Knowledge Put to Practice | Heath Holmes’ Internship
When听Heath Holmes set foot听in听Camp Joy听in May of 2021, he thought he knew what to expect.听This was his second summer of counseling, and听as a senior in Biblical Counseling,听he was confident that the fun weeks ahead would fly by smoothly.听Instead,听his confidence flew away when a staff听member approached him, asking if he was听willing to serve as听a听team听captain.听Heath was nervous but willing and the weeks to follow would prove to be the most rewarding yet.听
The position of Team Captain is an important one; along with his co-captain, Heath led a听group of around 12 counselors as one of听the听two teams听that听competed听throughout the summer.听He emphasizes the role that servant leadership played in the job: 鈥淚t鈥檚 more serving than I thought, and that鈥檚 good.鈥澨听
The primary听responsibility听of the Team Captains is to provide a competitive and fun atmosphere to help the kids听open up听to the preaching and teaching presented to them during the week, in addition to helping fellow counselors with their campers and making the听week听as exciting as possible.听Heath听was听struck听by how many campers听had never experienced 鈥渢hat level of fun鈥 before.听
Heath admits that he had his doubts about the job: 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I could do it,鈥 he says, 鈥渂ut God gave me the strength and a great team and fellow captain to work with,鈥 and the relationships he built with them impacted him in such a way that he still regards many of them as dear friends even months afterward. To 鈥渂ring the kids a meaningful encounter with God鈥 made听all of听the hard work worthwhile.听
Camp Joy holds a special place in Heath鈥檚 heart; although a week of camp is typically small, consisting of around 100 to 150 campers and about 60 summer staff, he testifies that God is undeniably at work there. He appreciates the camp鈥檚 emphasis not only on providing a quality, fun camp experience but also on bringing听campers into a closer relationship with Christ.听
The obvious intentionality of the full-time staff with their summer staff impacted Heath the most. Through time invested in training and mentorship, Heath grew in his spiritual walk regularly.听The two weeks of staff training at the beginning of the summer felt more like a听mini-revival听to Heath, and he stated that he felt more spiritually refreshed than he had in a long time as a result.听
But it doesn鈥檛 stop there; the staff invest in their seasonal employees on and off-campus and take the time to focus on relationships听with them听and mentor them as well. As a result, the summer staff are better equipped and inspired to make a greater impact on their campers and watch God work in听their hearts as a result.听In Heath鈥檚 words, 鈥淟ives are really changed there.鈥听
As far as听working with campers, Heath cites his most valuable resource as Theology 2,听a class听taught by Dr. David Saxon听at MBU. Studying the theologies听of humanity, sin, and salvation proved essential as he assisted countless campers struggling with their salvation,听and having a firm, biblical foundation of how to lead someone to the Lord proved invaluable in guiding campers to the point of trusting God. He also values Dr. Saxon鈥檚 investment in his students; much of the class is geared toward camp ministry, and听he not only held discussions specifically about camp-related topics but also took the time in class to pray for his students and the various summer camps they would be interning with.听
Heath additionally values the experience in his听particular field听of ministry. He quotes听Mr. Mark Herbster from many years ago: 鈥淭he best way to practice for ministry is ministry.鈥 Heath has found this to be true; although information is an important part of any education, MBU鈥檚 emphasis on practical experience for Biblical Counseling students has been essential to his growth and study as a member of the ministry.听鈥淵ou can learn a lot of knowledge, but it鈥檚 useless without practice,鈥 Heath shared.听
However, knowledge has its place, as Heath can attest; through staff training and one-on-ones with Pastor John Moore, the camp director, the doctrinal instruction he received in the areas of salvation and听sanctification听changed his mindset not only on how he helps campers but also on his own walk with the Lord.听He mentions how听Pastor Moore spoke of the听how, the听why, and the听what; Christians tend to focus on the听what, the practices and ministries of听the听Christian life, but easily lose sight of the听why听鈥 which, in Heath鈥檚 words, is 鈥淕od鈥檚 amazing love for us.鈥听
He specifically mentions his learning process in having the right听how.听Instead of doing things in his own power, Heath learned that living the Christian life does not mean meeting God halfway, but 鈥渃ompletely abiding in Christ every day, every moment for the strength we need.鈥 The power to do His will comes from God alone, and He听used this learning experience to do a great work in Heath and through him; he testifies that he听had听the chance to help many campers in this area.听
Heath听looks back on his time at Camp Joy fondly and credits it with much of his spiritual growth within the last year. His heart for individuals is so听evident, as听is听signified by听his statement: 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 need theology, just biblical truth.鈥听