One of the most distinctive things about Camp Siloam is our theme development. The Camp Siloam program team works for two years on each theme, putting a lot of thought and time into the development of a story that will be compelling to campers.
Our process starts with one of our three mission components. These mission components are 1) Identity in Jesus Christ 2) Understanding God’s purpose in His kingdom and 3) God’s mission for the world. Then we ask, “What Scripture or Biblical story illustrates this concept best?” Then we go through a process of building. We ask, “What story genre would best create a metaphor to illustrate the Biblical principle?” Finally, we go through a process of detailing the “story arc.” The story arc describes the high points of a Biblical story we want to illustrate. Our script writer is then able to write from high point to high point and outline the story. It is from our story arc we develop our teaching points.
In our drama during the summer of 2024 we will be re-creating the life of Peter in a story told as a Renaissance knight’s quest. Our speakers will highlight the story of Peter and Jesus in their sermons.
One teaching point we will be pulling out of the life of Peter, is “God doesn’t always call the equipped, but He equips the called.” We are all called to share the Gospel and, through His Word, we have the ability to learn and be equipped to share the Gospel.
Another teaching point we will focus on is to “walk by faith in boldness.” We see many times in the Gospels the faith and boldness Peter has in following Jesus. A third teaching point we will be looking at is “correction doesn’t mean rejection.” Peter messes up several times and Jesus uses correction as a way to teach Peter. But this doesn’t mean that Jesus is rejecting Peter and the same goes for us.
“We will be transforming Camp Siloam into a week-long renaissance festival filled with lords and ladies, kings and queens, jesters, squires, and amazing knights,” said Scott Maxwell, director of camps. “We will follow the quest of a great knight who takes alongside him a noble squire yearning to learn what it takes to be a knight as they search for the Throne of Thrones. Along the journey will be adventure, conflict, battles, and many opportunities for the squire to learn from the great knight.”
This summer, the concept we want campers to come away with is that God has a purpose for each one of us. Peter’s purpose was to know Christ. This was God’s plan for Peter from the time he was called to follow Him, during three years doing life with Him, and ultimately being called out by Jesus to make Him known to the ends of the earth by starting the church.
Matthew 16:18 says, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Our purpose is to know who Christ is and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, and to make Him known to the ends of the earth, or to our family, our classmates, teammates, or neighbors.
After two years of planning and dreaming about a Renaissance theme it is exciting to see it all come together. We hope your campers enjoy A Knights Quest and the summer of 2024 as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.
You can see our theme reveal video by clicking here: https://youtu.be/o6S-d1mgh_k?si=-IHMXo7mt1TBs0rk