My name is Kory Sikstrom, my camp name is Summit, and I am SO EXCITED to be the new Executive Director at Camp Silversides!
I still remember the exact place I was sitting at Camp Silversides in 1997, when that first camper prayed to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior! I could not believe that God had used me in helping another person find Him and give their life to Him. I still can't fully understand how life has unfolded from that moment, but the direction of my life changed drastically.
I returned to college after that summer but knew chemistry was no longer for me. By early January I was on the plane for my first mission trip, discovering God's heart for the world, and learning about the ways God is at work in the world. I returned home and enrolled in bible college where I met my awesome wife Erin. We will have been married for 18 years next fall. My ministry life took me to work with the Mustard Seed in Calgary, then the Red Cross in Disaster management, and finally as a young family we moved to Romania to serve students in the city of Craiova for many years. Returning to Canada in 2018 I have had challenges and blessings including the close connection with family and the chance to work on a Master's at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Our family grew with Rachel (13) and Naomi (11). Two amazing girls that keep life fun, exciting, and ever changing. We love being a family on mission together and one of the greatest answers to prayer with this role, was the calling on all of us to come and serve at Camp Silversides. This isn't just my job, it is OUR calling!
Kory in a word: RELATIONSHIP I imagine there are others that make the list, but this one I can connect to all the other possibilities. As I begin my ministry at Camp Silversides, it is the word I am prioritizing and emphasizing as we wake the camp up from this season of Covid. The key relationships I see are our relationship with God, churches and volunteers, and young leaders.
Relationship with God - I believe we will best glorify, honor, and obey God by learning and teaching to live like Jesus as we become dependent and empowered by the Holy Spirit. From the top to the bottom, from a chapel, to a wide game, from a rental group to a volunteer kitchen crew, I believe that every person and activity we do at camp will provide an opportunity for growing in our relationship with God.
Relationship with Partners - I am specifically thinking of churches and volunteers when I think of partners. If Jesus is the head of the body that is the church that means the more diversity of people, denominations, gifts, back grounds, and ages we have joining our ministry, the better we will be able to experience the fullness of the family of God!
Relationship with Young Servant Leaders - My prayer is that the growth of the first two relationships will overflow into this third group. I believe camp provides a very unique and crucial opportunity for teens to live in community on mission with other Christians. I am hoping through this experience of focused biblical training, work skill development and leadership practice, while done in community outside our normal environment, teens will develop a love for serving with other Christians, and experience the strength of serving in unity. Ministry doesn't only happen at camp, but camp provides a great place for training in ministry to take back to our homes.
What about the campers? I think I could round up enough people to make kids have an awesome camp week with out focusing on these three relationships. But I think even more that campers could have a transformational experience this year and for years to come, and communities will receive world changers for years to come, and churches will see kids, teens, and volunteers return more fired up for Jesus if we can focus on those three priority relationships. Campers will have a great week, but rather than make that our goal, it will be a product of our work growing deeper in our relationship with God, inviting our partners to share in the ministry, and investing in those who spend the most time with those needing to hear the good news of Jesus.
I am really looking forward to meeting many of you on this journey. If I could ask three things in this first introduction:
Please share this with your friends, family, and congregations.
If you are interested in attending camp or serving at camp this summer you can find that info here.
If your church would like me to visit and share about camp or even bring a message please contact me.
We are excited about what God is doing and excited to have you join us at Camp Silversides.
Camp Silversides is owned by One Hope Canada and has operated Bible Camps since 1929 as a non profit charity. At our camps, campers are taught how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ while enjoying an experience of a lifetime. Campers are supervised by trained and caring ministry team members who provide a safe, encouraging and positive environment for them.
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