CAMP? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO UK & IRELAND IN THIS EDITION

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1 Reaching Children: Serving Churches IN THIS EDITION SUMMER CAMPS SCOTLAND ENGLAND EIRE NORTHERN IRELAND UNSUNG HEROES EUROPEAN CONFERENCE BCM THEN BCM NOW HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO CAMP? This year marks the 30th year I have been involved in one role or another in camp with BCM UK. I wonder if you have ever thought about what happens before, during and after camp? Have you ever wondered about why we keep doing it, despite it being a lot of hard work? I hope this magazine gives you a flavour of the many reasons BCM has children and young people s camping programmes at the heart of their ministries. Camp is a temporary Christian community set up to share God s love with people in any and every way sensible and in a fun environment. We eat together, do tasks together, sleep in the same campus, study the Bible together, sing together (or in my case make a joyful noise while others sing). We play games, learn new hobbies, rise to new challenges, use our imaginations and most of all see that God loves us by the way we are treated by the fabulous volunteers and BCM staff God places in our teams. Liz Marr Clyde Valley and Anchor Trust

2 Scotland Running a Teen camp and a Junior camp on the same site and at the same time worked really well. The programmes were completely separate but we shared meal times and the daily themes. This did lead to a busy camp. Message from editor Putting together a magazine like this is a joy and a challenge but we want to make it relevant to you who support us in prayer and giving. If there is something we have talked about and you would like an update (even from years ago) or something in particular you would like us to tell you about please let us know. I can be contacted on liz.marr@bcm.org.uk. I would love to hear from you. We took the theme Brave this year and had a Scottish element about most of the things we did. Our Bible teaching was based on the life of Peter. Many campers testified about the things they had learned about being bold and coming back from defeat to receive God s forgiveness. At the Junior camp fire many shared their faith stories. The teens really enjoyed the team building program put on by the rangers in a local park, they even went back for raft building the following day. Other challenges including a midnight swim were included in the programme. We cannot thank the staff enough who gave up holidays to come and work at camp, to share their faith, enthusiasm and sometimes sleep. The blessings still go on. One parent said her child told her he did not want to come home, another thanked us for the teaching and care her children had enjoyed. BCM ANNOUNCES THE DATES FOR SUMMER CAMP 2016 We are pleased to say that we have placed our booking with the Windmill centre for camp The dates for camp next year will be the 2nd till the 8th July. If numbers of bookings are

3 larger than last year we may also consider a small overflow camp. SAVING SCHEME For many parents it is a big investment in their children s future to send them to camp. While we know a child will develop socially, physically and spiritually at camp, many parents find the cost prohibitive. So this year we plan to run a savings scheme where any parent may pay a small amount each week/month towards camp fees. Please contact any if you feel this. SPONSORED PLACES A few of our campers this year received help paying their fees. This was largely because of the generosity of churches and individuals. If you gave, let us thank you sincerely and say that without the support of those who give and pray, camp could not function. In 2016 we will face similar problems as many of the children we minister to come from deprived backgrounds. Their parents have to make difficult decisions about what they spend money on. If you would like to help us make that burden easier for those who really need it, then you could give towards the cost of a child going to camp. Please contact our treasurer if God lays it on your heart to give. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. EPhESIAnS 2 : 8-9

4 no camp is complete without good banter and we definitely had that this year. Both campers and leaders caused a great deal of hilarity and made camp a highlight of our summer. With good times like wet and wild and our super water fight where we played water games made this England This year s camp was held in Barton near Weston in August it was our first adventure into joint Junior and Teen camp the same week. camp one to remember. Throughout the week we all grew closer together and made some friendships that we are sure will be long lasting. Campers and leaders alike stepped out of their comfort zones and dared to try things they hadn t before. The theme being superheroes meant we encouraged this all week in everyone. We integrated the camps in some areas, such as hobbies, which meant leaders got to know both the younger and older campers. We baked, learned to play chess, putting and do loom bands among other things. We rotated these activities so we got

5 to know many others. In other areas such as Bible teaching we learnt in our age groups. With these camps being integrated we saw many different styles of leading and working together. While this camp was very enjoyable it was a great learning experience for all involved. So whilst we served we were also served. The most exciting part of the week was Christmas in August as we looked at the ultimate superhero in Jesus. The youngsters woke up to typical Christmas morning with decorations and carol singing. We had presents and Christmas dinner and a party in the afternoon. It was lovely to do this without the commercial hype that happens in December so we saw the true meaning of Christmas. Pray for us as we plan next year s camp and that it will be just as, if not more enjoyable than this one. Thank you for praying for us this year and for your continuing support.

6 Eire JUNIOR CAMP: Well, it was a bit of a rocky road to junior camp this year!! We were short some leaders, and five of the leaders we did have needed to pull out for various reasons. It was a case where we needed to fully rely on God to provide the leaders he needed for his camp. And how our God always provides! Looking back after camp has finished, I can clearly see why he gave us the leaders we had. From children who were homesick, to some who were, to put it politely, excitable and full of energy (!!!) the leaders we had were patient, caring, and loving. They were great ambassadors for Christ for the whole week. We started off each day praying for each other, the children and for the day ahead, and ended each day praying for each other, the children and a good night sleep for all! To have a team of leaders who were so dedicated was such a blessing and made my job as director a joy. The 44 children between 8-11yrs old loved every minute of camp. From canoeing to competitions, waterslides to worship, talent shows to teaching. We had charades, plate spinning and crafts; Bible times, small group times and evening specials! God blessed and taught us all about just how much he loves us right where we are. It was a privilege and a humbling honour to work with Our Father teaching and loving his precious children. YOUTH CAMP: Youth camp has been a great week for teenagers from around the country to enjoy time away from the pressures of everyday life. Our campers engaged with the excellent morning and evening teaching slots and with the help of their leaders, looked at how to apply what was learned and experienced for life back home. It was a truly great week, enjoyed by all. We pray it has eternal significance in the lives of all those who spent the week at Castledaly. We thank God for all he did through us and in us this week.

7 SENIOR CAMP: This year s Senior Camp was the largest BCM camp at Castledaly Manor since acquiring the centre five years ago. Sixty year olds from all over Ireland arrived on a typical rainy summer s day excited for the week ahead. God lifted the rain throughout the week however, just at the right time, to allow the campers to enjoy outdoor games, a trip to the local shop, canoeing, and the ever popular water-slide. The theme for the week was choices and our speaker, South African, Derick Stilwell, spoke engagingly about Biblical examples of both good and bad choices. he challenged the campers to consider the choices they have to make and the resulting consequences. It was so amazing to witness during the week, and hear later, that a number of the campers had made the ultimate choice to commit their lives to God. Let us give all the geirelory to him.

8 What a summer was had through the gates of Mullartown house! In our 39 years of running camps, this was the fullest summer we ve ever had we ran 7 weeks of camp, had 480 campers and over 140 staff. What a summer was had through the gates of Mullartown house! In our 39 years of running camps, this was the fullest summer we ve ever had we ran 7 weeks of camp, had 480 campers and over 140 staff. Our theme this summer was blast to the past. In our morning meetings at kids camps and family camp, we took the campers on an adventure in our time machine, to try and find Jesus, but the dials on the time machine were broke and so each day we ended up meeting a different person from the bible who had either been impacted by God or Jesus (Moses, David, Paul and naomi), and then on the Northern Ireland final morning we asked the time machine, not to take us to meet Jesus, but to take us to the most important day in history, and it took us to the cross where Jesus had just died and we met the roman soldier who was deeply moved by everything that he had just witnessed, and our talk on the Friday was how we don t have to actually meet Jesus in order for him to make an impact and difference in our life! At our Junior teens and Senior teens camps, we really focused on Jesus, and who Jesus really is! And the big thing that really came from it was not to separate our daily lives and our spiritual lives, we need to be all in and all one for Christ! We really did have 7 extremly successful weeks of summer camp, and something we are always thankful for here at Mullartown are our amazing team in the kitchen, they are always the first up in the mornings, and no matter what is asked of them they do it will a great big smile. Cooking for 100 people is never an easy task, but we can 100% say every meal that was ate this summer was absolutely delicious, honestly thank you to all our amazing cooks and helpers! The feedback we have had since summer camp has been great, below are a couple of quotes! Mum of 8 year old camper - David loved week 4 kids camp, and was really affected by all hear heard and done, his dorm leader encouraged him to read the book of mark after camp, and David has been doing just that! Thank you for all you do at Mullartown! Summer camp leader Such an amazing week at Mullartown house with our God who is so so powerful and faithful! Don t just survive in this life, conquer it

9 in Jesus name Girl helping do dishes Loved the past week with these AMAZInG people serving a more AMAZInG God! They have never made washing dishes more fun in my life! Senior Teens 2015 you did not disappoint! Learning to put God in my everyday and knowing that he is in control was exactly what I needed to hear before going back to school! Parent of kid from week 5 kids camp Glad to have Abi home after another brilliant week at Mullartown house! She had a total ball as well as being inspired and challenged. Thank you so much to all the leaders and cooks. You all looked like you had a great time and have given my kids fabulous role models to follow. Thanks again. All in all, campers lives were challenged and changed this summer, so much fun and laughter was had in the midst of the madness that camp brings, and leaders stepped out of their comfort zones, and allowed God to work through their lives and in their lives! We couldn t have asked God to bless us anymore this summer, and are endlessly thankful that God allowed us to be part of all that went on here at Mullartown this summer! God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in them 1 John 4:16

10 BCM UK RESPONSE FORM I would like to help BCM reach more children with God's word and support its missionaries in their valuable work. - Please find enclosed a cheque for... payable to 'BCM UK'. - I am a UK Taxpayer and wish BCM UK to reclaim tax on this and my future gifts. I confirm that I pay at least as much income or capital gains tax as will be reclaimed by all charities on my donations in each tax year, including Community Amateur Sports Clubs. Please note that other taxes such as council tax and VAT do not qualify. - Please send me a standing order form to set up regular giving from my bank or building society to BCM UK. - I have arranged to leave BCM UK a legacy. - Please send me details of how I can leave BCM UK a legacy. name... Address Telephone Any further comments

11 BCM UK Praising our unsung heroes "Often the people who work in the office go unnoticed as they do less "exciting" jobs. Here's info about two of BCM heroes." The BCM UK office is based at our BCM centre in the seaside resort of Weston-super- Mare. The team who run our UK office are Alan Thomas, Finance Officer and Rosemary hyde, Administrator. however the office is only staffed on Thursdays and so if you phone our office number , you may find the phone being answered by Dorothy Armstrong one of our trustees from northern Ireland, as outside office hours calls are redirected to her mobile. One of the main responsibilities of the UK office is to manage the day to day finances of BCM UK. This includes making sure that gifts received for missionaries are passed on monthly and Gift Aid reclaimed where appropriate and passed on. We look after providing an allowance for our retired missionaries. Ensuring sufficient funds are available to provide for this, is a challenge to both Alan and the trustees, as they also seek to maintain and develop the ongoing ministry of BCM UK. At our centre in Weston, we run the Chatterboxes Pre School. There are 7 staff employed. Alan deals with the payment of wages and paying tax and national Insurance to hmrc. Whilst much of the funding comes from our local authority north Somerset Council, we do receive fees for additional sessions from some parents and this money has to be accounted for and banked. Alan also deals with the English camp finances, the fees and expenses at camp time. Our premises have needed a lot of maintenance work in recent years, Alan makes sure that contractors we use are paid promptly. There are a number of regular bills to pay for gas, electricity, phone/broadband, insurances, plus many other things to help in the running of BCM UK. Rosemary s jobs include making sure the paper filing is in order and up to date, sending thank you letters for gifts received in the post, purchasing anything required for the office, helping Alan when needed, dealing with the petty cash and doing the banking. She also touches up fencing, walls, window frames etc in the summer holidays to keep the outside premises looking fresh. The UK office holds a small stock of BCM Publications and CD's, additional stock is ordered from the USA office. As preparation for our annual accounts, Rosemary carries out an end of year stock take. As a registered charity we have to prepare Annual Published Accounts and file Annual Returns with the Charity Commission of England and Wales and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Alan forwards the end of year accounts to our accountant Avril McGrath, in northern Ireland. As part of the trustee's responsibilities for overseeing the work of BCM UK, Alan sends regular financial reports to them. Well, that s many of the jobs undertaken in the office. Alan and Rosemary are pleased to say that after 8 years of working together they are still on speaking terms!

12 BCM THEN, BCM NOW Almost 80 years ago the BCM family began as the Bible Club Movement. Since that time we have seen multiple generations of children, young people and adults changed by the Gospel through BCM people doing Bible-centered ministry. With more than 850 missionaries and countless volunteers, BCM now ministers in more than 50 countries on five continents. God has truly blessed us. Our new logo reflects who we are--- one family, an international, faith-based community focused on doing Bible-centered ministry. With a vision to reach children and strengthen the church, we evangelize, disciple, teach and train individuals to use Scriptures to bring light to a darkened world. Blessings, Blessings Marty BCM EUROPEAN CONFERENCE This year our BCM European family (and some visitors from USA) will gather in Castledaly Manor not far from Athlone in the Republic of Ireland. The conference starts on 20th Oct and ends 27th Oct. Castledaly is our BCM Ireland camp and conference centre which lies in a beautiful part of Eire (more or less the middle as you look at the map). It is easily accessible (if a bit of a drive) from the port and airport. Our Bible teacher will be Dave Clemens (who wrote Steps to Maturity for teens) and our evening sound bite speaker will be Steve Marr one of our BCM staff from Scotland. If you would like to attend the conference for all or part of the time please contact the office who will be delighted to help you with that. Our BCM UK and Ireland conference next year will be Thursday 8th September - Monday 12th September 2016 Please put this date in your diary to join us. Pray too as we think ahead and plan. BCM is a faith mission.the work is financed through free will offerings from faithful people whose hearts are touched by God. Any gifts can be sent to: BCM International UK (AnChOR) Trust, 39a Swiss Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 3AY. Tel office@bcm.org.uk Web-sites: See also BCM on Facebook BCM is a registered charity (England no Scotland no. SCO41111)