When we thought about sponsoring a Sports Camp in Clarksburg, MD we weren’t sure what would happen. Would anyone come? Would it be fun for the kids that would come? How would we pull it off? Well, we stepped out and began all of the planning and preparation - including getting some experienced coaches to run soccer, basketball and cheerleading. Then we hit the streets and the neighborhood and gave out a lot of flyers and just invited people to come. We had 47 kids show up! It was really something! The theme for the week was Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” It was a great time! We stumbled into so we’re doing it again with a Family Night Out in August at the same school.

Here are some pictures from the camp.
SPORTS CAMP BASKETBALL

SPORTS CAMP CHEERLEADING

SPORTS CAMP SOCCER

SPORTS CAMP PARENTS AND KIDS

Yesterday was a great time to just out in the community connecting with people. A kind word or deed goes a long way. As a church, I hope that we can be known for our kindness and compassion. It’s so needed.

It’s been great to provide an outlet for kids in our community by sponsoring the Sports Camp in Clarksburg. We’re excited and have a lot of kids coming. Our main thing is to help people make three connections: connect with God, connect with others and care for people. The Sports Camp is just a simple way of caring for people and our community.

It seems like everywhere you turn there’s another how to book on whatever topic you can dream up. There must be a race behind the scenes to discover some fresh how to topic that no one else is writing about just to get a new book out. It’s overload. The spiritual topics are no exception. In some sense, we’ve all experienced that feeling, “Is this the key? Will the advice in this book finally do it for me?” But, often there’s a let down when we’re done with the book. Some of us simpley move on the next one. Where does it all end? What about simply experiencing and seeking God more in our daily lives?

Some would say that the idea of pursuing a connection with God is for people who need some kind of crutch in life. They can’t make it on their own. So they need God to help them get through the ups and downs of life when most people can do it on their own.

But what about Jesus for example? Do people believe in him because they can’t handle the ups and downs of life? Maybe there’s some other reason why people support Jesus. He made some radical statements and did some outrageous things when he was here on earth. For example, he told people that they could connect with God by believing him and what he said. And he proved his case when he beat death and rose from the dead. A lot of people even saw him after he died too. That’s a key thing that is unique to Jesus. So, isn’t religious belief in Jesus more than just a crutch?