Loaves & Fishes in Mass City
When Logan first arrived as part of the summer staff of 2023, they were excited for their role as Day Camp Coordinator. They would be visiting congregations for a week at a time, working with volunteers and a small team to deliver a day camp experience in their communities. Logan had had mixed experiences with churches in the past, with some faith communities not being kind or accepting. As an education major, Logan was ready for their new position, but they were also nervous to see how the interactions with the congregations would go.
Logan was assigned to lead their first day camp at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, part of the Northern Lights Parish in Mass City, MI. The congregation had a long history of hosting day camp, with the young adult staff working together with their senior church members. Logan was unsure how this small congregation in a rural community would welcome them, their team, and the campers. To add to the challenge, Northern Lights was recently without a pastor. Additionally, the Fortune Lake staff would be traveling without a musician, thus requiring a week of singing a capella. Logan was asked to deliver the sermon, and the team was invited to help lead music in Sunday worship. Despite everyone’s anxieties, they brought their gifts and placed them before the Lord.
And much like the story of the young boy who brings the five loaves and two fish to Jesus to feed 5,000+ people (John 6:1-15), God used the gifts of those gathered to bless the community in miraculous ways, and there was more than enough! Sunday morning worship kicked off the day camp week with joy. The pastorless service with a first time preacher and guitarless songs set the tone for a great week. The day camp was attended by a lively group of local children, many of whom were not church members, but who were thrilled to have a rare youth ministry opportunity in their hometown. The faithful church members met the needs of the group, going the extra mile to provide healthy meals and fresh cut fruit, displaying them beautifully for the campers to enjoy. The kids loved the crafts and games, but one of their favorite activities was listening to stories from the Spark Story Bible while drawing what they heard. And the a capella songs were just perfect for this rag tag group gathered in the church basement!
It turns out that Logan’s fears about church were proven wrong, as they were fully welcomed. God used this experience to remind them that in Jesus, there is always enough. As Logan prepared for their first teaching job as the Science Teacher at Escanaba Jr./Sr. High School, they were once again unsure of what to expect. And, they were once again pleasantly surprised to be fully welcomed and supported in that new community. Logan’s experiences have shown that God multiplies our meager gifts, often beyond what seems possible, providing an abundance!
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