Spring Appeal
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
NEWS FLASH: Summer is just a few weeks away! With that in mind, I am again privileged to write to you about our upcoming summer urban Sports Camps/Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs. We at the Michigan District, LCMS have been offering these camps to urban children for the past six summers and, with God’s continuing grace and your ongoing generosity, several more camps will be offered again this summer.
Before telling you about the upcoming camps, please allow me a moment to reminisce. Some of my most memorable summer memories as a child occurred while in Confirmation Camp (Camp Pioneer), and while participating in summer camps. I regularly attended “cross country sports camp,” and I always attended VBS when younger. I imagine many of you did as well and, like me, you have fond memories from those joyous times. (I pray so.)
Our goal through our summer camps is to provide these same kinds of experiences for children who may not otherwise have such an opportunity.
What we strive to do through our Acts 2 Enterprise (A2E) urban summer camp programs is to provide a week-long camp experience that encompasses both sports and VBS. Rev. Christopher Bodley introduced this concept over six years ago when he joined the Michigan District staff as a missionary at large to the city of Detroit.
Our camps are remarkable because they are offered at absolutely no charge for any child who attends. Yes, completely free of charge! With the army of volunteers at each camp, children participants receive food, snacks, and beverages each day of the camp. In addition, all supplies, sports equipment, VBS materials, t-shirts, and even transportation, if necessary, are provided.
The army of volunteers I mentioned works very closely with small groups of children to introduce them to a variety of sports experiences—some very typical like soccer and basketball; some that may be entirely new experiences, such as golf, cheerleading, and lacrosse. Each great day of camp ends with a VBS component, a precious time with the children, teaching them about Jesus and His unending love for them and their families. The camp wraps up with a celebration party for campers and families.
Please prayerfully consider continuing to financially support this vital ministry to a very special group of God’s children. If you have not supported this ministry in the past, this is a great year to begin.
The cost to sponsor one child continues to be $55. Two children is $110; $550 sponsors ten children; and $1,100 sponsors twenty. Please sponsor as many children as you are able, and in doing so, help the pastors and volunteers make a difference in the lives of hundreds of children this summer, and in some cases, by God’s grace, an eternal difference for them and their families.
Please kindly respond soon on the response form below or online. If you are interested in being a volunteer for one or more of the sports camps, please check the box on the response form and we will be in touch with you.
Thank you again for your prayerful consideration and generous response as you help to make our 2019 camps program a reality, making the words of Mark 10:14 ring true for many children. Please know you are a wonderful blessing to those who will attend a camp.
In shared service and love for those who are least among us,
Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier, President
Michigan District, LCMS
P.S. As Sports Camp/VBS gifts are received, if the A2E ministry is blessed to receive sponsorships that exceed the number needed to sponsor every child, any exceeding funds will go towards the general support of the A2E urban ministry.
