A Unique Round Up

Again, the sound of campers voices echo against Circle Bluff and down into the riverbed where the cool waters of Blue Hole beckon.  But this time, it’s not the sound of talking or splashing or even dining.  It’s the sound of worship.

This summer, Echo Valley is trying something new with their customary Blue Hole day-trip.  After a long hike, a refreshing swim, and a stomach-full of Kevin Mayne burger, each camper finds a place among the cedar and cactus for Roundup.  Evening Roundups usually take place in Echo Valley’s Pavilion and consist of songs, games, skits, and finally worship and a message by one of the Central Staff Members.

This Roundup has most of these, only in a different setting, the slopes above Blue Hole.  Campers sit in a loose half-circle, some on boulders, others on their towels.  Someone has even brought a hammock that quickly gets pressed into service as a couch.  Together, they cheer on their friends who volunteer to take the microphone in a rap battle.

After the game and a short time of worship, Sean Flack, a Program Crew Boss, takes the microphone.  Shawn unfolds his message with a simple and honest tone.  He explains first that every one of us is created unique.  Not only this, but we were also created for a purpose.  To explain what that purpose is, Shawn quotes Paul in Philippians 1:20.

“Christ will be magnified in my body,” he says, “whether in life or death.”

That is our purpose, to magnify Christ.  Shawn ends his talk with a challenge.  He asks every camper to go and tell their counselor three things that they know they were made for.  This is a terrific message and challenge to take on.  It’s easy to forget why you are where you are and what you really have to offer.  Shawn hits it right on the head as he quotes one last scripture.

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”