Building up the Church

One day during camp as I was taking photos of some of our staff talking to campers who had raised their hand during the altar call, an anecdote came to mind.  Maybe it’s because we are in the middle of a building project, but the idea of how we are spiritually building up the church at camp just became so visually true as I saw kids bowing their heads in prayer with our camp counselors, and it was like I literally saw a little brick added to a beautiful cathedral.  It was then that I remembered a story I’d heard and is beautifully retold by Girard J.P. * that goes as follows: 

“On a foggy autumn day nearly 800 years ago a traveller happened upon a large group of workers adjacent to the River Avon. Despite being tardy for an important rendezvous, curiosity convinced the traveller that he should inquire about their work. With a slight detour he moved toward the first of the three tradesmen and said, ‘my dear fellow, what is it that you are doing?’ The man continued his work and grumbled, ‘I am cutting stones.’ Realizing that the mason did not wish to engage in a conversation the traveller moved toward the second of the three and repeated the question. (Continued page 2)

(Continued from page 1) To the traveller’s delight this time the man stopped his work ever so briefly, and stated that he was a stonecutter. He then added ‘I came to Salisbury from the north to work but as soon as I earn ten quid I will return home.’ The traveller thanked the second mason, wished him a safe journey home and began to head to the third of the trio.

“When he reached the third worker, he once again asked the original question. This time the worker paused, glanced at the traveller until they made eye contact and then looked skyward drawing the traveller’s eyes upward. The third mason replied, ‘I am a mason and I am building a cathedral.’ He continued, ‘I have journeyed many miles to be part of the team that is constructing this magnificent cathedral. I have spent many months away from my family and I miss them dearly. However, I know how important Salisbury Cathedral will be one day and I know how many people will find sanctuary and solace here. I know this because the Bishop once told me his vision for this great place.’ He described how people would come from all parts to worship here. He also told that the Cathedral would not be completed in our days but that the future depends on our hard work. He paused and then said, ‘So I am prepared to be away from my family because I know it is the right thing to do. I hope that one day my son will continue in my footsteps and perhaps even his son if need be.’”

I retold this story to Amanda, our Camp Director, telling her how our staff needed to know that whether they are at camp filling up water jugs, cooking food for campers, or emptying the trash cans, that they needed to know that each of us is working together, this time not to build the Salisbury Cathedral, but something even more beautiful — we are building up the living and breathing church.  We are building up the church at camp by sharing the gospel and welcoming new believers to the church. We are also building up the church as we “equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up,” as mentioned in Ephesian 4:12. Then as verse 16 goes on to say, “builds itself (the church) up in love, as each part does its work.” What a wonderful privilege it is to be a part of building up the church through the work that God has set for us to do.

After this thought, a similar anecdote came to mind.  The story goes like this. President John F. Kennedy was visiting NASA headquarters for the first time in 1961. While touring the facility, he introduced himself to a janitor who was mopping the floor and asked him what he did at NASA.

“I’m helping put a man on the moon!”

This janitor could see that he was playing his part in the great undertaking of putting a man on the moon.  

For us at Hidden Acres, our greatest desire is that through camp ministry we will help, not put a man on the moon, but lead a child to a higher and better place - to heaven! 

When you partner with us be it through prayer, giving, sharing our mission with others, renting our facilities, or by participating in work days, retreats, or camps, then you too are helping us build up the church and guiding people toward Christ. 

We thank you.

Rebeca Carpenter