PriesthoodDarkness1 Peter 2:9WhanaketiaAbuse in CareRoyal CommissionInter-dependenceChrist's authorityEphesians 1:22-23Camp DayJusticeGoodAmos 5:15Esther 6:12Regional SummitsTraining leadersMatthew 24Jesus' returnBirth painsCatastropheCrisisPrejudiceEsther 6:6Langham PreachingChrist's humilityPrideHamanEsther 3:5Gordon FountainChairWorkshopsShepherdingEmmett Street Community ChurchTaurangaEnd of all thingsComing of Jesus1 Peter 4:7Church Street Bible ChapelGod's timingGod is with usWinter experiencesPsalm 22:1Feilding Bible ChapelPreaching trainingConfidenceLamentations 4:17Stand FirmHeretaunga Community ChurchRowley Bible ChurchGod's graceClimateWeatherLamentations 4:13Youth CampChurch communityRevelation 7Jesus' righteousnessGod's judgementLamentations 4:21Father's DayTuvalu Brethren AssemblyMatthew 26FriendPathways Bible CollegeDeveloping leadersDig & DiscoverEvery peopleEvery languageEvery tribeEvery nationRevelation 7:9Women's retreatPastroLinkNew selfNew creationColossians 3:10Matthew 5:14LightParenting CourseDeveloping preachersColossians 1:4-5Māori Postal AotearoaTākaka Christian AssemblyKaikōura Gospel AssemblyMarlboroughNelson-TasmanServe like JesusAuckland SummitSchool holiday programmeBible conferenceChristian Korean ChurchAbrahamSustainerRevealerHeirHebrews 1:1-2HolidaysKids' programmeGiftEphesians 2:8-9Karakariki Christian CampAgora ChurchCommunicationWordTim CourseLongviewAshleigh TrebilcoGospel & CultureHebrews 10:19-22Nehemiah 9:6UnverseCreatorTorrey HiltonNelson SchonfeldtGreg BurgessWinter Bible SchoolWairakei Road Bible ChurchBryndwr Chapel1 Peter 4:9Leadership TeamDr Darrell BockChurch @ 109PastorLink RetreatSermon sharingChurches coming togetherOtago SummitCCCNZ TeamDr Murray HarrisNorthland2 Corinthians 7:5–6Matthew 26:39Halswell Community ChurchPaul WindsorTraining preachersLanghamGod's goodnessPsalm 103:1PraiseInvercargill Bible SchoolRomans 3:10-12RighteousnessSinMark van Wijk1 John 4:10SubstituteHawke's BayRegional GatheringThe Orchard ChurchGreerton Bible ChurchKylie BrownLifezone ChurchStaff DayDave BradleyTrustPsalm 146:3Luke 9:1Community outreachBethel Christian FellowshipWillow Park Christian CentreKakariki Christian CampWeaknessPowerBay of PlentyMen's breakfast1 Corinthians 2:2ConflictsChurches and campsColemanGrace ChurchLower North Island1 Peter 1:1PeterCitizens of heavenJobRedeemerGraham AshbyPrime Time ConferenceJH Baldwin ScholarshipForest LakesThe Anchor ChurchAlan ThompsonSydney Missionary & Bible CollegeManurewa Bible ChurchChurch campGrant BirksTroubleSydneyStewards AustraliaKatoombaMMMHoward RobinsonRoosevelt Road Bible ChurchRotoruaSisters HuiHuiAlan AitkenTe MaruThank youDan TylerBrian RopitiniNew Plymouth Community ChurchManawatūComfortHoly SpiritConsolationUnited with ChristRomans 6:5PreachingTheological studiesLincoln Road Bible ChapelNorth BeachThe EmbassyDeathOBH Camp ProjectStewards TrustStaff ConferenceEAUKSTestimonyWaitangiJoyTom McIvorPaul SamuelsGraduationIan PaynePapatoetoe Bible ChapelSalvationMatthew 1:21UnitedTītahi Bay Community ChurchEphesians 2:14KidsChristmas outreachMission Without BordersTōtara Springs Christian CentreManawarū Bible ChapelBearing fruitColossians 1:6Sefton MarshallFarewellStuart BayOnekawa Bible ChurchGod's willCalendarGlentunnel ChapelNick GoodwinKoinoniaGratitudeFellowship1 Corinthians 10:16 DunedinNew buildingCornerstone International Bible ChurchDoctrinePastoral Theologians FellowshipExamine ourselves1 Corinthians 11:28Children and FamiliesKaitaia Bible ChapelNextGen Summit1 Corinthians 11:27CommunionBethany TrustDoug BennFamily FiestaFinlay ParkNarrows ParkTotara SpringsRaleigh Street Christian CentreLight PartyRedemption ChurchMark DramaFenton Park Bible ChurchOctober 7IsraelHeretaunga Christian CentreLazarusLifeJohn 11:43Peter AllenGovernanceIan Elliott ScholarshipWhite SundayBaptismsWeepingJohn 11:33Holiday ProgrammeChurch-centric campingAuckland Leaders DinnerThe Street ChurchPathway Christian CentreBroderick Road ChapelVivian Street Gospel HallInternational ServiceChurch on IngestreGriefJohn 11:35Joel BirkinHolidays ProgrammeSouth IslandComfortedConfrontedJohn 12:5Growing leadersServing the communityInvercargillCelebrationThanksgivingFranklin Bible ChurchKing JesusHosanna!John 12:13Prayer breakfastWorking beeCrossGod's powerColossians 2:15North Beach Christian FellowshipTe Awamutu Bible ChapelCity to CityMoirs Point Christian CentreMangonui Bible ChapelCoopers Beach Christian Youth CampKaitaia Bible ChapeTōtara North Bible ChapelRaumati Crescent ChapelFar NorthJesus is LordCaptivated by ChristColossians 2:6Tim HodgeCCCNZ Board75th AnniversaryMissionaryMovement of the WordKaipaki Bible ChurchAlpha CourseDave FirthLast WordsHopeDavidPsalm 139:23Jesus knows usPathways CollegeLichfield LandsScholarshipsLiz HodgeSuffering ChristiansElisabeth ElliotRevelation 6:10CampsitesEl RanchoRoss BayMiCamp TaupōExodus 29:42Church-Camp PartnershipHousing ProjectOrwell Street ChurchEden Community ChurchPakuranga Christian FellowshipAnniversaryRukumoana MaraeKids programmeKelston Community ChurchPapakuraLive the gospelEmergency housingKarakarikiWhitioraNew ZealandActs 17:24FearIdolsActs 17:16Gospel MinistryChurch Camp PartnershipMararikiJob 9:9Ruth 1:20God's purposesMaraNaomiRuthHorsemenLambRevelation 6:1Rally NZTauwhare MaraeAGMRevelation 1:12-13HM RageJesus' salvationJohn 18:10Community connectionsYouth groupServing SundaysInvercargill Combined Bible SchoolFurnaceMatthew 26:46Matthew 26:42Police chaplainsHumilityPhilippians 2:7Known unto GodJohn 15:13Willow Park Christian CampKids CampLifeSwitchChurch @ CedarwoodKingston Community ChurchRomans 1:14-15Ambassador's WrapRomans 1:18God's wrathLakeland Park CampNorm and Liz SilcockRegional summitNorthgate Community Church1 Corinthians 1:18Sarah ChalmersStewardsDoors openColossians 4:4Genesis 1:12-13Ian RoweThird-Day GardensMatthew 5:16Natural disastersFamily campLighthouse ChurchChurches working togetherOrdinary peopleJohn 1:43John 1:29The LionThe LambWho are you?Who is He?John 1:21-221 Peter 1:13Psalm 13:11 Peter 1:1-2God's realitySober-mindedFrustrationPastorCampsCycloneCampsiteHowick Community ChurchHaggai 1:3-4Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strengthLuke 2:10Good NewsIn the beginningJohn 1:1-5Luke 1:27Titus 1:9MarkLuke 1:28Psalm 31:1-5Romans 12:15Matthew 1:1Road to EmmausLuke 24:29John 20:16Mark 10:45Queen Elizabeth IIHorizon of HopeThe Mark DramaLamentationsGraceSecond windSwedish Method1-2-1 Bible ReadingPreach the WordRiccarton Community ChurchInternshipsPsalmsCreativityHoliday CampRiverbend Bible ChurchPaengaroa Bible ChapelPalmerston NorthChurch on VogelThe House Next DoorSchoolLaunchpadLifewalkAmos 5:8MatarikiBad GuysTitus 3:1-2Auckland Bible ChurchDarrell BockLeanne BrownCrossroads ChurchKaipara Bible ChapelDargaville Gospel ChurchMarsden Bay Christian Camp2 Timothy 2:21 Corinthians 1:18-31James 1:2-42 Timothy 2The Orchard Church Te PukeEvangelismChurchesSupport MinistriesEasterThe cross-shaped life2 Corinthians 1:8-9IsolationLast SupperWestChurchGeoff StarkUkraineRobert MitchellTasman ChurchChurch LeadersRevelation 2-4Psalm 31Ezra 31 Timothy 6:11-21Galatians 2:10The gospelThessaloniansAotearoa, NZEphesians 2Waitangi Day 2022Working TogetherCCCNZ AucklandAmatakiloa Bible ChurchTongan TsunamiLeslie ScottRebekah ReeveConnectionsSummitTop of the SouthEaster CampRegional ConnectionsCCCNZ Children and Family MinistriesRutland Street ChurchManawaru Bible ChapelYouth Reachout RoadtripWord of LifeConnectionPartnershipRichard DavisLawson ScottRegionalChristchurchEphesians 12 Timothy 2:1-131 Peter 12 Peter 1HarvestActs 8Psalm 24:1-2Acts 27:23–26Resurrection1 Corinthians 15:14Ezra-NehemiahPsalm 231 Corinthians 15:8-111 Corinthians 15:3-81 Corinthians 15:3-5CCCNZ PrayerHillcrest ChapelPeaceConflictWearyEldershipCOVID-19 Protection FrameworkWoven TogetherAnnual Report 2020-21FaithfulnessAPARichard FountainIndianChristian radioJeewan DhaaraPsalm 146Ambassador's BlogHeavy ladenEmily TylerBaptismWhitiora Bible ChurchLifeChurch ManurewaQSMNational CCCNZ Youth TeamRob MortonWhat Comes Next?BoardAbortion Legislation BillPandemicMark GraceResponsePhilippiansChurch response to COVID-19Church response to coronavirusCoronavirusCOVID-19Worship EnablerYvonne HengNorthcross ChurchGC3AppealBushfiresSophia McCrindleCCCAustAustralian BushfiresPacific CommunityAne PonifasioLui PonifasioQueen's Service MedalNew Year's HonoursPasifikaTāmaki Community ChurchThe Riverside ClubIdeasIntergenerational ministryMassey Community ChurchBirkenhead Community ChurchBitternessThe Greatest SaviourPrayer GatheringCCNZChristian Camping NZTeapot Valley Christian CampNancy Jean Forbes Training CentreWoodend Christian CampCanterburyChurch PlantingJackie MillarPrayingDanielle DiproseAdministrationFinance60 yearsCamp ministryChristian CampingLakeland Park Christian CampPreparationChristchurch Mosque AttacksHealingTraumaWhat's Next?Julie McKinnonUnityHospitalityCultural diversityOrosiusImmigrationTeenagersGiftsYoung leadersSummer SchoolChildrenParentsChildren and Family Ministries75 JubileeGirlsBoysNZ RallyRestCCCNZ PastorLinkGrowthOrewa Community Church2019God StoriesChapel Hill Community ChurchEncouragementFriendshipEldersSuccessionGod's faithfulnessGospelFireHope Community ChurchNelsonTogether Works BetterFIRST TrainingYouth SummitCampingCommunity MinistryChildren's MinistryRallyAuthenticityMillenialsMinistryYoung AdultsLeaving HomeStudentsCampusStudent ministry at OtagoUniversity of OtagoO WeekJesus ChristStudent LifeTSCFStudent ministryTreaty of WaitangiPākehāMāoriTreatySpiritChristianityWaitangi Day 2019ColombiaRosedale Bible ChapelSouthlandInternational StudentsTimaruChurch Street ChapelIan ElliottTeensCalledTauwhare Gospel ChapelCompassionWaikatoRefugee MinistryCambell ForlongCity Bible ChurchInternationalLiving GodGlobalisationDr Merv CoatesEngagingRongopaiMulticultural ministryHaggaiPlanningPrayerJeremy SuistedInconvenienceJosephMaryLoveSaviourO Holy Night LyricsLyricsChristmas CarolO Holy NightDiscipleshipClark Road ChapelVolunteerEducationCitizens Advice BureauTe Ao NgākauCommunity CentreJames 1:26-27OutreachMaungarei Christian Community TrustMt Wellington Community ChurchMurray BrownChrist-centredHealthy youth ministryYouth leadershipHukanui Bible ChurchBible readingFreshLearningDevotionsFamilyCommitmentBible in a yearCarolsLightsOnslow Community ChurchMusicTheologyPathwaysWorship leadingWorshipPathways School of Worship LeadingSOWLChristmas messageJesusEventsAucklandGlow in the ParkAdventChristmasSupportRespiteCareRetreatLeadersPastorsPastorLinkKerry RickardSpiritual formationCross-culturalChristianGap YearHeadspaceKiwi24-7 YouthWorkCommunityFaithYouthTrainingCCCNZ YouthYoung peopleChurchChristYouth ministryCCCNZScriptureLeadershipChristian CoachingCoachingBiblePaulFaithfulOrdinary ChristianExtraordinary GodComfort ZoneGodHadfieldMissionNZWellingtonRegional Enablers
TAGS

Camping Connections

“When was the last time you had four or five people in your church, in one morning, say, ‘I want to become a Christian?’” That’s a normal day at Teapot Valley Christian Camp—seeing four or five youth taking the next step towards faith in Jesus.

As CCCNZ’s Camping Enabler, Richard Davis has plenty of opportunities to say what he’s been asking for some time: “That’s the opportunity before us; don’t you want to be part of it?” In Nelson, leaders from the trustee churches that originally founded Teapot Valley have been asking themselves the same thing over recent years. They’ve found an ally in the camp’s manager, Paul Shutte.

Paul has managed Teapot Valley with his wife, Jocelyn, for the past 26 years. He said that in the early days, the churches had a much closer relationship with the camp. They participated in working bees on the site 25 minutes south of Nelson, helped with operations, and were the main source of campers.

“Over the past few years we’ve recognised that, unintentionally, we’ve drifted apart,” Paul says. “Now we’re starting to work out what more intentionally we can do to prevent that drift”. The drift is a national trend that many Open Brethren heritage camps are experiencing, and various currents are driving it.

Camps used to be places for youth to connect, be discipled, and invite friends into the church community; now church-based youth groups are typically the hub for those activities. Family life has also changed. Murray Gauntlett remembers helping his father do building work at Tōtara Springs in the 1970s and spending many holidays and weekends at Christian camps. “We did very little other things when we were kids,” says the elder at Grace Church Richmond and trustee for Teapot Valley. “Our parents were involved in the church and involved in the camp, and that was a major thing. … The way that we live now, we go away often, we do a lot more travel than we used to do, and you’ve only got a certain amount of spare time”. 

“Twenty-five years ago, the majority of weekends would be churches,” Paul says of Teapot Valley’s clientele. “Now, we might have three or four weekends a year”. He says that in addition to fragmented calendars, rising costs and work commitments have contributed to the drift.

As churches have become more independent from camps, camps have hired people for roles once filled by volunteers and opened their doors to groups besides churches and schools. “We’ve had to diversify a little bit, and I guess within that the ministry component of what we do has changed,” Paul says. He says that they focus on serving their guests well, and take opportunities where they can to share the camp’s Christian foundation—a shift that offers new opportunities.

Earlier this year a group of Teapot Valley trustees, elders from three different churches in the Nelson region, and CCCNZ staff met together to talk about how they could be working together more intentionally. “To see the desire from a number of key people to make this work—and it will be a long journey, it’s a marathon, not a sprint—I’m so excited to see what can happen. It’s a template for what can happen through our nation,” says Richard.

To help draw churches and Teapot Valley together, Paul and his team plan to run subsidised camps for partner churches. They’ll also run kids’ programmes geared to non-churched friends, which also allows the adults to meet together. He says there are plenty of opportunities for camps to work with church pastors, small groups, staff, retreats and conferences. 

Richard, who is also on the board of Christian Camping New Zealand, says that there are just shy of 70 Christian camps in the country. Nearly a third have an Open Brethren heritage, and each year more than 100,000 people attend a camp associated with CCCNZ.

Tōtara Springs alone sees more than 15,000 campers a year. “Every single one of those people is an opportunity for Jesus,” Richard says. The leaders at Teapot Valley, Grace Church, Hope Community Church, and Tasman Church are pursuing a closer relationship not just because the churches were historically invested in the camp, but because they see great opportunities for both the campsite and their churches. 

“We really do need each other to fulfil our gospel mission in Nelson,” says Sean Young from Grace Church. He knows first-hand the role camps play in bringing young people to faith, and the importance of churches to disciple them. “I came to the Lord in a marquee on the grounds of Teapot Valley Camp back in 1997,” he says. “The camp has a place close to my heart”.

Over recent years, Grace Church has seen at least four young people who aren’t from Christian homes join the youth group. Sean says they became Christians at camp and, thanks to his church’s involvement there, found a community of believers. 

Camps also provide ample opportunities for leadership development, both in service to others and in discipleship. “We’ve had a lot of our youth at camp either as a leader-in-training or as leaders,” Sean says. Over the winter holidays, about 50 youth from Grace spent time at Teapot Valley. “They’ll give up their entire holidays to be out there, which is outstanding”.

He’s seen a good flow-on effect. “It’s nice to see young people who want to serve others… It’s not easy for them. In fact the camps are getting more and more challenging with some of the issues and behaviour and background that they are having to deal with”.

Through these challenges, Sean said the youth have grown. “It has been awesome to hear some of the stories from my leaders when they come back,” he says. “It has been a positive for us, a real positive”.

At Teapot Valley, Paul says that they’re actively training young people from the three connected churches to be camp leaders. Most of the camp’s speakers are youth leaders from those churches, and there are plenty of opportunities for youth to grow their leadership skills.

Those experiences strengthen leadership within local youth groups, Paul said, and ultimately that strengthens the entire church. This is one of the main reasons that Richard is so passionate about his role. “A camp and a church together to train our next generation— it’s hugely important,” he says. “And that’s only going to happen if the church management and camp management get into the same room and start slowly—and it will be slowly—put processes in place for this generation to be growing in God’s word and for evangelism opportunities”.



 

This product has been added to your cart

CHECKOUT