In February, we wrote about the New Zealand Lake Project, highlighting the two Fijian men who participated. One of those men, Jason, a recent graduate from the University of the South Pacific (USP), wrestled to discern the distinction between ministry principles and ministry applications. He knew what he experienced at Lake Project would need to look different as the local church seeks to engage students in Fiji. Just five months later, 21 students from six Pacific nations attended a week-long camp created to establish and equip university-age believers. 

Five staff from the Tasman Network were invited to join. They traveled to “serve as needed,” which resulted in leading small groups and doing some of the teaching. Travis Barth shared, “The camp was well organized and executed for a first initiative. We were so encouraged to see these students grow in their love of the word and their confidence to study it throughout the week. At the end of the camp, one guy told me that he had never before read so much of the Bible in a week, and he wanted to keep it up!”

Terry, a youth leader in the local church, attended the camp. He walked with Jarred Smith and shared the significance the week held for him, “This time has given me a vision for training others in a new way. I want to be a disciple-maker.” 

David Richards said, “This camp was not a Campus Outreach initiative! God is at work and provided a significant opportunity for us to help these churches as resources and encouragers. We have been blessed to watch these two churches take ownership of this vision and execute it themselves.”  

Pray with us that the relational momentum that began at camp would flow into the ministry on the USP campus. Pray that students would be diligent in the habits they first experienced at camp and that they would become a thriving Christian community. Pray they invite other students to run alongside them as they pursue God. Finally, pray for Campus Outreach New Zealand as they consider ongoing opportunities for partnership in this gospel work.

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