Reset! Oasis Camp, hosted by Branches, was truly a “reset” for our youth. God’s presence was at camp this year and the youth were blown away by their experiences. Surrounded by nature and with no technology for four days, they have an opportunity to connect with Jesus in new ways.

The theme this year was centered around Hebrews 12:1-2:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

At camp, the youth and counselors had a chant that focused our attention on this verse.
“Hebrews Twelve. One two, One two…
Drop the weights.
Run the Race.
Set your eyes on Jesus’ face.”

After a few rounds of the chant, everyone would yell: “RESET—right now, right now” and the chant would begin again from the top. Reset.

Camp is an opportunity for our TML staff to connect on a deeper level to youth. During Cabin Devotions, one youth was really struggling with if she could stop a bad habit. She said she didn’t want to “drop the weight” because she didn’t think she’d be fully committed. “I want to follow Jesus, but I need to stop sinning first.” TML staff encouraged her that despite our human attempts, we are not the ones to clean up our lives. Jesus is. Reset. Jesus didn’t come for healthy people, but the sick. Reset. He died for us while we were sinners. Our bad habits might not change overnight. The more we learn more about Jesus and His love for us, the more we walk closer with Him, the less attractive those heavy sins will become.

The last night that same youth wrote these words, “I realized I don’t have to be perfect in order to follow Jesus.” She said she wanted to “put two feet in, instead of one foot.” She wanted Jesus to reset her life.

The truth is, we all need a reset. Not just our youth, but all of us. Omar, one of the staff from KIX, another participating ministry, said it like this: “We don’t need just a daily reset, but a moment-by-moment reset.” That is true for all of us. Reset.

Choosing to follow Jesus is a journey. It happens over time. There are days we will mess up, and we will need to reset. So, we will start again giving God the stuff holding us down, getting back to our purpose, and fixing our eyes back on Jesus.

Here’s what other youth shared from their experiences at Oasis camp,

“I don’t want to go back home; can we stay another week?”
– N. G.
“I’m going to make an effort to be different when I get back.”
– J.L.
“After tonight’s worship service, I felt a weight lift off of me!”
– A.P.

Drop the weight.
Run the Race.
Set your eyes on Jesus’ face.