What does Children's Camps International do?

The ministry of Children's Camps International is really quite simple but yet the effects are so profound. CCI strives to help churches develop ministries of their own. These ministries focus on reaching out to children, youth and families - groups that are widely unreached in many countries and cultures.

How does CCI help churches develop effective ministries for children, youth and families

Step 1. Promote, develop and support youth leadership - In so many countries of the the world pastors struggle, often standing alone, to meet the spiritual needs of their community. That is why CCI strives to assist churches in training youth (approximate ages 16-25) to share responsibility for reaching out to the lost people that surround them.

Step 2. Develop effective, ongoing relational programs for children - It is often misunderstood because of the rapidly growing numbers of children attending our programs that children are led in a decision to follow Christ and then left unsupported in this decision. On the contrary, each child is invited to camp by caring church leaders. Next they have the opportunity to enjoy a week of camp where they are cared for in a small group. During this time they build strong relationships with leaders and peers through recreation and times of learning. Throughout the camp session they are introduced to the love of Christ through the personal example of their small group leaders and the rest of the camp staff. It doesn't end there! Campers are then invited by their leaders to attend weekly follow up programs that last the whole year through. As a result of the diligent work of indigenous leaders we are seeing lasting change in communities that once did not have the hope of the gospel.

Step 3. Reach to families of impacted children - It has been told to us on many occasions by indigenous pastors who have struggled for years to reach the adults in their community that those they worked hard to reach quickly came to Christ when they saw kindness shown to their children. Churches that run camps in partnership with CCI also take many opportunities to invite the families of their campers to attend a variety of events and programs where they too can be introduced to the love of Christ. Though we cannot offer statistics of the extended effects of camp we can tell countless stories of entire families coming to know the Lord as a result of the testimony of their children and the kindness shown to them by the local church.