Athletes in Action scores successful summer camp season

The leader of a Christian athletic organization says he had faith all along that they would be able to host summer camps. 

In February, Stephen Klassen, the Regional Camps Director for Athletes in Action in Manitoba, optimistically began planning for summer day camps.

"I know a lot of people sort of challenged me on that notion and asked if it was worth all the time investment I was putting in, but I had just seen God move so many mountains on my behalf and behalf of this ministry," Klassen says.

The director says "there were just too many pieces that were aligning simultaneously," leaving him without a doubt.

In June, Athletes in Action capped their registration at 20 children, not knowing how many people they would be able to have in attendance if any. Two days before their first camp, the province announced day camps could occur, allowing the exact amount of children the camp estimated

When they began their first camp, there were 200 registrations. By the end of the summer, all of their 27 camps were full.

"As much as it has been daunting at times, it's been extremely rewarding to see the hand of God literally moving on our behalf and jsut answering prayer after prayer."

For Klassen, being in this new director position feels like a calling, thrilled that the summer's season has occurred. While the year was difficult to plan, he says it was a faith-building exercise. Klassen says the camps helped young people put a face to faith.

"For me, it has just been an enormous blessing to be in these communities of children and youth coming together, spiritually and physically."

Klassen hopes that when school begins, their young athletes are able to share with others not only their new sports skills but also how they've grown in their faith.