Brackenhurst Ministries: Lion's Pride

Today I was forwarded an email that was written by one of the parents whose son participated in camp during 1st session. They are a Japanese family from a Christian background, the mother wrote an email expressing her thanks to the staff for investing in her son. She specifically mentioned that while her son was participating in the Quest for the Lion's Pride, he decided that he was ready to be baptized. Its so encouraging to see the Lord at work during Lion's Pride because the campers are essentially alone during the challenge, so the change that happens in their lives is clear evidence of the Holy Spirit at work.
Lion's Pride happens on the last night of camp and I never seem to be able to blog about it after it happens, so I'm just going to let you know what happens at the beginning of the week this week. Campers who are 14 or have finished the 8th grade have the choice to participate in Lion's Pride. The participants come forward at the end of Summit Fires (Friday night's evening program) and are led out to get ready for the challenge. Then they are taken in to have the Charge read to them, which specifically outlines the goals and requirements of the challenge in which they are about to take part. They must build a fire and keep it burning all night long. At daybreak they must complete a fast paced uphill run, they must keep the pace that is set by members of the staff or by those who have completed the challenge before them. After the run they must write an essay that tells what they have learned during the challenge and write out the 5 Lion's Pride memory verses. They must complete the entire challenge in complete silence. Once they have successfully completed all of the challenges, they become members of the Lion's Pride. The challenge is very difficult, in 10 years of camp, only 9 campers have completed it.
However, for many, many more campers, Lion's Pride has represented a defining point in their journey with the Lord. It is so cool to hear their stories about what the Lord did in their hearts and minds when they were alone in the middle of the night with their fire or pushing their bodies harder than they thought they could when they were running. The Lord always chooses to work in the most unique ways during camp!