This past weekend, I heard the story of “Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody” for the first time. I tried to find out who wrote it, but it is hard to identify. Some people think it is a poem by Charles Osgood, but this story is commonly used by people teaching leadership. I am glad that when it comes to Youth Camp, this story is not the case here in Rio Texas. I had the opportunity to witness this in the last month. A group of Youth Coordinators stepped out in faith and offered their gifts to lead and organize three Mid-Winter retreats across south Texas.

The First Mid-Winter was offered by the Capital District, January 13 – 15, at T Bar M Camp. Rev. Ryan Jenson, Associate Pastor at Austin Oak Hill UMC was the leader of this group effort. He shared that multiple youth coordinators from the Austin-area offered to lead a part of the three-day weekend retreat. The theme was “Made for More.”

Each local church youth coordinator led an activity. We heard from two different worship groups: Texas State Musicians, and a father-daughter duo from Gruene UMC. The speakers were students from Texas State University and UT Wesley.

All the speakers spoke with passion about God’s call, God’s grace, and their personal experience and faith journey. The weather was a little cold, but the energy shared by facilitators, adults and students kept us warm throughout the weekend.

The second Mid-Winter was offered by The Coastal Bend and El Valle District on February 3-5, at Camp Zephyr. FUMC Palacios Rev. Phillip Higginbotham and Campus Minister/District Youth Coordinator Rev. Todd Johns led the camp. Superintendent Rev. Laura Brewster gathered many youth pastors and fundraised to keep the camp affordable for every child.

The theme was “Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T)”. Senior Pastor at Corpus Christi Kelsey Memorial Rev. John Fletcher shared how God is the greatest of all time; how through Christ, we are made great to serve others. Students had the opportunity to play, learn and create new relationships. Recreational activities kept students and adults involved and engaged with many activities. If you see a video where Pastor Phillip and I are intensely playing Tic Tac Toe with a ping pong ball, I let him win, do not let him tell you otherwise, LOL.

Last, but not least, Las Misiones hosted the third Mid-Winter, February 10-12, at Twin Oaks Camp in Buda. Isabella Lopez, Youth Coordinator at San Antonio Colonial Hills UMC, was the retreat leader. She recruited the District Lay Leader Mark Mitchell, people from her church, and other small churches to volunteer and offer their gifts for an awesome weekend for the youth.  

San Antonio St. Matthew UMC Rev. Kelly Conkelton taught the kids and teens to connect scripture with their daily lives and reminded them that they are loved by God–Jesus chose to incarnate and be with us. Students and adults had the opportunity to set up and serve meals as well as lead some activities at the camp. It was an interactive camp, and everyone contributed to make it a success.

I love that somebody stepped up and everyone helped to create a space for the youth to explore their faith, share their experiences and make new connections with youth from across the Rio Texas Conference. I am glad that the story of the four “Body’s” mentioned at the beginning is not what I saw in any of the Mid-Winters. Instead, I witnessed Acts 6:1-7, where disciples and people prayed over leaders, and they were filled of the Holy Spirit to serve and helped increase their witness around the region. I witnessed many pastors and lay leaders embodying and modeling discipleship to a new generation of leaders that we had the privilege to serve and mentor.

Some of the constants in all three camps were: the cooperation and collaboration from many leaders whose main objective was not to be in the spotlight, but to offer their best so others could have time with Jesus and growth in their discipleship. Pastors, youth leaders and parents worked together to create a welcoming space for youth, many of them experiencing camp for the first time.

Each Mid-Winter was led and offered to a particular district. However, churches from outside districts were also welcomed to join. I think this was a huge success because all were willing to share their resources and leadership to host groups from around the connection. I hope this will be the vision for youth ministry across Rio Texas, to share resources and leadership so together we could witness our faith to each other. I am grateful for all the pastors and youth leaders who offered their time, money, and gifts so that our youth had space to explore and express their faith. I cannot say I had a favorite camp because all three had a distinctive leadership, opportunities and experience that made each unique.

I cannot wait to see all the youth from across the Conference during summer camp. We will have two camps this year: one in Palacios July 2-7 and another in Buda July 9-13. Pre-Registration will be $275 before May 15. $300 between May 15 – June 12. Registration due date is June 12. If you have an adult or youth who feels called to serve in the planning team, please do not hesitate to contact me at mpadilla@riotexas.org. I would love to continue offering the best to our youth and our youth coordinators. Please keep all youth ministers and youth in prayer.