From May 23rd-28th, a group of 221 staff and students from the Bay Area gathered for our annual Chapter Camp- a time of Scripture study, leadership training, vision casting, and community-building for various InterVarsity chapters.
This year, we studied the book of Exodus, and God’s Spirit worked powerfully through our time in connecting the story of Israel with the story of our own fellowship communities. Students left challenged and convicted to live out their identities as a treasured possession, priestly kingdom, and a holy nation on campus- choosing to build tabernacles instead of idols.
HERE’S A FEW GLIMPSES AT WHAT HAPPENED AT CHAPTER CAMP 2011:

Growing in love for Scripture: Throughout our week at Camp, students spent every morning studying the book of Exodus through an in-depth manuscript study. Not only were students exposed to the narrative of God transforming a nation of slaves into a kingdom of priests, but they were also challenged to see the value for studying Scripture together in community:
“God taught me how much can be learned through the careful study of His Word. I also learned a lot about how to apply the Old testament to our everyday lives as students today. I am even more excited to lead a dorm small group next year!”
“Manuscript study was so good and nourishing for my spirit and soul. I think the smaller groups helped a lot in fleshing out the manuscripts more!”

Repenting of our Idols: On Wednesday night of camp, staff worker Michelle Silvashy challenged students from Exodus to repent of their “golden calf”- the sins we love more than we love God. Students were moved towards repentance and confession, and many students were able to experience healing and freedom from their idols.
“God revealed to me what my “golden calf” was – my preoccupation with school/grades, and my idolizing of celebrities/pop culture. I felt God compelling me to cast down these idols in order to live a life that glorifies Him. I also felt compelled to sacrifice the firstfruits of my time to Him, and I have done so since Chapter Camp by spending the first hour of every day to reading His Word. It has been an amazingly enriching experience and I pray that I’ll have enough self-discipline to carry this out throughout the rest of the year.”
“Over the course of the week, and actually right after I got back, God gave me the strength to let go of an idol I had held onto for a good year, because I had my own plans for it. It is important not just to give up categorized idols, but to offer my life as a whole to God.”

Committing to building God’s Tabernacle: On Thursday night, I led an all-camp response time, as students were challenged to offer up a “freewill offering” to the building of God’s dwelling place on campus. Through a time of prayer and consecration, students committed to offering time, talents, material resources, and relational networks to see God’s glory dwell on our campuses!
“God revealed to me that He wants all of me, as long as I am willing to lift up whatever I have to Him, both good and bad. He’s been showing me more of what being a disciple looks like.”
“Through Chapter Camp, I committed myself to sharing my artistic and creative abilities for the sake of others. Yet I realized that the source of this wellspring of creativity is a heart that is stirred and willing to sacrifice in gladness.”

Experiencing Rest and Joy in Community: Students throughout the week got to spend time not just growing in their relationship with God, but also in their relationships with each other. Through fun activities, communal prayer meetings, and fellowship times, students were both challenged and blessed by the building of community.
“I think Chapter Camp made me realize that there is a community for me within CCF and that God really does work if you allow him to. I think Chapter Camp also opened my eyes to some ethnic identity issues and also how imperfect community can be but that there is hope with Him.”
“Through Chapter Camp, I found out how strong class prayer is and how important it is to have fellowship with other people that can support you and be there for you. “
Thank you for all your prayers and support of Chapter Camp this year. I am looking forward to sharing with you how we continue to reap the fruits of the seeds sown through our Camp!