Summer 2025 Wrap Up!

August 2025

WHEW! WHAT A SUMMER!!!

As we take some time to reflect on what the Lord led us to experience this Summer, I can’t help but remember my first time going to Camp….

It was the Summer of 1988- Family Camp at Springs of Life. I’ll never forget how my life would be forever impacted by those sweet summer nights. Immersed in the intentionality of people who didn’t just love me for that week, but loved me enough to make me ponder my eternity. Because I was exposed to those conversations in my youth, I looked at the world from a different perspective as I “grew up”. Looking back at my lowest moments, I can say with confidence, “I was never alone”.

Today, as I look around from the peak of this spiritual mountain top, I can clearly see God’s favor and goodness over and over again in my life. The undeniable truth: GOD IS REAL.

You prayed, God answered…. With around 400 campers crossing the bridge over the creek throughout Summer 2025, there was no shortage of “God Moments”!

While each of the 4 weeks brought a different flavor of Camping Ministry, every one was on fire to lead campers to a relationship with Jesus.

Here are just a few of highlights:

WEEKS 1 & 4:

Calvary Chapel Lynchburg

CHAPEL FOCUS

Week 1: The Life of David and Week 4: Parables of Jesus.

We welcomed a brand new church to Patrick Springs for 2 weeks of Camp this year! One week was for High Schoolers and the other was Middle Schoolers.

It was clear to us that CCL has a firm grasp on pursuing a discipleship-culture at home. The worship we experienced during these two weeks was at another level!

WEEK 2 :

Adventure Camp for Christ (AWANA Camp)

CHAPEL FOCUS

Special Speaker: Nathan Cravatt (Hope Church Network) - The Great Adventure; Proverbs 3:5-6

Once again, Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue were on hot pursuit for the title of winning team! While game-times were certainly a highlight, it was the scripture memory and Bible quizzing that really attracted the attention of this group of Campers.

ACFC Staff members were all over searching for opportunities to teach campers a variety of life-lessons! Then there was Pastor Nathan who brought a stellar Chapel series around the Great Adventure that keyed in on these 4 points: 1) Look Up (to God); 2) Look Around (at Sin’s impact); 3) Look Down (humbly at Christ’s Sacrifice); and 4) Look In (what’s My Response).

Over the years, the constant reminder to “Look Up” has been an intentional rhythm for us when our circumstances seem louder than the reality that God is in control of all things!

WEEK 3 :

God Built Character (Gospel Baptist Church - Archdale)/ Legacy Week

CHAPEL FOCUS

Tick-Tock: Ephesians 5:16

A play on words around a popular social media platform, this week’s Chapel was geared around familiar topics presented by a variety of speakers from across the Legacy Camp Week network. It was great to see campers and counselors come together from formerly separate 3 groups spanning LOTS of miles and ministries!

With bigger groups always comes no shortage of unplanned curveballs, but the good news: God is ALWAYS prepared! While the week was full of energy and excitement, a favorite quote of Summer 2025 came right before the talent show:

“Attention Counselors: Please search your Bibles and folders for blank Camper Decision Cards. We have officially run out of decision cards this week!”

Here’s a little of what’s been going on since our last week of Summer Camp:

MANNAFESTVA 2025

Serving alongside intentional families in our local community, we saw over 500 people lift up the name of Jesus together in one night! Follow THIS LINK for the MANNAFESTVA website and stay tuned for updates!

Springs of Life Camp’s: Creekside Kitchen

Some of our most rewarding conversations happen at the dinner table, and sometimes they happen from a bag-chair at a local church Homecoming! Its our privilege to be equipped to serve alongside local church families for a variety of functions and celebrations!

Weekend Retreats

In addition to Summer Bible Camp’s, Springs of Life serves as a center for retreats and conferences. We are already in the swing of a full retreat schedule for Fall and Winter! Contact Us to inquire about your own retreat or conference.

Coffee Ministry

You probably already knew this, but we launched an all new outreach ministry last year that centers around advancing the Gospel through the networking power of fresh roasted coffee. CLICK HERE to learn more about some of our all new ministry labels!

Here’s a list of things for you to pray with us about as we look ahead to 2026:

Membership Board Meeting

Friday, September 19, 2025 is our next Membership Meeting. Please pray over leaders from local churches, organizations, and individual families who oversee the future of Springs of Life Camp as we prepare for the next ministry season!

CLICK HERE if you are interested in learning more about the membership relationship.

Focus on the Swimming Pool

One of our big discussion points for next month’s meeting is around this former fixture. During early surveys for the Nehemiah Project, we discovered that the mineral springs have found their way underneath the pool creating some major foundational and safety issues. Please pray for the Lord’s financial provision along with the right specialists to help oversee this project.

The Student Dormitory: DOWNSTAIRS

We were SOOO close to finishing the downstairs before the Grand Re-Opening, but the Lord had other plans. Although this reality resulted in campers getting turned away from being a part of Summer Camp, we are convinced His ways are perfect.

While most of the infrastructure materials are already onsite, please pray with us around the provision of HVAC, and beds with mattresses. Be on the look-out for more specifics to come.

Springs of Life Camp’s: Online Emporium

Sometimes items are donated to Camp with the tag-line “you should sell this on eBay”. CLICK HERE for this online fundraising platform that’s been designed to be a centralized place for large items, treasures, and other things that have been donated to raise funds for the restoration of Springs of Life Camp!

Note: Since we don’t want to be a warehouse during Summer Camp all prices are negotiable, so please reach out if there is something that catches your eye!

Springs of Life Camp’s: Online Store

Have you seen this year’s t-shirts? Now you can order as many as you want directly from our website!

CLICK HERE to check-out a variety of t-shirts, fresh-roasted coffee, and other cool Springs of Life Camp merch!

On behalf of the entire Summer Camp 2025 Ministry Team:

Thank you for your prayers this summer! And a GIANT THANK YOU to everyone who gave towards stocking the Creekside Cafe (the Snack Shop), who came to help us clean the dorms in between weeks, and for everyone who was a part of the lawncare and maintenance service teams during throughout this season of ministry!

Thank you for your continued prayer and financial support towards the variety of ministry opportunities at Springs of Life Camp!

Please contact us to arrange a visit to Patrick Springs to see all that the Lord has accomplished in the facility restoration!