In early June, 11 Charis churches gathered for the fifth annual Ignite Camp. The camp began in 2021 when four youth pastors came together to create a camp experience for middle school students. The camp has grown from 87 students and four churches to nearly 200 students and 11 churches.
“Ignite exists to reach middle schoolers for the Gospel and we do that through biblical fun and biblical relationship,” said Nick Mazza, pastor at Bellefontaine Grace Church. “Every year it always astounds me how God is so faithful in His mission, and how He uses middle schoolers to advance the Gospel!”
The camp was held at Heartland Retreat Center in Marengo, Ohio, and the space was well-suited for a robust camp experience. The property included a swimming pool, fishing pond, mud pit, campfires, and athletic fields. Campers enjoyed planned activities utilizing the spaces as well as free time to build relationships with one another.
Each year the theme of the camp focuses on building a solid foundation of faith in a way that ignites a desire in students to continue to pursue Jesus and know Him better. This year the theme was “By Faith” with an emphasis in Hebrews 11. In addition to the main speaker Josiah Bogue, students heard from pastors Tim Smith, Blake Cruise, Dave Nicodemus, and Nick Mazza during main sessions. The group also had a “Guys’ Night” and “Girls’ Night” that was facilitated by various youth leaders and volunteers, helping students know what it means to live by faith as young men and women of God.
Program Directors Ben and Hannah Campbell said, “Ignite Camp creates a unique opportunity to toss the normality of life to the side while giving new adventures and avenues in which Christ can reveal Himself. It is also a wonderful tool that allows the leaders from a church the opportunity to connect with their students on a deeper level that they might not have at home. It is a blessing to see the faithfulness of God working through Ignite Camp and the faithfulness of the leaders towards their students.”
Among the students who attended, 30 of them made first-time decisions to follow Jesus. Many others made decisions to walk away from various sins and to prioritize their relationship with Jesus.
Dave Nicodemus, pastor at Grace Polaris Church, said, “In just a few short years, Ignite Camp has grown from a dream to a highlight that our middle schoolers are looking forward to all year long. And as we look ahead to year six, we’re already beginning to see it as a way to engage former campers who are now in high school as counselors and volunteers…they can’t wait to come back to camp!”
