This year 65 high schoolers attended CMS MELT Camp at CYC (Christian Youth Camps) Burleigh Heads between April 21 and 23. Over the weekend, teens were exposed to CMS’ mission in Uganda and were challenged to examine God’s will for their lives.

Now in its third year, Paul Vandersee, CMS QNNSW’s Mobilisation and Next Generation Coordinator, said he was excited about the type of community he saw happening at MELT Camp.

“Many Christian kids feel isolated at school because of their values and MELT Camp is a place where they can see they aren’t alone,” he said.

Understanding the cross-cultural mission challenges

Have you ever thought about how easy, or hard, it might be to sow and grow the gospel in parts of the world where food security is uncertain, oppressive, and fickle law enforcement is the norm, and natural disasters threaten large parts of the population?

Campers gained some insight into this scenario when they played a simulation game. For this, they were divided into ‘families’, everyone had to ‘grow’ enough food to survive several days. This was all while experiencing styles of Christian mission which either promised prosperity, provided only financial and practical aid, or a brand of gospel that focussed on biblical teaching, walking alongside through suffering, and providing practical care and financial assistance where possible.

Paul Vandersee, who was also the Camp Dad, said this helped the youth understand the complex scenarios missionaries might face while helping them to compare and contrast different ways that ‘mission’ is carried out.

“It was an eye-opening experience not just for the youth but for the leaders as well,”

“Even my team in the game were quick to go to the ‘churches’ of the missionary groups who offered the most financial aid, but little about Jesus as, without their help, my family would not have survived!”

A glimpse into life in Uganda

CMS missionaries Andrew & Margie Newman who work at Bible College in Rukungiri, Uganda, were the resident missionaries for MELT 2023. They shared about their daily lives there and the challenges that come with taking the gospel to country where corruption abounds. They encouraged youth to set 10-year plans for their lives and think about how they would be associated with mission at that point.  Why not ask your child about their plan (or tell your parents your plan!)?

The Relevance of Paul’s instructions 2000 years later.

Dr Sam Petersen joined MELT for his second year as Bible teacher Over the three days he highlighted the relevance of Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians. He explored what it is like living in an ‘upside-down world’ and challenged listeners to live sanctified lives without any sexual immorality as we move towards a world which God will turn the right way up. Sam urged everyone to pursue God’s general will for all our lives – to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and to give thanks in all circumstances.

Scavenger Hunt

The highly anticipated scavenger hunt clearly lived up to its hype with highschooler and leaders alike scrambling to tick off every item (on an impossible) list with the Grade 7 boys, “Imitators of Us” taking out first place.

We praise God for using MELT weekend to illustrate his character and desire for us to be part of his global mission. Planning has already started for 2024, including looking at options for a long weekend. Stay tuned for more details.