By Joyell Nevins – CFFM Blogger
Photos courtesy of Debi Pilot Photography
25 years ago, the Christian Family Fellowship board saw a need for teenagers to gather together in fellowship with each other and the Father – and have a blast while doing it!
A quarter of a century later, Youth Excelling Spiritually (YES!) Camp is still going strong. This year, in honor of the landmark year, CFF brought in not only campers from all over the country – 23 states in all – but a plethora of guest speakers, too.
Campers received truth from Dr. Roberts Liardon of Florida, Pastor Carol Furman of Ohio, Rev. Dr. Damien Johnson of South Carolina, and JJ Stroud and Lorri Seidensticker of California. Pastor David Mizzell, the dance team Movers and Shakers, and the praise band Delighted all came to share their musical talent and love as well.
The Time to Revive team donated Bibles and color-coded bracelets to help the campers explain the gospel with whomever they meet back home. And of course, D.J. Art Love showed up with his lights and good humor for the dance!
Be Kind
The 2022 theme was “Be Kind,” referencing Colossians 3:12.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
As camper and teacher Adam Carvahalo defined it, “Kindness is being happy and friendly for people who are not.” He gave examples from his own life of what happens when kindness is used, and when it is not.
Many of the teachers peppered their Scriptural sharings with personal testimonies, from finding a wife to surviving what should have been a fatal car crash. The camp speakers varied in personality, age, and gender, but they all helped the Word come alive!
A Holy Spirit Adventure
YES! Camp excels in giving campers and crew opportunities to live that holy spirit adventure, regardless of location. Campers started their days with the Word, manifestations, and music, and they ended each day with “soaking,” or quiet reflection and worship. The last night that reflection happened by the light of a crackling fire at Christian Family’s amphitheater fire pit.
In between, the group went bowling, canoeing, and swimming. Campers enjoyed special treats like a chocolate fountain and shaved ice truck. They ate family style meals, and breakfast with their power groups.
Showing the remnants of the chocolate fountain! 
There was a skit night with a twist: every power group had to use the box of props they were given, which included anything from (clean) diapers to kitchen serving spoons!
There was even an obstacle course showdown between the power groups to see who could make it through blindfolded, guided only by their teammates’ voices. Similarly to how we listen for Jesus, the blinded teammate had to discern between the cacophony of yells and those few voices who were guiding them to victory.
“But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice…I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep…they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10: 2-4, 14, 16 NKJV
The 2022 YES! Camp was a time of fun, fellowship, and transformation. If you are between the ages of 12 and 25 and want to join the fun next year, email sarah@cffm.org for more information. Spots are limited to 100 applicants, so save your space early!