A Call to Love: Why I Returned to TCM

Running a summer camp can be a very thankless job, as there are many challenges that come with leading a large group of young campers. Not only are the days long and hot, but the kids can be rowdy, and there are challenges when working with your team.

Serving at Sonshine Day Camp in Flemingdon Park last year, I am no stranger to these things. There were times when no matter how hard I tried to make things work, the kids refused to behave, or my team and I still struggled to work smoothly together. In spite of all these things, serving at Sonshine Day Camp has ignited my passion not only for missions but for children’s ministry, inspiring me to serve here for another year.

Sonshine Day Camp is different from a typical summer camp, as its purpose is not just to run summer activities, but to share the gospel with those in need of hope. With this purpose in mind, we aim to be more than simply camp leaders by striving to be friends and even mentors to these kids. I’ve found that developing these relationships with the kids makes the work a lot more joyous and meaningful, and because of this, serving as a camp leader feels like more than simply a job, but a calling to spread the love of Christ and to tell of His glory.

Another blessing I’ve experienced is seeing the kids’ growing excitement to hear the gospel as camp goes on. As I write this, I am reminded of a girl at camp whose family does not go to church regularly. After a few weeks of camp, she excitedly told her parents about how she wanted to go to church, and as a result, her parents decided to go to church on at least one Sunday. Moments like these remind me that even with all the highs and lows of summer camp, God continues to move hearts and work in the community, and this is not my own doing. As Ephesians 2:10 says,

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Heading into this summer, I’ve had many options of how to spend my time, work, and serve, and without looking back, I can say that I’ve made the right decision by returning to Toronto City Mission for one more year, striving to further His kingdom and to grow in my walk of faith.