Awesomeness Takes the Stage >> Seth

You may not know it yet, but Seth is PRETTY awesome — welcome him to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today, will ya?!?!

Like so many staff before him, Seth was first a camper.

Watching him grow from camper to Lead Guide has been a pretty awesome thing to see. Seth’s leadership, this summer especially, has been a gift to Whisper Mountain, but also to those under him, whether they realize it or not! The humility he leads with, the sponge-like desire to continue to develop and grow, the willingness to do the hard thing if it’s the right thing are just a few of the ways we’ve seen him flourish.

Of course, every leader gets his face smeared in the mess of the thing he’s leading at some point along the way! While that can feel discouraging in the moment, in the long run, it’s just a few more rough edges shaved off the solid character being built! Seth has the proven character to show for it!

God has been leading, growing and prepping Seth for mission or pastoral ministry! His focus to follow God in this is quite frankly a refreshing thing to see! Leaders really are being raised to proclaim Christ to this generation. Doesn’t it sometimes feel too lost?! This right here, friends, is just one among many that God is calling forth to change the world for His glory! The reality that God is still actively working and moving through His people should be making us shout with joy and confidence in Him!

Seth, thank you for the years you’ve spent at Whisper Mountain Camp! It has been our pleasure to know you and be a very small part of your journey! May God continue to bless you and keep you as you continue to follow and Proclaim Him! We love you!

 

Awesomeness Takes the Stage [2015] >> Seth

We already have gone through all the days of June! What!?!!? Which brings me to the place of realizing I haven’t begun our (mostly) annual Awesomeness Takes the Stage routine. Which, if you’re new around here, means we put a little spotlight on our summer staff so you can catch a glimpse the awesomeness running around this here camp! And also, because the ministry we do wouldn’t be half of what it is without our summer staff! They are true heroes! And you should know them! So, let’s begin…

Seth doesn’t always have scary eyes!!! But he does have a heart about as big as those dimples that grace that face! He truly has a passion for Jesus and people encountering Him personally! He’s goofy and fun to be with, contemplative and kind. He’s got a knack for connecting with people through the smallest things. In that moment of connection, he exudes love, care and thoughtfulness in a way that leaves the person feeling better than before! Which makes him awesome in his role as a Guide.

God uses Seth’s enjoyable personality and humble heart to draw people to Him. One of my favorite things about Seth is his authenticity and willingness to be open and raw about his struggles even in the midst of walking with Christ. Through his teaching and leading of breakout sessions and day to day living, Seth helps us see the grace and redemption of life in Christ…and it’s contagious!

We are grateful for God’s plan to connect him with Whisper Mountain, first as a camper and now as a veteran on our summer staff team! It’s also his birthday today — celebrate him with us!?!

[ Seth has been a blog contributor in the past — catch his article here! ]

Author >> Cassi | Photo Creds >> Tom + Cassi

3 ways to keep the flame bright

Hey young people!!

By now most of you are back to school and in a normal routine. I want to wish each and every one of you a great school year! As I have also returned to school myself there is one question I keep asking: how do I keep the fire or the “camp high” going?

Personally, it’s very easy to get busy with schoolwork + friends that I slowly but surely allow my flame to dwindle. When you don’t spend every day in an atmosphere where you are constantly surrounded by fellow Christians who want the same exact thing as you, it is easy to allow your flame from camp to be extinguished.

If this is you right now, does it make you any less of a Christian? Absolutely, NOT!! Jesus loves you right where you are at this very second. He doesn’t love some future or better version of yourself more than He loves you now. Jesus loves you as if you were the only person He created. The crazy thing is that He does that for ALL of us.

So with that in mind I want to offer 3 ways to help keep your flame burning bright for Jesus.

1)   Community - Community in the Christian life is vital. When God made Adam he saw he was lonely and needed a companion so he created Eve. We were made for companionship and community!! Otherwise, God would have left Adam to hang out with all the animals.

If you are not in a small group or some sort of gathering where you can go and just do life with other people, I would personally offer that you find one. If there isn’t one at your church and you want this, you can always start your own! Go for it!! God loves when His people gather together to talk about life and Him.

2)   Listen to the Word - If you go to church weekly but you find yourself wanting to hear more of the word, that’s GREAT! I like to get Podcasts of some well-known pastors and listen to what they have to say. This is a great tool to utilize.

3)   GET in the Word – Daily quiet + alone time with God is the most crucial and fundamental part to keep your fire burning bright. Just like you did at camp. It doesn’t mean you have to get up at 4 am and spend 3 hours praying and reading. If 30 minutes is all you can seem to do right now, that’s awesome! I promise you God LOVES those 30 minutes He gets to hang out with His Beloved child. 

I love you all!
In Christ,

Seth McClure

|Author >> Seth| ^^ |Photography >> Jamie + Charley| ^^ |Featured Groups >> 5 Stones Middle School + Hilton Head + Gateway|