I had the privilege of visiting two different youth camps in the state of Ohio (Bowling Green and Holland), each run by Christ in Youth.
My friend Jasper Rutherford generously invited me to come along, together with three of his European staff serving with CIY.
Being in a room with 2000 and in the second one with 1500 excited American teenagers has been super fun and so uplifiting. The energy, the way they race to the stage for worship, the way they open up and respond to invitations, and the way they open their Bibles and take notes brought tears to my eyes several times.
And then I know again why I love youth work and love encouraging leaders who engage with young people. There is nothing better!
Christ in Youth started in the US, but about six years ago, also opened a European HQ in Ireland under the leadership of brilliant Jasper.
CIY USA reaches 85,000 young people each year who attend their camps, most of which take place in the summer. They offer a programme for primary school children called “Superstart”, “Mix” for 11-13-year-olds and “Move” for 13-16-year-olds. Move is their largest programme with 60,000 in attendance.
Sometimes up to 7 camps run parallel with 2000-3000 young people at each across the nation. They prefer doing it more intimately, so you can still engage with the youth pastors and volunteers who bring along their young people. Some churches bring more than 1000 in one go, but the average is often 25 young people from one church.
Once again, I have been fascinated by the American church. There are things I am sceptical of, but what I so appreciate about them is their commitment to a young generation. For each 10 people, a volunteer from the church came along. So many of them meet a young person for coffee and discipleship once a week and do so for years. I have met real heroes this week and once again experienced the generousity of the American church.
And who says you have to be young and cool to do youth work? Being a youth worker or pastor is not just a stepping stone, it can be a lifelong calling.
Experiencing CIY staff, board members, contractors and volunteers in this regard has been extra special. Seeing Jasper and others loving young people from the stage and in between has been heartwarming, inspiring and fun. What stood out to me was the humbleness in the room. There were some big influential names coming to speak, but they were kind, humble, approachable and slept in the dorms like anyone else.
Having joined them on these camps and learning from them has been a huge delight. Some parts of my heart have fallen in love with the people and the organisation.
Check out Christ in Youth: https://www.ciy.eu/
As I had the opportunity to learn from CIY USA, let me share some of my learnings and observations, if you will:
- The camp lasts 4,5 days with 5 overnight stays
- Accommodation happens on college campuses which are rented out. Christian and other colleges which can house up to 3000 people, including their auditoriums, cafeteria etc. Everyone stays in the dorms
- The programme is created by a talented intergenerational team and then taken to all the various campuses, run everywhere in the same order, though with different bands, speakers and event teams
- Most camps are led by CIY staff, contractors and volunteers. All portray the same attitude of servanthood, passion for a young generation, a high commitment and willingness to do whatever it takes to cheer a young generation and call them to faith
- Some camps are franchised, meaning the concept and programme is taken by a denomination or a church offering their own camp in partnership with CIY, especially when they have a couple of thousand teenagers within their own church
- The mornings are more Bible teaching focused with the same speaker while the evenings have a different speaker each, often just flown in for that night but due to great briefings, it works great. It is engaging with Scripture and is creatively done involving video clips, games and worship (and little of Bethel or Hillsong…)
- In the evenings, young people are invited in responding to commit their lives to Jesus, to recommit, to decide for full-time ministry and to become kingdom workers. The way the responses are done, are highly creative giving the young ones the opportunity of being upright honest
- The afternoons offer a variety of sports and electives (workshops, seminars), one afternoon is free for the groups to do some fun things in the area
- On that afternoon, the meal is skipped and the money goes towards Project Y, placing strategic indigenous youth workers in Ireland
- Young people are invited on three evenings to partake in an offering raising money for youth work in Ireland and beyond. For each camp, depending on the size, an amount is chosen as a fundraising goal and each night new numbers are provided. On the last day, a young person volunteers to raise money that day with a simple box of Lucky Charms (cereal). The young man I met promised that if he would raise 2000 USD, he would get his head shaved, with 4000 USD, also his eyebrows. Well, he succeeded in raising 4300 US and Jasper was gracious enough, after the parents had given their permission, to only shave his head down to 10mm
- Selah and small group times: Twice a day, after the morning and evening session, the young people meet in small groups (about 10 in each, separated by gender) and have the opportunity to go deeper with each other. At the start of the morning group time they have about 30 min to spend a guided quiet time with well-prepared cards for each day, according to the theme
- T-shirts for each day: Each event staff/volunteer wears the same shirt that particular day, every day a different one according to the day´s them
- A second stage is set up directly engaging with the audience is used for games and fun interactions trying everything to break the barriers between staff, volunteers and young people. Programme happens on it 30 min before the main sessions start
- The words “Kingdom workers” is often used, encouraging everyone to get involved in God´s Kingdom, not prioritizing the area you will be involved in but encourage that kingdom lifestyle
- Each morning is a briefing with all the group leaders to update them but also to hear from them about their experiences and how the young people encounter Jesus. Whatever material is needed through the day is passed on to them for their individual groups.
- Follow up: For the participants, a 21-day challenge has been created encouraging the young people to continue engaging with the word of God 21 days after the event. You can buy the booklet for 5 USD. Often churches buy it in bulks for their young people
- For the ones who made a commitment for full-time ministry, an elective is offered the following day helping them to take next steps like talking to their parents, youth workers etc. CIY develops a programme where young people are journeyed with over the next 6-8 months and will have a mentor from its church coming alongside them
- CIY understands itself as supporting the local church and champions it from the stage and throughout the event.
- CIY motto: We call youth to Christ and to lives of Kingdom work through his church
- Youth workers are honoured from the stage and in lots of sessions a young person is up on stage thanking their youth pastor/worker for his/her investment and it often comes as a surprise to that person
- Spanning generations: CIY has been so faithful in their commitment that many of the youth pastors and workers who brought groups have themselves been participants in these youth camps. Sometimes three generations present.
I love the intentionality, the purposefulness, the compassion and the heartbeat I have experienced at these CIY camps.
Has any of you ever participated in a CIY camp in the States or in Ireland?
I pray that some of the ideas and values, the intentionality etc. will also serve our young people in Europe. Praying for Jasper and the team as they seek to grow this in Europe. If you are interested in exploring more, do get in touch!