Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14 NIV)
“Who do you know?”
That’s the question on my mind as I write this. I need to create an email promoting a one-day arts camp happening in just a few weeks, and I keep coming back to this question:
Who do you know?
Do you know a young person who loves the arts but struggles with their identity in Christ?
Do you know a young person who has never heard the Good News of Jesus but might be open to hearing it in the context of an arts camp?
Do you know a talented young person who hasn’t yet connected the truth that their gifts come from God and that He wants to use those gifts for His purposes?
Do you know someone who has considered attending summer camp but doesn’t know anyone there—or can’t commit to a whole week but could join us for one day?
Do you have friends whose children you’d love to see at summer camp next year? Could this one-day event be a great opportunity to introduce them to a taste of Christian arts?
Who do you know who might enjoy being part of a fun, arts-focused, God-centered day?
If you live near me and know students in grades 5–12 who might enjoy this opportunity, please invite them! If you’re not local but would like to bring students, we’d love to have them, too. And if neither of those options works for you, would you pray that God brings every student He wants to be part of this day?
Every invitation matters. You never know how God might use a day of creativity, community, and faith in a young person’s life.
Creative God,
Thank You for the many forms of art You have given us and for the opportunity to offer our creativity back to You in worship and in sharing Your story. Thank You for the many ways You speak to Your children and draw those who have not yet come to know You.
God, today we pray that You would be at work in the hearts and minds of families, drawing them to participate in this special arts day. We pray that parents would desire to raise their children in the instruction, training, and joy of the Lord, and that they would catch a vision for how You can use the arts to help young people know You more deeply.
Please bring every young person You want to be there. Bring students who have grown up in church, those who have never heard the Gospel, those who are asking questions, those who are confident in their faith, and those who are struggling to understand who they are. Meet each one where they are, and use this day to draw them closer to You.
Open hearts, inspire creativity, build meaningful connections, and fill every workshop with the students You have called to be there.
We trust You to do more than we can ask or imagine. In Jesus’ name, we pray, AMEN.
Do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4 NIV)
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. (John 6:44 NIV)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)