As we close out our 5th year of summer camps I was reflecting on all the lives of the young men we have influenced for the cause of Christ here at Cross Trail Outfitters of Illinois. As the State Director I have had the privilege to witnessed many boys turn into responsible young men. Moreover watching these young men make responsible choices for their futures as they leave high school and start planning for adulthood. These boys continue to choose Christ, and grow in their faith.
When the youth arrived at this summer camp I began to realize the Lord was blessing us with a whole new crop of young men. All but two of the boys in attendance were new to the CTO Ultimate Summer Camp Experience. All the young men came eager to learn outdoor skills and were excited to get to use all the equipment from archery to clay shooting. We spent time with each of these youth helping them develop their skills and then gave them the opportunity to use what they had learned.
While on the river as we experienced the jumping Asian Carp. Many of the boys were capable of catching a carp or two with their new found archery skill. Making time on the range we the youth were able to experience many different types of firearms including rifles, revolvers, and pistols. Lastly we worked on clay shooting allowing the youth to learn how to shotgun hunt for upland birds and waterfowl. Each sportsman discovered the tools and methods at which he excelled, and which ones challenged him. All the Sportsmen were able to demonstrate their abilities for the Sportsmen’s Challenge.
Our campfires were lead by our Jo Daviess Outfitter Paul Hansen. Many of the young men in attendance may have been new to CTO they weren’t new to church. Many had a background in religious tradition, but needed a lesson in scripture. We had discussions about the difference between what the scripture says and what man has added over the years. We discussed how tradition may not be bad if the “why” is understood along with the action. As we read in Mark 7:1-13 tradition for traditions sake is powerless, but tradition wrapped in scripture can be spiritually powerful. A great example of tradition mixed with scripture in 1 Corinthians 11: 1-2 & 17-34 where Paul (the author, not our Outfitter) gives us instruction on the Lord’s Supper and the tradition in which we are to participate.
We were able to share with the Sportsmen that we must first go to the scripture and learn first from what God’s word is telling us. Then if tradition parallels Holy Scripture it honors God, If the tradition is not rooted in scripture then it is useless and has no power. We asked them to look into their traditions, and to measure those traditions against Scripture. If you are reading this I ask that you do the same thing. We can only grow in Christ if we study to show ourselves approved, if we follow blindly we have no power just like the the tradition so many cling to.
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