Theme(s)
New Life Ranch is so cool we have to have two themes! Each summer gets a theme (Change Agent). The Change Agent theme is the focus of our Bible studies, chapels, Word time and Cabin Talk Back (think of it as the spiritual theme of the week).
But why stop there? Each week gets a theme also! This theme is a little more fun, a little silly even. The weekly theme is the focus of fun skits, meals, and games. If you want to go all out on your time at NLR bring a costume (or two) that matches the theme! Here are this summer's themes:
The overall idea of this summer’s theme of “Change Agent ” is to speak the truth into the lives of campers. The theme is based on I Corinthians 9:19: Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
There are lots of things that can change, but we are going to focus on five:
II Corinthians 5:17 / I Corinthians 15:1-8 / John 1:1-5, 14 / Matthew 26-28 / 1 John 3:16 Who is this Jesus guy? Where did He come from? Why does He matter? What’s this I hear about dying and raising from the dead? All of these are questions that must be answered and understood before even discussing the idea of being a “Change Agent.” Seeking to impact the world in the name of anything or anyone but Jesus is fruitless in the scope of eternity. Jesus why we would become a Change Agent.
Matthew 5-7 / Luke 10:27-28 / Philippians 1:21 /
Galatians 2:20 Every one of us has a need for Him. We’ve all sinned and fallen short of His glory. Fortunately, the story does not end there as God provided a way for us to be rescued and redeemed, being brought out of darkness. We don’t have to pay for the rescue, it is just up to us to accept it. We can then live in freedom knowing rescue and redemption have come.
Mark 10:43-45 / I Timothy 4:11-16 / Philippians 2:3-8 So I want to love the Lord like those verses in Luke are talking about. How do I do it? What change needs to happen in my life so I can love Him with all my heart, soul and strength? My culture has basically taught me to look out for my own interests first and foremost and this teaching of Christ says nothing about this. I think this serving others thing may have something to it; how do I prepare myself to impact others?
Luke 10:27 / I Corinthians 13 / Galatians 6:9-10 /
James 1:27 I want to impact the people around me. I hear a lot about telling people about the love of Christ. And I know that is important, but what about all of the other needs of people? Does Christ want us to serve people in those ways? Why? I want to know when I’m supposed to serve and who I’m supposed to serve. Please give some direction and focus to the desire within me to serve God by serving the people around me.
I Corinthians 9:22-23 / Matthew 28:18-20 /
Ephesians 6:19-20 It’s obvious to me that Christ wants me to love more than just the people around me. Does He want me even to love people in other countries that I’ll never meet? Is He the God of all nations? If this is true, I need to figure out how to serve them just as I’d figure out how to serve the people across the street. Is just giving money enough? There seem to be so many needs both here and in the world, how can I actually make a difference?
This summer's weekly themes are:
Week1 Western: Howdy folk! Is dis New Life Ranch or da Wild Wild West? Bring your cowboy hats and boots and brush up on yer country lingo as we’ll be having a grand ol’ time yellin Hee Haw all week long.
Week2 Superhero: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a NLR camper? Superman, Spiderman and Wonder Woman have all been sighted here during Superhero Week. Who are you going to be? Don’t hesitate to get creative and make up your own Superhero – you never know, you might discover something special about yourself.
Week3 Wild World of Sports: Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport, the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat – this is a week to bring your athletic jerseys & gear, support your favorite team and be ready for all kinds of action from the Wild World of Sports.
Week4 Holidays: Do you ever wish you could celebrate a holiday more than once a year? How about celebrating all of the holidays all in one week? Well, this is definitely the week for you. No holiday is too big or too small to be recognized at NLR. Bring your santa hats, your Halloween costume or your pilgrim get-up and be ready to experience a week long holiday!
Week 5 Decades: Bust out your history books to discover what those old folk used to wear! It will be a blast from the past as you’ll see people who would have fit in during almost any decade in history. It will be hip, cool, gnarly!
Week6 Tropical: Aloha & shiver me timbers are just a couple of the phrases you’ll be hearing at NLR this week. Beach bums, tourists, hula girls and pirates will abound as NLR is transformed into a tropical oasis. Come ready to have some fun in the sun!
Week7 International: The Ranch becomes a melting pot for people from all kinds of cultures and nations this week as we celebrate the nations of the world. Where have you been? What ethnic wear can you get your hands on? Represent the nations proudly this week at NLR!
Week8 Animal Kingdom: Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! These are just a few of the animals sure to be represented at camp this week. What’s your favorite animal? Get creative and see what you can find to enter our Animal Kingdom!