This summer has been so different from any I remember over the past few years. Since 2007, our ministry has spent the summer welcoming youth and adults for a program called Camp Collide (now called IMPACT). This summer, for several reasons, we prayerfully decided to cancel the program. It was a tough call to make and only came about following three solid weeks of prayer and discernment between Jesse (our IMPACT Director), Russ (our Board Chair), and me.
As the end of the summer nears, I’ve been taking time to look back over these past two months and see how that decision was a blessing in disguise. First – we still hosted two groups of youth and adults down in New Orleans. With many thanks to John Cannavan, Brooks Manley, my wife Ashley, St. Matthew’s UMC, and the folks at Rebuilding Together, we had 51 youth and adults come to serve families still struggling to rebuild following Katrina.
Second – we’ve had a good bit of time to step back, take a deep breath, and have fruitful conversations about the future of our ministry. As we plan for IMPACT in summer 2012, we know it will be an entirely different thing from Camp Collide. It’s not just a ‘work week’. It’s not just a mission trip. IMPACT will be an experience that teaches and inspires youth (and adults!) to be Christian servant leaders through word and deed.
Third – we’ve had time to move! Our office up through May was located in downtown Clemson. It was a cool spot, but when we got word that a local church was willing to donate free office space, we said, “Sure – that’d be great!” As of June 1, we’re now housed in the old NeedToBreathe rehearsal space at United Assembly of God between Clemson and Seneca. Not only do we have more space here, but the money we will save thanks to UAG’s generosity will help us serve an extra thirty families each year.
This summer has been really different. It’s been quiet. It’s been restful. It has been a summer that God has blessed us with.
Even as I write, we’re already gearing up for REACH workdays this fall and to announce plans for IMPACT 2012. Keep ReWiGo in your prayers over these next few weeks. We’re excited to get back into the swing of things come August!
Grace and peace,
Chris
