BREAKAWAY from the Norm

A post written by T.C. Shippy, Rogers Ozone Director

Fall is upon us! It’s always amazing to see everything in nature begin to change. Many of our campers have never been out to Camp War Eagle other than the one or two weeks that they have been out in the summer. The change that happens out at camp in the off season goes unbeknownst to most of our students. Recently, we at CWE 365 had a Summit worship night for our high school students called Breakaway. High school students from all over NWA came out, had fellowship together, and worshipped God at a place that means so much to so many of them.

This amazing night started out with good eats at the Crafts Center. Students spanning from Fayetteville to Bentonville got a chance to reconnect with one another and talk about their lives since camp while munching on some grilled hamburgers. After the meal, they made their way down to the tennis courts. To get things moving a little bit, they played a hybrid game of tennis and volleyball called Fish Ball. For a lot of the students, this was the first time they had ever played the game, but the tournament was a fun time, filled with classic camp music and beginner Fish Ball skills.

After playing a few rounds, students began to settle down and gather into small groups. During small group time, they talked about what worship means. This was a fulfilling time for many students because they learned worship is not just a one time act of singing songs, but it is an ongoing act that involves their entire lives. Worship is something that they can experience together with other believers, and our students experienced that reality.

They then walked down to the cross, one of the most beautiful and scenic places at CWE. They prayed over the coming time of worship as they walked through camp. They made their way to an overlook of the lake and a giant cross, where students were able to sit down right as the Sun had set. They sang to God songs of praise for all of His wondrous acts. With the accompaniment of a guitar, the students joined in singing songs together. As they continued to worship, Erin Wiltse spoke to the students about why they sing and the importance of worship in their everyday life. They finished singing about the goodness and greatness of God, which ended the night.

For our students, Camp War Eagle is a special place where they came to know the Lord or grew significantly in their faith. To have such a special night at such a special place meant so much to these students. To be reminded that all of the experiences, friendships, and fun that CWE 365 offers revolves around God and having a relationship with him was refreshing for our students. God is so wonderful and is still working amazing things through camp and its students.