“KNOWING JESUS & MAKING HIM KNOWN”

FAQ: HOW IS CAMP AFFECTED BY COVID?

It is no secret that 2020 was been a year like no other. All the nations and people groups of the world are entering into a new way of life. Like every other area of life, Covid has changed the Camping Ministry around the United States. Substantial financial, regulatory and practical obstacles prevented many from offering summer camp, retreats and rentals. As the Spring 2022 approaches, we expect new opportunities to serve the Lord.

Although there are multiple challenges, our mission remains unchanged: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel... and make disciples of all the nations" (Mark 16:15; Matt 28:19).

These (and other factors) have caused the leadership to pray. We are embarking on a new venture in faith and ask for your support and encouragement. A step of faith might mean leaving the safety of our comfort zone. Peter abandoned his safety and comfort when he jumped out of the boat to walk on water to Jesus. He could take that leap of faith because he knew his Lord and trusted that He was good: “The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Psalm 145:9).

When we demonstrate authentic trust in God, we know that our “leap of faith” is actually a leap into His all-powerful and loving arms. He delights in our trust and rewards those who earnestly pursue Him: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

God closes doors and opens new doors. The Board of Directors is considering a new location and a new vision for the ministry. This is simply an exploration to see what God might do. We are taking a step of faith by walking through an open door.

NEXT STEPS

PRAYERFULLY FIND A BUYER FOR THE LAND

It is vitally important to pray for this transition. God wants to multiply ministry in our new location, so we ask for much prayer and wisdom (James 1:5). We ask that resources are provided that will ensure many students are training for ministry in these new and troubling times.

MOVE THE MINISTRY TO A NEW LOCATION

Prayer is God's ordained means of accomplishing His will. We ask for much prayer in selecting the new ministry location. It's His ministry, He is taking the lead and we are following!

CELEBRATE GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

Give God the glory! By faith, we thank the Lord for His faithfulness in multiplying ministry! We have great expectancy in our great God to do abundantly and exceedingly above all we can ask or think. We are rejoicing (by faith) before the actual move happens - because we have great expectation in a great God!

OUR CONVICTION:
JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOON

Scripture tells us that in every age we are to look for the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Further, we are told that while we are “looking for Him” we are to be living lives worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 4:1). In keeping with this great calling and our Lord’s certain return, we must be men and women of prayer who are sold out for Jesus.

These verses describe our conviction concerning an urgency to train leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Corinthians 6:19-20, Colossians 1:9-10, Philippians 3:14, Revelation 3:8).

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19

The last days, we are told are difficult days as people increasingly become lovers of self and enemies of God while trying to deceive people into believing they are on their side (Timothy 3:1-9). The hour is late and we must take every opportunity to know God’s will through the study of God’s Word, and to press on to maturity with all haste in order that we may be useful, mature vessels to be used by Him in these last days. We are seeing God opening unprecedented doors for training the next generation of church leaders, youth pastors, and children’s ministry leaders. The laborers are few and the opportunities are great (Matthew 9:37-38).

PURPOSE

The purpose, ministry, and mission of Camp West are to please God and bring Him glory. We will fulfill this purpose through the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This is further described and succinctly stated as “Knowing Jesus and Making Him Known”. We are all about making disciples and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ!

HISTORY

Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je West was originally formed in 1974 to serve the children, youth, and adults of Western Colorado with the purpose of operating summer camps, retreats, and get-aways that furthered the work of the Gospel.

In 2008, there was a leadership transition. The current leadership team was invited to begin a new work connected with Bible College students to strengthen the work. Calvary Chapel Bible College - Colorado Campus was launched and formed the backbone to the future vision of Camp West. We acquired the property to provide a place where the next generation of ministry leaders can get apart from the world for a season to study the Word of God and come to know Jesus more intimately (Ephesians 4:12). Our prayer and desire were that every student who attends CCBC Colorado will know Jesus better at the end of each class than they did at the beginning (Colossians 2:6,7).

This student base would overflow into children's and youth camps during the summer months (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Also, there are opportunities for church planting practicums (Matthew 28:19).

Pastor Chuck Smith endorsed this campus and its vision with a letter inviting the local Calvary Chapel pastors to invest and participate in the new work here in the Colorado mountains.

Upon Pastor Chuck's death, CCBC Colorado was sunsetted and there was a need to revise and reset the ministry's vision towards church planting in Glenwood Springs, Colorado (Matthew 16:18). This new church plant was committed to overseeing the Camp West ministry. We invested much time, talent and treasure to ensure Camp West continued to flourish. The new model was to continue making disciples and train church leaders (2 Timothy 2:2) all while hosting retreats and rentals for like-minded churches and ministries (Acts 2:42).

2022 NEW WORK

The initial vision of discipleship and leadership training is our heart as Board of Directors. It is God’s will to provide a place where the next generation of ministry leaders can get apart from the world for a season to study the Word of God and come to know Jesus more intimately. Years of prayer and discussion culminated in God’s revealed timing to return to our reason for moving to Colorado in 2008.

“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?” - Isaiah 43:19

God wants to spring forth a new work of discipleship, that goes along with His bringing us here in 2008. God does new works of His Spirit, in new wineskins, and we always have to be ready and available for a fresh work of His Spirit, willing to leave the old and go on with the new work that God is doing to reach the current generation. God wants to do new work in our days.

God used the difficulties during Covid-19, along with other challenges, and He has prompted us to increase our prayer life. God's Word is the light for our path (Psalm 119:105). God is also guiding us through circumstances (2 Corinthians 2:12), the promptings of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and godly mentors providing wise counsel (Proverbs 12:15). As the Board of Directors does its due diligence (and fiduciary duty of care) we are exploring a new location for the ministry. God closes doors and opens new doors and we are taking a step of faith by walking through an open door. God has shown us that He wants to put the Camp IRHJ West Ministry in a new wineskin.

NEW LOCATION

The Bible is called “God’s Word” for a reason—it is the primary way God speaks to us. We have heard from the Lord (through the study of His Word and prayer) and He has initiated the new direction (Isaiah 46:10, James 1:5). The timing is now. We are exploring our options to acquire a new facility where we can train the next generation of church leaders, youth pastors, and children’s ministry leaders to accelerate discipleship in these last days (2 Timothy 2:2). Serving the next generation of church leaders will multiply our impact on children and youth. We have the potential to impact 1000's of lives each year by impacting the next generation of leaders who will in turn impact the lives of children and youth. Hosting kids' camps limited our impact to just those attending camp (Mark 6:30-34). The new ministry vision includes training youth pastors and helping them successfully disciple their flock year-round (Exodus 17:12; Acts 1:8).

The new vision includes digital outreach, in-person conferences, and symposiums. We desire to train the next generation of youth leaders who will in turn disciple young people. We will multiply outreach by ministering to leaders. God promises to guide us, Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”

We have discovered operating a facility without a substantial budget distracts us from the urgent task of training the next generation. Daniel 2:21 shows us that “He changes the times and the seasons... He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.” God has revealed that it is a time for a change and given wisdom on the way to go. Therefore, God has directed us to hit the reset button and pivot toward this new ministry model and venture in faith, as 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

Like any step of faith, we are walking forward and upward, forgetting what lies behind to see what God might do. Some may object, “This is not the way we’ve always done it.” Yet, many times God wants you to do new work, and He “pours new wine into new wineskins” (Luke 5:36-39).

We are walking by faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” We do not have all of the answers, yet we are stepping forward in this venture of faith with the ONE who does have the answers!

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Although God has opened an unprecedented door for new work, there is an element of spiritual warfare. Paul experienced this. He writes, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). The enemy is eager to supply diversions to distract us from God’s will (1 Peter 5:8).

PARTNER WITH US

As a concluding word, we (as the Board of Directors) ask that you partner with us in prayer. Stand with us by sharing encouragement as we take this step of faith.

“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2).

FAQs

What is God's Will for the ministry?

How can I seek first the Kingdom of God?

Is the current ministry team leaving a legacy?

What is the plan moving forward?

How can I support the new vision?

How will you double the new vision?

Click the button below to add your name to the growing list of enthusiastic supporters! Commit to God's will for the next season of making disciples and get updates from the leadership team.