One old preacher said, “Sometimes you need to come apart for a while before you just come apart.”  It has been my experience that five days out camping in creation with friends and Gods word brings more sanctification than fifty weeks of sermons.  Though out history Christians have understood the power of the retreat or pilgrimage. Time immersed in God’s creation and in His word has been a powerful means of spiritual growth.  It is this understanding that motivates us to provide a camping ministry for children youth and adults.  It’s amazing that this approach is also powerful across the world in every culture. The power of the combined witness of creation and the word of God changes lives.

This week we will hear in the preaching time Brazilian Christians telling how taking people out in nature through camping ministry is changing hearts across brazil and now into Africa. Our special guests, Dinho and Ginny Pereira, will be coming to speak about their ministry. Dinho and Ginny have been at Victoria Ministries (a camping ministry) since 1997. Dinho serves today as President of the Board of Directors and is head of the training department and gives seminars around Brazil on Camp Ministry.  This couple and their family have invested in bringing people to faith and growing people in faith through getting people away in creation to hear from God.

This approach is rooted in the gospel.

Mar 1:35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

Luk 5:16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

This Sunday we will explore the power of sharing the Gospel through community and time in God’s creation.  Some things are true in every place and every culture. We often forget that Christianity is not a nationality, country or race. What God is doing around the world is greater and more exciting that you can imagine. Most your brothers and sisters in Christ reside outside of the U.S. They do not depend on, wealth or political power or technology to spread the Gospel. In most cases, they have neither. They do reach people by using the timeless ways of God. Time together around Gods word and the witness of the natural world.Jesus made time to be in the wilderness for prayer and protection. I believe Dinho and Ginny can show us how God still uses this way to do much. We all must realize that encountering God often takes

Jesus made time to be in the wilderness for prayer and protection. I believe Dinho and Ginny can show us how God still uses this way to do much. We all must realize that encountering God often takes less, not more. We need less of our man-made distractions and comforts to see more of God. Please come and hear how you can be part of this approach both here and across the world. Let’s spend some time remembering that we must do Gods work in Gods way. Let’s reject the false idea that we must depend on technology or cultural power to be powerful for God here or around the world.

It’s going to be great.

Blessings,
Joe

Please read the following scriptures and consider the questions.

Rom 1:16-20 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Rom 1:16-20 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

• Paul worked without political power in high places as a cultural outcast. On what did he depend to change the world?
• How can hearing the simple gospel message be the power of God for salvation no matter your culture?

Rom 1:16   For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and to the Greek.

• Where did you first hear the gospel?
• How did it affect you?

Rom 1:19-20 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Psa 19:1-3 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory of God, and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.  Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.

• How can being out in creation witness to the powerful reality of God?
• Describe an experience where being in creation moved you toward God.
• How can being with others in a retreat or camping experience deepen and grow relationships?
• Describe an experience where this has happened.
• Where can you practice community out in creation this year?
• What are ways you can support camping for Christ around the world?