January 17, 2007

Nikki Hiers


Lurecrest has been a part of my life since 1999. That first summer I was scared to death. I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know who God was or this gospel that was so amazing. I grew up in a broken home and there was always drugs and alcohol around. After basically raising myself and my little brother coming to camp breathed new life into me. I tasted something and it filled me up! Over the years I grew and chased after Jesus as much as one could without guidance or a strong church to go home to. I always looked forward to the summer. I knew it would be great and I’d get to hang out with my best friend, Jesus. After becoming a staff member my life radically changed. I began to realize that Jesus doesn’t stay at camp and I can follow Jesus wherever…not just on the mountain for 3 months. I ‘ve learned that being a Christian is about having a relationship with the creator of the universe…WOW! Its not about what I do or don’t do. His last words were “It is finished.” The price was paid for me and so I am free! I think one of the most freeing and encouraging phrases I’ve heard at camp was “ when he looks at you he sees righteousness and beauty.” To know that my Father thinks I’m beautiful and righteous among all my mess is breathtaking. I’ve learned forgiveness and grace. I’ve met some of the most amazing people and the best part is I get to call them my friends. Camp is a special place, a place to get away and be real. I know in my everyday life I don’t always do the right thing but I know my position with Christ will never change. Everyday we’re faced with decisions and whether we choose the right one or not I know that Christ is always there with unconditional love. My life is forever changed by stepping foot on that mountain and learning that I am worthy to be His daughter, gaining the confidence to go live in this world. I will always treasure the memories and friendships I made at camp.

By His Grace, I love your FACE!!!!
~Nikki ~ x-trainer/ counselor/ grunt worker/ parking lot coordinator

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January 14, 2007

Erin Weston


For me, working at Camp Lurecrest was all about radical risk-taking for Jesus. I was hesitant at first to work there because I didn’t know what to expect or how my friends and family would react to me working at a Christian camp for a whole summer. The more I grow in my walk, the more I realize that Jesus asks the impossible of us so that He can use us with our full dependence on Him. I battle with taking control of everything. I want to believe that God is just a nice comforter for when I mess up or am sad. Through His faithfulness I am realizing how truly broken people are—how broken I am. I do not often see myself or others as Christ does, and I am becoming convicted about living in His GRACE and not in my pride. Lurecrest is a place with a grace-centered atmosphere. The people are genuine and believe in Jesus with all of their hearts. We admit that we are sinners and do fall short on a daily basis, but our motives are sound and our hearts have been made pure and blameless through a deep-felt relationship with Christ. I am grateful that I got to spend a crazy summer with all of the kids and the staff and show them a little bit of who I am, but my favorite part was the way that I grew in my relationship of dependence on God that continues to develop today. My prayer is that Christians, especially in America, will realize the blessing it is to have the gospel at our bedside, to have prayer in our homes, and to live out life honoring one another, following the clear example Christ sets for us.

Erin Weston
Former Camper and Outdoor Adventure Staff

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January 12, 2007

Khenton Martin


Camp Lurecrest played a big role in showing me what Jesus did for me. For me it's acceptance. Often I can't hardly believe that amidst all my mess and short comings that God still has a completely open hand towards me. He loves me and considers me as one of his children because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This truth was taught to me at Camp Lurecurest during my four years on staff. I will never forget the friends, experiences, teaching, fun, challenges, and the many faces of youth that come through the cabin doors. All of which helped make it one of the greatest experiences of my life. What I will take away the most from it all is the fact that although I am more sinful than I will every really know, I am more loved than I will ever really understand.

Counselor Summers of 2001-2004

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Brooke Morton


I´ve been a Christian for a long time. The first years were perhaps void of any clear understanding of the true Gospel. The Gospel has shown me that it isn´t all about me. It is all about Jesus. The Gospel is saturated in grace. A few years back I learned some foundational truth about grace as staff at Camp Lurecrest. It has been building since then. God showed me that I have built my life on a mountain of works where I was getting higher and higher and thus more proud as the result of each new "accomplishment." I panicked when He showed me that I had built my life and worth on what I can and can't do. I felt as if I were staring off the cliff of a mountain, knowing the only way off a life of works was to jump and trust God to catch me. I was terrified and mystified, but overwhelmed with gratitude that my Daddy brought me to that place just at the right time. He caught me and has given me such a desire to dwell on grace and learn about the Gospel and Christianity through the eyes of grace. I would say I am such a baby of the Good News. Although I am still struggling with striving at times, God is faithful to bring me back to the knowledge that He loves me because I am His. I am the daughter of the Most High King wearing righteousness because of what Jesus did for me at the cross. He chose me, He has equipped me for everything I need for life and godliness, and He is in perfect control. The Gospel..that Jesus has done it all and paid my ransom is continually transforming me. I look at sin differently. Without Jesus I would be so utterly hopeless. Even if I were Jewish in the times before our Savior came, I would have to make sacrifice upon sacrifice and be killing thousands of sheep per year (read Leviticus). I take sin so lightly..when our God paid the highest price imaginable to wash us clean. I didn´t do a thing to deserve it. Wow..how merciful He is. Jesus died as obedience to His Father and opened a door for us to enter into indelible intimacy with our Creator! YES! We have all we really need and much much more in the saving, redemptive, complete work of the Gospel! I am thus amazed and now can glorify my King with worship that is acceptable. Not a life of striving works, but a life of rest and works that are a result of Christ´s compelling Gospel of grace alone. Staffing at Camp Lurecrest was like finding a precious gift that God had been giving freely all along. Camp Lurecrest serves as a clear and beaming arrow to the simple, glorious message of the Gospel. I am so thankful for the obedience of the leadership and the beautiful zeal they have for reaching countless people with the truth. So, now I can bring it to the Nations!

Love you guys,
Brooke Nicole Morton: )
-staff in 2003 and 2004
-missionary in Norway and Brasil

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January 11, 2007

A Poem on Law & Gospel




Ralph Erskine, The Beauties of Erskine, 1745

The law supposing I have all,
Does ever for perfection call;
The gospel suits my total want,
And all the law can seek does grant.

The law could promise life to me,
If my obedience perfect be;
But grace does promise life upon
My Lord's obedience alone.

The law says, Do, and life you'll win;
But grace says, Live, for all is done;
The former cannot ease my grief,
The latter yields me full relief.

The law will not abate a mite,
The gospel all the sum will quit;
There God in thret'nings is array'd
But here in promises display'd.

The law excludes not boasting vain,
But rather feeds it to my bane;
But gospel grace allows no boasts,
Save in the King, the Lord of Hosts.

The law brings terror to molest,
The gospel gives the weary rest;
The one does flags of death display,
The other shows the living way.

The law's a house of bondage sore,
The gospel opens prison doors;
The first me hamer'd in its net,
The last at freedom kindly set.

An angry God the law reveal'd
The gospel shows him reconciled;
By that I know he was displeased,
By this I see his wrath appeased.

The law still shows a fiery face,
The gospel shows a throne of grace;
There justice rides alone in state,
But here she takes the mercy-seat.

Lo! in the law Jehovah dwells,
But Jesus is conceal'd;
Whereas the gospel's nothing else
But Jesus Christ reveal'd.

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