“that night I understood for the first time...” — Emily Rayburn

Camper + Summer Staff: 2012-2017

A Moment at LFR That Deeply Impacted Your Faith

“LFR After Dark 2015 | Rock Night — We went around to different stations where staff acted out a scenario where sun was involved. At each station we were given a rock to put in our backpack to feel the weight of sin. We ended up at the big field where one by one we went to our counselor and got to talk to them. Callie Cain, who was on admin that summer was a counselor this one week and I think it was for this moment, looked at me and asked “who are you”. I was confused at first, because we had just spent the week together she knew who I was. But she looked at me and asked again and for the first time in my life I said I was a child of God. She let me know I was not meant to carry these rocks (sin) anymore. She let me know that just as she was about to walk them to and place them at the cross, Jesus bore the weight of my sin and died for them that I may be free from the weight and shame of sin. I grew up in church and heard truth, but that night I understood deeply for the first time the sacrifice of Jesus and the freedom of salvation that was offered to me.”

Called to Ministry Through LFR

“YES!! LFR was pivotal in my faith and gave me a biblical foundation as a camper and summer staffer for what it looks like to do ministry. I now work full-time in camp ministry at a camp called Beloved and Beyond where we get to share the hope and love of Jesus with our friends with disabilities and the volunteers that come through our gates every week to be one on one buddies to our campers. There have been so many experiences from LFR that I have taken into my ministry at Beloved and Beyond. LFR After Dark 2015 was Rock Night and it was so pivotal for me that I led our entire summer staff in the activity. It was so impactful for them that the leadership team the next summer decided they wanted to do it with our volunteers during the summer. Two summers later and nearly 2,000 of our summer volunteers and staff have experienced Rock Night and been impacted by the sacrifice of Jesus and laying down of burdens similarly to how I was a decade ago.”

A Mentor Who Made an Impact

“Callie Cain- see above answer about Rock Night (hands down one of the most impactful moments of my life)

Haley Dawkins- first ever counselor in 2012; during our one on one, the invitation to be known and heard and encouraged to pursue the Lord was something I hadn’t experienced before; she really showed me through that why the ministry of LFR is so beautiful and intentional

Ben Jenkins- he was my work staff manager in 2017 and cultivated community among work staff so well; he was a massive encouragement in pushing me to be a good leader; also just a really good friend

Keelea Jenkins- one of the people who encouraged me to apply for staff and was a constant source of encouragement inside and outside of camp

Bethany Sexton- led our cabin with so much grace; cultivated friendships among campers (some of which I am still friends with today); led Bible study with passion; I remember her encouraging us to read the Word with expression because it is the living Word of God and that shifted how I viewed Scripture; she encouraged me to do Camp Macon and I loved it.”

A Special Memory

“Loved cleaning the kitchen each week with workstaff!!”