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February 2007 |
Capital Funds Campaign for the North Indiana Conference camping ministry
Super Bowl thinking: the joy of going for the win!
By Jean M. Brindel
The Super Bowl in Miami between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears is history. Now the "Monday morning quarterbacking" takes place, and will probably go on for months, since this was the last game - THE BIG GAME - of the NFL season and a big win for the Colts.
My sister and her husband are true-blue Colts fans with season tickets and all. As they were parking their car and walking to the RCA Dome for the AFC Division Championship Play-Off Game, they were thinking "winning and the Super Bowl." As they walked the few block from the parking garage to the Dome, people were on the street bidding for tickets. "Hey, I'll give you $300." They smiled and walked on; they were going to the game. "Sell your tickets? $500 bucks - cash!" They looked at each other and in unison responded, "Nah, we're go'n to the game."
Information about the North Indiana UMC Conference camps can be found by logging on to its Web site at www.impact2818.com. |
They work hard for their money and are both very middle-class working people, so $1,000 in their pocket for two tickets was no small matter. They stopped on the sidewalk about two blocks from the Dome and had a conversation between them. When would they sell the tickets? Where was the point that the experience of being in the Dome, surrounded by fans, excitement and possibilities of the win, would be was less important than the money? They talked it over and in about 15 seconds came to a price - $1,000 per ticket. Yea, two grand was their price! They got within a block - "$700?" At the steps of the stadium, the sound rang out - "$800." No, they went to the game.
I asked her if it was worth it. She replied, "It was the most incredible experience of being part of the joy of going for the win!"
The words - "going for the win" filled my mind, as I could relate that excitement with North Indiana's Out Door Ministry.
There are numerous fans of Out Door Ministry in Indiana: Epworth Forest, Camp Adventure, Pine Creek and Lakewood. We remember "the most incredible experience of energy, excitement and just plain fun" of that week at camp or weekend retreat.
We are now being asked, as we move into this North Indiana Camping capital fund campaign, "How important was that experience? What is it's value to you?"
As the plans for the upgrade and new construction at the camp sites are planned, each of us in the North Indiana Conference is asked the question, "What is the camping experience worth to your children - youth - people who will be won for Jesus Christ and the life of the church?"
There are many voices out there bidding for your time, attention and faithfulness. The question we need to step aside and ask is "What is the joy of winning people for Jesus Christ worth - to me - to them - to the reign of God?" Super Bowl thinking - "the joy of going for the win!"
The Rev. Jean Brindel serves as senior pastor of Saint Matthew UMC in Frankfort, Ind., and is chair of the North Indiana Conference Camp Design Leadership team.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008