a leadership role in my youth group, and I work with the younger kids in an attempt to let their voices be heard.”
“I have accepted the position of secretary on my local soil conservation board and have invested myself more in starting a devotional group at school that meets every morning before school starts. I have also become a servant leader in my church youth group.”
“The one thing I want to do in life is to spread the word of God & the feeling of camp to other eager youth.”
Explain what you think it looks like for a person to work "in ministry.”
“They put others above themselves and learn to live for God, even if that means giving up everything to follow Him. They don't necessarily have to be a missionary or minister, they can be a normal person. Ministry is sharing the gospel, no matter what position you are in.”
“Anyone can work in ministry simply by witnessing the unconditional love of Christ. By simply living your life through Christ you are in ministry.”
The Pursuit camps are accepting registrations for their second summer season at Loucon. Praise God for the lives already transformed, and for all those whom God will reach through this new generation of ministry leaders.