What started as a small, pilot, family camp 21 years ago has grown into YWAM Slovakia Family Ministries that now provides support, training and resources to hundreds of couples and families in Slovakia and beyond.
This summer we ran three family camps with over 470 participants, including children and our team. The theme #balance explored our need for balance in our life, work and life, what to do when our lives are unbalanced and where to find our fixed point.
We began each camp day laughing with a highly creative and original puppet show that introduced the day’s topic. Then our guest speakers – 1- Brian and Chris Clarke (UK), 2- Christoph and Eveline Leu (CH) and 3- Al and Carolyn Akimoff (USA) – shared Biblical teaching and practical application along with many stories from their own life. Evening small groups helped people connect and process what they had heard. The afternoons were full of fun and sports for the whole family, as well as outreach opportunities to evangelize on the streets or do some practical work at our YWAM base. A highlight of each week was the romantic evening, where couples relaxed and enjoyed quality time together, while their children were cared for by our amazing volunteers.
The childrens program is one of the most important aspects of the camp and we have a small army of talented, young volunteers who prepare and run it. They don’t just play with the kids but help them to grow in their relationship with God too.
One of the camps was specifically for families with teenagers. That week Alon and Raja Grimberg and their King’s Kids Israel group challenged the teens to go deeper in their relationship with God. The Slovak and Israeli teens had a blast together, became good friends and encountered the Father’s love in a profound way.
We are awed by what God has done through these camps over the years. Families have found encouragement and strength to last the whole year. People have made new friends, formed prayer groups and started new initiatives to impact society. Marriages have been saved, parents have learnt how to relate to their teens and whole families have come to know Christ as their savior. When the Father’s love touches the hearts of His children it brings much needed balance to their lives.
