Speaker and evangelist Graham Ashby reflects on the power of God at work through camping ministry.
A few days back, I met a man in Oamaru. We’ve crossed paths off and on over the years, but this encounter felt different—more meaningful.
In our conversation, he shared his testimony with me.
At just six years old, in 1969, his mother took him to hear Dr. Billy Graham speak at a Crusade held in the old Carisbrook Park in Dunedin. Even at that young age, he said he felt the pull of God on his life. He wanted to walk up during the appeal, but his mother stopped him, saying, 'It’s too dark and you would get lost in the crowd.'
Throughout his childhood, his mother took him to the Oamaru Dutch Reformed Church. Later, during his teenage years, he attended the Oamaru Baptist Church. He admitted he often ran with the wrong crowd.
One night, the Baptist minister confronted him and a group of boys who were smoking outside the church. The minister gently but firmly told them, ‘There are two roads—one leads to destruction and the other to life. You must choose wisely.’ ‘We laughed it off,’ the man recalled, ‘but I never forgot his words.’ As he moved into adulthood, the choices he made began to shape his path in unexpected ways.
One weekend, he found himself at a youth camp held at Woodend Christian Camp, just north of Christchurch. ‘At this camp,’ he said with a grin, ‘Graham Ashby was the speaker, and he confronted me with those two roads of destiny. I knew it was time I made up my mind, repent, and seek forgiveness from the Lord. I responded that night, and it was a turning point in my life. From that time on, I have been a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.’
To his shame, he admitted, ‘I was a weak Christian,’ and although he always believed in the Saviour, his choices and bad company led him into drugs, which dominated his life for years.
Seeking a fresh start and distance from negative influences, he decided to move to Australia, hoping it would offer him a chance to rebuild his life. The change of scenery gave him space to reflect and begin healing from his struggles. After some time, he returned to New Zealand, is drug free, and found himself back in his hometown of Oamaru. He's been regularly attending a church in Oamaru and will soon shift to Christchurch. He’s already found a church there and is excited about making his home among fellow believers, feeling hopeful for the future.
Sowing Seeds
It's truly uplifting to learn how the Lord never gives up on His own. Even when they stray, God's seemingly dormant Word that was sown in conversations at churches and camps lies as a seed in their hearts. Then one day, the Lord waters those seeds to bring them back to Himself. Never forget, God's Word always has purpose and it will achieve things that we never thought possible.
I had forgotten that 40 plus years ago this lad had attended the camp I spoke at in the mid-80s. But I do remember that 'Mainland Muster' camp for a number of reasons. (Read the story in 100 Years Of Christian Camping, page 177).
Firstly, the young people seemed particularly hardened and resistant to the Gospel. It felt like I was preaching to bricks.
Secondly, on the last night of camp, I gave the young people the opportunity to surrender their sins and their lives to Christ. To my surprise, one by one a bunch of them came forward, some in tears, others in deep reflection. That night, teenagers found the Saviour for the first time, others recommitted their lives to the Lord and a few came forward just to indicate their love for the Lord who loved them.
And thirdly, just when the leaders and I thought we had finished the counselling, more young people who had been hovering, came to talk. It was a long night, but we had witnessed the miracle of new birth and lives changed forever. It was a wonderful outcome to what had been a challenging camp.
After the conversation with this man in Oamaru, I came home and found the camp photo. It was great to look at those faces and to thank God for the life changing decisions that many had made.
Of course, I couldn't remember all those who were present, but I did recognise a good number of them and was grateful for the memories and for the way that God's Word has continued to work in their lives.
Reviewing the photo gave me a renewed gratitude for what the Lord has done through Christian camping. Yes, He worked in the young people's lives, but He never neglected the leaders. This photo made me realise that even though the main goal was to reach the young people, camps like this helped with the formation and development of the leaders who gave up their weekend to serve.
That's me on the far left in the front row. I'm sporting a weak moustache that the late evangelist John Komene called, 'An eyebrow that's come down for a drink!' 😊
Third in from the left in the back row, is the late Graham May. He won a gold medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and although had a full-time secular job, he became a well-respected Bible teacher among the Open Brethren churches in Canterbury.
To his left in the back row, is Chris Hanham. Chris served as a missionary in Banyo, Cameroon for a number of years.
Just left of the middle, in the blue jacket, is Alan Aitken, CCCNZ and Te Maru Board Member, Management Consultant, Elder at Riccarton Community Church, Christchurch, and Chairman of the Gloriavale Leavers Support Trust.
Front row, third from right, is Lincoln Rout. Lincoln has been fully involved with the Rutland Street Church in Christchurch and for 25 years served as an elder. He ran a successful marketing company for decades and now spends much of his time serving and training with the International Teams organisation.
From the right, fourth row up, is Michael Rich holding his young, shy daughter. Michael and his wife Karen were key initiators of the camp. Karen is not in the photo because, like many servant-hearted people, she was in the kitchen preparing the meal. I recently received an email from Karen says she still cooks for her church camps. Thank you Karen for the inspirational example you give to others.
These are just a few examples from many, many more stories of how God has been at work.
These once leaders at camps, have gone on to serve the Lord using their gifting to share the Christian message with their careers and by their example. I thank God for them and their dedication.
Their training at camps was foundational to their future and it's encouraging to see how their faith has been a central part to where and how they have served.
This is a reminder to get our young emerging leaders to camps where they will see first-hand, God at work. What could better prepare them for the future than to lead a life to Christ and to display the hallmarks of a servant.
