kidz2leaders, inc. » We are making a difference! http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog kidz2leaders, inc. serves prisoner's children in the metro-Atlanta area. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:01:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Changed for a New Year http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201202/changed-for-a-new-year/ http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201202/changed-for-a-new-year/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:02:24 +0000 cris http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/?p=768 When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.” Ezekiel 46:9 (NIV 1984)

I read this verse in my devotion yesterday morning and the writer’s words echoed the same thoughts I have for the ministry as we start a new year:

“When we come into God’s presence, He fills us. The Lord changes us so that we are not the same as we were when we came to Him. Ezekiel 46:9 represents this exchange of old for new. The people of Israel were told when they came into the temple area to worship, they were to enter through one gate and exit through the opposite gate.”

kidz2leaders saw amazing blessings in 2011 that changed the course of our ministry and the lives of our campers.  Nine of our campers graduated from high school and most of our graduates are enrolled in a form of higher education or are employed.  112 campers attended Camp Hope – 21 were first time campers.  Twenty-six former campers attended Camp Hope to serve as counselors, cabin leaders or as summer staff.

Just as our campers’ lives have been changed by experiencing the love of Christ , so has our ministry.  We celebrate the successes of 2011 and enter 2012 changed by the year’s events and marked by God’s love.  Thank you to our campers, counselors, donors, volunteers, prayer warriors and friends who helped change kidz2leaders for the better.  We invite you to join us as we embark on a new year!

Read about our 2012 goals in our End Of Year Report.

Blessings,

Cris Hunt

Director of Programs

Become a fan of Camp Hope’s Facebook page!

 

]]> http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201202/changed-for-a-new-year/feed/ 0 Camp Hope 2011! http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201108/camp-hope-2011/ http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201108/camp-hope-2011/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:11:46 +0000 cris http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/?p=639 It was a week of fun, joy, redemption, healing, exhaustion, 100-degree weather but most of all LOVE!  Camp Hope hosted over 400 participants at Rock Eagle’s campground in Eatonton, GA July 17-22 – including 112 campers (25 of them were first-time campers) and 36 former campers who served as counselors or cabin leaders.  We had counselors from areas outside of the Atlanta-area including St. Simons Island, New Jersey and Vermont.

I would say the word “spirit-filled” defined Camp Hope’s 12th summer.   Thank you for those who prayed over the staff, counselors, campers and volunteers because we saw prayers being answered and such an amazing and vibrant energy at camp.  You could see it in the campers as they worshipped at night or as they went down the water slide.  Through the amazing testimonies of our guest speakers, campers had opportunities to forgive those who hurt them and even more, forgive themselves.  Our Leadership campers (7th-9th graders) had opportunities to pray with one another, take communion and wash one another’s feet – they experienced the true meaning of fellowship.  Campers gave their life to Christ for the first time.  God’s spirit guided us through each day, and before we knew it though, it was time for the campers to get back on the bus to return home.  It’s a sad day as you watch campers cry as they say their goodbyes and get on the bus.  But at the same time, God’s hope and promise goes home with each of them.  Campers leave knowing they are loved, knowing that God is always with them and knowing they are a part of a bigger family now.

A HUGE thank you goes out to the everyone who made Camp Hope a possibility.  It was through the generosity and loving hearts of many that our financial needs were met for camp – from snacks and bottled water to meeting the Jackson Family Foundation Matching Grant.  Thank you to those who volunteered at Mt. Bethel UMC to assist with transportation.  Thank you again for those who prayed over camp.  And, last but definitely not least, thank you to our counselors who selflessly took a week out of their summer to serve our campers.  Thank you ALL for being the hands and feet of Christ to our campers!

Save the Date for Camp Hope 2012: July 14-20!

]]> http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201108/camp-hope-2011/feed/ 0 Thank You! http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201011/thank-you/ http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201011/thank-you/#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:11:14 +0000 cris http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/?p=543 A HUGE thank you to all who donated towards a Camp Hope family receiving a Christmas dinner.  With your help, we raised over $6,700!!  At the hope4christmas party, we will provide each family with a $50 gift certificate to Kroger.  Thank you for your support and generosity so our Camp Hope families are able to enjoy a Christmas meal.

A special thank you to Mt. Bethel Christian Academy’s 5th graders who raised $800!!  Check it out below:

MBCA 5th Grade raises $800 for Camp Hope Families

]]> http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201011/thank-you/feed/ 0 Congrats to our 2010 Interns! http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201009/congrats-to-our-2010-interns/ http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201009/congrats-to-our-2010-interns/#comments Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:47:25 +0000 cris http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/?p=492 Congrats to our 2010 interns who successfully completed 13 summer internships, traveled to NYC and served Camp Hope as counselors or cabin leaders!  The 2010 interns are: Allen Mathis, Marcus Leverette, Kwanza Cole, Dominique Carter, Michael Mathis, Trey Ledbetter, Alexis Dulaney, Brittany Johnson, Swan Robinson, Jamil Harris (not pictured) and Chelsey Robinson (not pictured).

]]> http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/201009/congrats-to-our-2010-interns/feed/ 0 What Our Kids are Saying After Camp… http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/200909/what-our-kids-are-saying-after-camp/ http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/200909/what-our-kids-are-saying-after-camp/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:20:38 +0000 cris http://www.kidz2leaders.org/blog/?p=222 After Camp Hope, our Cornerstone and Leadership campers complete an evaluation  of their experience at camp.  Here are the results from this year’s evaluation.

44% of our Leadership Campers reported that the most important thing that happened at Camp Hope was getting closer to God.

“I got saved and rededicated my life to God.”

“I have invited God back into my life.”

“To know that if you ask for forgiveness Jesus will forgive you and not hold grudges.”

51% of our Leadership Campers defined leadership as setting a good example.

40% defined leadership as responsibility.

“Leadership is building unity and a better world for future kids just like me.”

“It means being a unique person in God’s eyes, it can make you a better Christian by showing others the way to joy and Jesus.”

98% of our Leadership Campers want to be a counselor at Camp Hope.

“I want campers to learn about God and help them through their situation because I went through the same thing.”

“I want to be a counselor so I can help campers like my counselors help me grow in Christ.”

100% plan to graduate highschool!

100% said that Camp Hope helped them understand the importance of not making poor choices like using drugs or getting pregnant before marriage.

100% of campers that Camp Hope will help them at home, with their family and with their friends at school!

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