BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOR approximately five days, the St. Pauls Sporting Complex was transformed into the home of about 80 children and leaders who were participants of the third annual Camp Joshua.
The brainchild of co-founder of the Joshua Ministries International (JMI), Pastor Karen England, Camp Joshua 2011 was designed to be an outlet through which campers and leaders can enjoy each other’s company in an atmosphere of fun, fellowship and camaraderie while being provided with spiritual leadership and impartation.
Hosting some 66 children from across the islands of St. Kitts and Tortola, the camp began on Thursday (July 28) and ran until August 2.
It featured a number of exciting activities including a tour around the island, a sports day, a Bible Pageant and culminated with a farewell dinner.
The theme for Camp Joshua 2011 was based on Galatians 5:22 which focuses on the “Fruit of the Spirit”.
Daily, both leaders and campers were reminded of the importance of bearing and exuding the Fruit of the Spirit (meekness, faith, temperance, love, joy etc) as opposed to manifesting the works of the flesh.
Officially ending on August 2, the contingent from Tortola, left the island the following day bound for their home territory, where they arrived safely.
Pastor England, in an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, said lives were changed and people were delivered during the camp. She noted that it was a success, more so than the previous two.
“This third camp was an even greater success where we have seen lives being changed. We saw children crying out to God and there was a real outreach by the campers to learn more about God. Even with the leaders on the camp, we saw God doing something in them where, as we began having our daily devotions, we saw things unfolding and people really got their breakthrough. So we really can say that it was a real real success.
“Besides the fun, the main aim of the camp was to win souls and to see lives change. Even if you are a Christian, we wanted to see you remain in God and excel in God, not just coming to church and being the norm but to be more advanced in the things of the Kingdom.”
Co-founder of JMI Apostle Glen England also hailed Camp Joshua 2011 a success. He described some of the life-changing events which transpired and the positive reports of change which parents of the campers have since reported.
“I believe God wanted to show us that He is the God of yesterday, today and forever more. He is the God of the impossible. We put certain things in place and planned certain activities for the camp, but God turned things around and the focus was more on deliverance. We saw persons delivered from demonic possession…God gave us the authority to get them out. We also saw children getting their deliverance. So, I believe Camp 2011 was a successful camp. We had lots of fun but we had great spiritual impartation…
“We had other young people from different churches who are saying their lives have been touched, and parents are coming to us and telling us that they are seeing different behaviours from their children. Parents are saying that children who used to be isolated and rude are now exhibiting change.”
Apostle England – who already seems excited about Camp Joshua 2012 – said he believes it would be a time of “refreshing” and campers from other islands are expected to attend.
“We really want to thank all the persons and all the businesses who came aboard and gave their money, goods, time and everything else to Joshua Camp. They are too numerous to mention but we want to let you know that you gave into a good cause, the Kingdom of God. As Paul said, because you have given to our necessities, the Lord shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. We release it in Jesus name.”
