Unlike Any Other Place

Camp Nathanael’s model of ministry, discipleship and leadership development reflects the way the Apostle Paul developed leaders. In Acts and in Paul’s letters we read about a continual flow of coworkers, companions and fellow travelers. He modeled ministry for them, drew them into his work, and gave them genuine leadership responsibilities. Certainly he was preparing them in formal ways, but also by simply living life together. Paul challenged Timothy to do the same when he said “…the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2.2) And Jesus taught his followers in the same way.

This happens continually at Nathanael. Moment by moment, year by year, and even generationally. At any given time during a day at camp we see staff members in mentor meetings with noncoms, experienced noncoms demonstrating skills to newer noncoms, cabin leaders modeling leadership for assistant cabin leaders, Legacy noncom candidates leading training sessions for other noncoms, morning devotions in the gazebo led by staff and then by noncoms themselves. The examples would fill this page. It’s a model of training and discipleship that is Biblical, shapes lives and builds strong leaders.

We’ve seen the impact across generations. My years as a noncom and staff member at Nathanael shaped me and set the course of my life. Several of our current board members were noncoms and staff members. Each summer we have lay counselors who were formerly noncoms who come back and build into the lives of current noncoms. Former noncoms and staff who bring their sons to father-son camps share their stories and offer counsel. All of this summer’s program staff members were noncoms who brought that training and preparation into their roles as leaders at camp.

Of course, the fruit of our investment in leadership development is the finest Christian camp for boys in the Upper Midwest. Parents frequently tell us that their sons’ connections with noncoms were the highlight of their week at camp.  Campers respect, admire and follow noncoms who offer their time, friendship and guidance. So the modeling, training and discipleship extends to campers, as well, continuing to flesh out Paul’s guidance to Timothy.

The wife of a former noncom/staff member offered this encouragement:

Nathanael is a safe, structured, yet fun environment where boys can be themselves and learn about Godly manhood. Years of this Camp Nathanael experience helped my husband become the amazing, Godly man he is today. Being real with other boys, learning many skills and most importantly, growing in faith, gave a depth to my husband's character that cannot be found often in our world today. Now I have the joy of watching him pass this legacy to our sons.