Developing a Heart and Mind for Christ
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T BAR M CAMPS 2020 PLAYBOOK PRAYER FOR T BAR M CAMPS 2020 SUMMER STAFF “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20, 21 Heavenly Father, we look to be amazed at all You will do this summer. May Your grace and favor fill us daily; may Your love and goodness satisfy our hearts; may Your wisdom and understanding guide our words, thoughts and actions; may Your kindness and faithfulness flow through each of us; may the righteousness of Christ take hold of us; may Your power be at work within each and every one of us serving for Your honor and glory throughout all generations. Thank You Father for calling this summer camp staff to connect others to You. Thank You for this opportunity and to be a part of changing someone’s forever. We ask this all in the matchless name of your Son, Jesus Christ! Amen and Amen 1 WELCOME TO T BAR M Since you may or may not know much about T Bar M, let us introduce ourselves. In the summer, we are a sports camp, a waterfront adventure camp, a day camp, a family camp, as well as a retreats program serving drill teams and a variety of other groups. We have been offering summer camps in New Braunfels since 1982, in Spicewood since 1997 and on church properties since 2015. For the remainder of the year, T Bar M is a retreat and conference center serving corporate, governmental and church groups. T Bar M opened its gates in 1981. We are an inter-denominational Christian camp. We provide our campers the opportunity to grow physically, spiritually and relationally. We are committed to friendship evangelism. Living with our campers day-in and day-out provides many opportunities to get to know the campers and for them to get to know us. This opens the door to be heard with the Gospel. We hope that friendship evangelism is exciting to you because that’s where the rubber meets the road at T Bar M. The following biblical doctrines are the foundation of our faith. These are the doctrines we seek to share relationally with each and every camper. We ask you to be in agreement with us. WE BELIEVE: All scripture is God-breathed. Men of God moved by the Holy Spirit wrote the words of the sixty-six books of the Bible. The whole Bible is without error in the original manuscripts and therefore, authoritative in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21) God eternally exists in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are the one God. (Matthew 28:18-19, Deuteronomy 6:4) Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary. He is the true God and true man. (Luke 1:30-35, John 1:18, Hebrews 4:15) God originally created man in His own image; through sin man fell and lost his spiritual life becoming dead in his sin and subject to the power of Satan. Thus man is in need of salvation. (Genesis 1: 27, Genesis 3:1-24, Ephesians 2:1-2) In response to man’s need, God the Father sent Jesus to this world to make atonement for sin. His substitutionary death on the cross and His bodily resurrection from the dead provide the basis for salvation. His atonement is sufficient for all, yet efficient only for those who believe. (John 3:16-17, 1 Timothy 2:3-6, Mark 10:45) Salvation for man comes only by grace through faith in Jesus and His provision on the cross. Since salvation is a gift from God a believer is secure forever. (Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 11:29) The Holy Spirit indwells every believer at the time of conversion. His baptism unites all believers to Christ in one body. He is the believer’s source of power for all acceptable worship and service. (1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 5:18-20, Ephesians 4:7-16) It is God’s will for believers to live a holy life in cooperation with the indwelling Holy Spirit while putting to death the deeds of the flesh. God the Father does discipline His children when they sin. (1 Thessalonians 4:3, Romans 8:13, Hebrews 12:4-11) The primary purpose in the life of the believer is to glorify God in everything and to make Christ known to the unbelieving world until His return. (Colossians 3:23-24, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis. 1:26-27) 2 God created marriage to be exclusively the union of one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union. (Genesis 2:18-25, 1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4) All human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139) This belief statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God speaking with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Center for Christian Growth’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Trustees is Center for Christian Growth’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application. OUR VISION, MISSION, & CORE VALUES OUR PURPOSE: (why do we exist) To honor God, To bring glory to Him alone OUR VISION: (our aspirations and what the destination looks like) Changing Your Forever OUR CALLING: (being used by God, Matthew 28, by) Encouraging and equipping one another to wholeheartedly love God and love others through sport /adventure camps and retreats empowering those we serve to be champions and ambassadors for Christ impacting the world OUR CORE VALUES: (Values that we’ll go to the mat for) It’s all about His kingdom (not ours), it’s by His power (not ours), and it’s for His glory (not ours) Matthew 6:13 God’s truth, practiced in relationships and conduct 2 Timothy 3:16 Each of us personally growing in wisdom, physical fitness, relationally, and spiritually Luke 2:52 Christ-centered adventure Colossians 3:17 Servant leadership Philippians 2:1-11 Excel still more 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Have fun along the journey! John 10:10 DON’T WASTE FUN! 3 OUR MISSION THE MISSION OF T BAR M CAMPS IS TO PRESENT JESUS CHRIST, TEACH HIS WAYS AND REPRESENT HIM THROUGH AN EXCITING, ENTHUSIASTIC AND ENCOURAGING CAMP AND RETREAT EXPERIENCE. STEP 1: PRESENT JESUS We will introduce our guests to our Savior, Jesus Christ. It might be for the first time or a reminder…it might be in a new way or old tradition…it might be through friendship evangelism or a formal talk…it might be direct or subtle…it might be to a believer or non-believer…it might be on campus or on the road…it might be verbally or by behavior…it might be a taste or a full meal. STEP 2: TEACH HIS WAYS His offer of salvation, love of neighbor, respect for one another and the world we live in. We will teach about the abundant life, life in the Spirit, and the life of Christ. It will be by words, deeds, and complete lives. At Camps, it will be in formal Bible studies, camper-coach relationships, and Team Meetings. In Retreats, it will be through life lessons, respecting each other, discerning communication, and servant leadership. On the Timothy Team, it will be through discipleship and life lived alongside one another. It will be about and from the Word. We will use every method and every opportunity available. STEP 3 (WITHIN STEPS 1&2): REPRESENT HIM “Re-present” Jesus Christ. We have initially presented Christ to our guests...we have taught them about Him...now we will represent Him. Our actions, our words, our very person, represent Christ in all we do. This holds our organization, staff, and programming to a higher point of accountability...one that models Jesus. EXCITING Cutting edge fun, stimulating activities, inspiring programs. The experience our guests have is like none other. What we do has a “WOW!” to it. ENTHUSIASTIC “God within”…the staff is compelled by the Spirit within them to radiate His fruit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… It is in the way we deliver the message…there is no “sitting back and watching,” it is seeing the fun of living for Christ, always ready to serve, anticipating eagerly the next thing, a fervent interest in each person. A passionate, whole-hearted, spirit-lifting approach to life. ENCOURAGING The experience guests have through T Bar M will give them the courage to follow God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.