Northwestern College is hosting the Living Your Faith camp Jan. 28-30. Living Your Faith, or LYF, is a Christian training camp for high school students who have the desire to be brave and faithful followers of Jesus. This camp is for students pursuing leadership, ministry, missions, exploring questions about God and the Bible or thinking about studying religion in college. This growth happens through discovery, community and service.
Former LYF student, Faith Tyrell said, “My favorite part of the LYF experience was learning to live out and lead in my faith in ways that I had never thought possible.”
Students are given opportunities for discovery through lectures given by NW’s very own biblical and theological studies department. They explore a deeper sense of community through mentorship by NW students. The high school students will participate in various service projects and will be visiting the Genesis House in Orange Ccity to learn more about their ministry.
The camp is fully funded by the Lilly Endowment. LYF camp is free to students and includes room, board, field trips and access to campus facilities.
NW alumn, Elissa O’Dell ‘21, is the program director this year. After months of preparation, she is excited for this upcoming weekend.
O’Dell said, “I am most looking forward to seeing the mentor and high school student interactions. I hope there are great conversations, hard questions asked, and a fun time of fellowship.”
Mentorship is a fulfilling role for college students to pour into the life of high school students. College students are in a unique position to be able to provide experiential advice and wisdom to young adults who are in the same shoes as we were just a few years ago.
Although it is too late to be a mentor, it is not too late to be a part of this camp. College students can help by welcoming to the high school students, showing them hospitality, getting to know them and taking the opportunity to spend time with the mentors and high school students in the evenings.
People who are ready to be challenged in their faith and feel God calling them to share His love and wisdom with the next generation are encouraged to be involved with LYF in the future. They plan to host another event in the fall, and NWC students can again serve as mentors.
You can out to Elissa O’dDell at elissa.odell@nwciowa.edu with any questions or to find out more information about the program.
