Torrential rain, power cuts and road closures threatened to derail this year’s Spring Camp, but the weather broke just in time.
In the week leading up to camp, almost the entire South Island was under severe weather warnings and watches. Between 100 and 200 millimetres of rain fell across much of the West Coast and western Tasman, with some areas recording over 200 mm. On Thursday morning, the entire top half of the South Island lost power for around 90 minutes. By the day of camp, leaders from the West Coast were on standby, waiting for confirmation that State Highway 6 between Murchison and Kawatiri had reopened before they could begin the journey north.
Prayers were answered on Friday afternoon when the road reopened, just in time for the groups from Greymouth and Westport to make a late, but very grateful, arrival to Spring Camp.
“It wouldn’t have been Spring Camp without them,” said Brad Wood, diocesan youth enabler. “The real heart of camp is being able to gather these youth groups from around the diocese to connect and worship as one whānau.”
All up, around 100 rangatahi and leaders gathered at Bridge Valley Camp to hear meaningful messages, worship together, enjoy games and activities, and connect with each other. Campers were divided into three main teams: Pango (black), representing the West Coast, Kōura (gold), made up of Victory and Blenheim, and Hiriwa (silver), bringing together Nelson, Stoke and Golden Bay. The three teams competed for the coveted Bishop's Log, with Kōura bringing it home this year.
Speakers Nathan Hughes and Kimberly Rea led the weekend’s sessions, exploring the book of Habakkuk and what it means to have honest conversations with God. “They did an amazing job,” Brad said, “looking at how God invites connection and relationship, and how we can come to him with those questions that he wants us to explore with him.”
Saturday night became one of the most memorable moments of camp. “Kimberly’s talk on Saturday night was amazing,” said Sam Oomen, Nelson leader. “The response of smashing mugs that represent our doubts and uncertainties was powerful. It was really encouraging to see so many young people wrestle with what it means to believe in God and respond in that way.”
Kimberly explained, “On Saturday night we talked about how we can be radically honest with God, that He can handle our questions, doubts, fears and wrestlings. We also talked about kintsugi, and how God restores the brokenness in our lives and the world around us, making us more beautiful through this process. At the end of the night, we invited youth to come up the front and smash a cup, to represent something they wanted to let go of and open up to God. It was such a powerful response time, with around two thirds of the youth responding.”
If the weather tested faith before camp began, the weekend itself overflowed with evidence of it. “My favourite moment was hearing my young people I love saying, ‘Nicki, I’ve found God, he’s real,’” said Nicki Mora, Greymouth leader. “Plus that camp made it possible for a mum and bubby to be at camp and make a dream come true for that mum.”
When sharing highlights on Monday morning, youth gushed about the Spring Camp band, various Bridge Valley activities, the talent show, and camp workshops.
Emma from Westport said her highlight was YWAM's “Hearing God’s Voice” workshop, before noting, “Also, today is my one-year anniversary of being a Christian.” Alice from Nelson added, “I only officially became a Christian in June, and my highlight was feeling like I’m a part of something and accepted in a group of people.”
For Renata from the diocesan team, those personal moments were what defined the weekend. “I had some really special moments with a youth who’s been going through a hard time,” she said. “We got to have some time with a couple of others who have been supporting her. We prayed together, cried together – and also had some laughs. It was a privilege to be invited into that space.”
Marzi, Nelson leader, said, “Some of my youth are on a journey of getting to know God and who he is and this whole thing called Christianity, and from conversations that I’ve had with them, they’ve definitely felt the Holy Spirit at work.”
Brad noted how smoothly camp went. “There weren’t any major incidents or behavioural issues – everyone was just having a great time. It’s a real testament to the leaders of the groups, who are setting a good culture in their youth groups. Then they bring that culture here and help us to form a good diocesan culture.”
Sunday brought a moment of celebration as Luke Watts from Westport publicly reaffirmed the baptismal vows that his parents had made on his behalf. “It was really special to see him own his faith and proclaim that publicly,” Brad said. Luke described it simply: “My reaffirmation – it was pretty awesome.”
In the end, the wild weather only framed what the weekend was really about – honest faith and a God who makes a way.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Torrential rain, power cuts and road closures threatened to derail this year’s Spring Camp, but the weather broke just in time.
In the week leading up to camp, almost the entire South Island was under severe weather warnings and watches. Between 100 and 200 millimetres of rain fell across much of the West Coast and western Tasman, with some areas recording over 200 mm. On Thursday morning, the entire top half of the South Island lost power for around 90 minutes. By the day of camp, leaders from the West Coast were on standby, waiting for confirmation that State Highway 6 between Murchison and Kawatiri had reopened before they could begin the journey north.
Prayers were answered on Friday afternoon when the road reopened, just in time for the groups from Greymouth and Westport to make a late, but very grateful, arrival to Spring Camp.
“It wouldn’t have been Spring Camp without them,” said Brad Wood, diocesan youth enabler. “The real heart of camp is being able to gather these youth groups from around the diocese to connect and worship as one whānau.”
All up, around 100 rangatahi and leaders gathered at Bridge Valley Camp to hear meaningful messages, worship together, enjoy games and activities, and connect with each other. Campers were divided into three main teams: Pango (black), representing the West Coast, Kōura (gold), made up of Victory and Blenheim, and Hiriwa (silver), bringing together Nelson, Stoke and Golden Bay. The three teams competed for the coveted Bishop's Log, with Kōura bringing it home this year.
Speakers Nathan Hughes and Kimberly Rea led the weekend’s sessions, exploring the book of Habakkuk and what it means to have honest conversations with God. “They did an amazing job,” Brad said, “looking at how God invites connection and relationship, and how we can come to him with those questions that he wants us to explore with him.”
Saturday night became one of the most memorable moments of camp. “Kimberly’s talk on Saturday night was amazing,” said Sam Oomen, Nelson leader. “The response of smashing mugs that represent our doubts and uncertainties was powerful. It was really encouraging to see so many young people wrestle with what it means to believe in God and respond in that way.”
Kimberly explained, “On Saturday night we talked about how we can be radically honest with God, that He can handle our questions, doubts, fears and wrestlings. We also talked about kintsugi, and how God restores the brokenness in our lives and the world around us, making us more beautiful through this process. At the end of the night, we invited youth to come up the front and smash a cup, to represent something they wanted to let go of and open up to God. It was such a powerful response time, with around two thirds of the youth responding.”
If the weather tested faith before camp began, the weekend itself overflowed with evidence of it. “My favourite moment was hearing my young people I love saying, ‘Nicki, I’ve found God, he’s real,’” said Nicki Mora, Greymouth leader. “Plus that camp made it possible for a mum and bubby to be at camp and make a dream come true for that mum.”
When sharing highlights on Monday morning, youth gushed about the Spring Camp band, various Bridge Valley activities, the talent show, and camp workshops.
Emma from Westport said her highlight was YWAM's “Hearing God’s Voice” workshop, before noting, “Also, today is my one-year anniversary of being a Christian.” Alice from Nelson added, “I only officially became a Christian in June, and my highlight was feeling like I’m a part of something and accepted in a group of people.”
For Renata from the diocesan team, those personal moments were what defined the weekend. “I had some really special moments with a youth who’s been going through a hard time,” she said. “We got to have some time with a couple of others who have been supporting her. We prayed together, cried together – and also had some laughs. It was a privilege to be invited into that space.”
Marzi, Nelson leader, said, “Some of my youth are on a journey of getting to know God and who he is and this whole thing called Christianity, and from conversations that I’ve had with them, they’ve definitely felt the Holy Spirit at work.”
Brad noted how smoothly camp went. “There weren’t any major incidents or behavioural issues – everyone was just having a great time. It’s a real testament to the leaders of the groups, who are setting a good culture in their youth groups. Then they bring that culture here and help us to form a good diocesan culture.”
Sunday brought a moment of celebration as Luke Watts from Westport publicly reaffirmed the baptismal vows that his parents had made on his behalf. “It was really special to see him own his faith and proclaim that publicly,” Brad said. Luke described it simply: “My reaffirmation – it was pretty awesome.”
In the end, the wild weather only framed what the weekend was really about – honest faith and a God who makes a way.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
