An Invitation to Partner with God
Every summer at Black Diamond Camp, we welcome new staff from around the world to come together under the banner of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and help exemplify the love He has for us to those we serve. This is no easy task, yet we are invited into something much larger than ourselves.
Experience God:
We are all invited to experience God. My hope in prayer for myself and each staff member is to experience and understand the depth of Jesus Christ’s love and take joy in growing close to God. Camp has many rules, some meant for safety for our staff and others, but many are intended to help guide staff into time that positions them to grow closer to God. To take the time and make the time to pray…. pray 40′ up in a tree, pray for others, and pray with others. Talk to Jesus. He is excited to hear what each of us has to say. Take the time and make the time to read the Bible. Read in the morning, read by yourself, read with others. Take the time to listen to what God wants to say to you.
“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” Ephesians 3:17
Create Unity:
We are invited to create unity. We are a diverse group of gals and guys at Black Diamond, with different upbringings, cultures, languages, races, and ethnicities. We have been invited to join in Christian community serving through One Spirit. When we strive to be united through the One Spirit, “Our diversity in unity mirrors the diversity in unity of the Holy Trinity. Characterized by equality, intimacy, submission, and respect, which then ought to characterize our relationships in our Christian community as well.” (Seamands, 342 loc). Living at peace and in unity with one another is as challenging as it is rewarding.
Regardless of our differences, each and every one of us deserves respect, grace, and love. This is why the Apostle Paul says to the Ephesians,
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love for God and for others.” Ephesians 4:2.
Christian community is challenging and takes work, but it is through our unity, love, and respect for one another that we give witness to the world. Jesus prays to God, saying,
“I am in them, and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23
Offer Christ-centered Hospitality:
We are invited to offer Christ-centered hospitality. The Greek word used for hospitality translates as “love of strangers.” The act of biblical hospitality is to extend love to strangers, which we have thousands of opportunities to do this summer. We are invited to have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a servant and was born as a human being.” Philippians 2:5-7.
Like Jesus, we are invited to humble ourselves, to serve, and to work. And it is hard work. Hospitality can be described as a grind, often including cleaning, washing dishes, weed whacking, cooking, regular interruptions, and a multitude of inconveniences. Christ-centered hospitality is an invitation to join Jesus in the ministry that He is at work in. As Rosaria Butterfield emphasizes, radical ordinary hospitality is one of the most powerful ways to reflect Jesus to the world.
– Ryan Saenz, General Manager
Black Diamond Camp