Thirtysomethings

BY SARAH SARGENT

It was a warm summer night. We were at church camp and had experienced a great worship service earlier that evening. The leadership gathered in the corner of the room, speaking in hushed tones. After they dispersed, we were split into small groups of five or six and assigned a counselor, who explained we were participating in a simulation of a persecuted church. Very quietly, we crept through the woods, attempting to avoid being discovered. When we arrived at the designated place, we went in and sat down on the floor. A few well-placed candles illuminated the room. We listened as our leaders shared real stories of persecuted Christians. With tears running down my face, I sat there in awe of the faith of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

That was the summer of 1998, and the first time I clearly remember learning about modern-day persecution. I wondered then, “Could that ever happen here in America?” The following April, the first major school shooting occurred at Columbine, and in the aftermath, we learned about multiple girls killed because of their faith. The

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 5:10

persecuted church reenactment at church camp has remained in my mind ever since. Columbine showed me my faith could be tested at a moment’s notice, and even here “in the land of the free,” my faith could cost me my life. But I know, like the girls in Colorado and those persecuted Christians in foreign lands, I have a Savior worth trusting, worth believing, and without hesitation, worth claiming.

When spring turns to summer, I can’t help but think about church camp. I think about all the lessons I learned, the memories I made, and the friendships that developed there. Away from the distractions of the world, we focused on growing closer to God. Seven years as a camper and 17 years as a counselor, it is time I still treasure. I am grateful for the opportunity to invest in the lives of young people. My prayer is they leave church camp with a memory like mine—one that makes an indelible mark on their lives.

About the Columnist: Sarah Sargent is a third-generation member and leader in FWB Women’s Ministries. She has been active at all levels of the ministry from an early age. She began serving on the WNAC board in 2013 and has been a member of the Shine team since its inception. She is the president of women’s ministry at Reynoldsburg FWB Church and vice president of Ohio FWB Women’s Ministries. She is a proud alumna of The Ohio State University, loves all things Disney, and her Labra-doodles Regal and Lexi, working with children, and being outdoors.