He Calls Us to Serve!

When Emma arrived at Black Diamond Camp as a first-time camper at 13, she had no idea the impact that Camp would have on her future.

Emma grew up a very shy kid, who, upon her mother’s prompting, attended camp with Federal Way Four-Square. Her family did not attend church regularly, so she did not know anyone at camp. She quickly found herself out of her comfort zone. Emma remarked, “I hated it. I was a loner and just wanted to go home.” It wasn’t until a camp counselor noticed her that her experience with camp began to change. “She noticed that I was all alone and spent intentional time with me every night after dinner. We would sit together, talk, and she would encourage me. By the end of the stay, I became bubblier and was enjoying myself,” explained Emma.

With a newfound outlook on camp, Emma returned with the same group the following year. It was during that stay that the Trinity was revealed to her and she came to know God. The seed of faith was planted, and years later, in 2023, Emma surrendered her life to Christ.

Then, in Spring 2025, she felt overwhelmed about what to do next in her life, so she spent time in prayer, and ‘camp counselor’ came out of the blue. A few days later, she attended a job fair and saw a Black Diamond Camp banner at the Warm Beach Camp Ministries table. Feeling God’s prompting, she approached the table, spoke with recruiting staff, and prayerfully accepted a position for Warm Beach Day Camp.

Because of Emma’s specific wiring and introverted tendencies, the kids gravitated toward her peaceful presence. She observed that quiet kids became more outgoing, and rowdy kids became calmer. She was able to connect with the youth and hold space for them to speak about anything on their minds. She witnessed the excitement of learning Scripture, the joy in being gifted Bibles for the first time, and the wonder of exploring creation. She was also able to see 52 kids accept Christ into their lives!

“I was hesitant to take this position because Camping Ministry often calls for more extroverted personalities. But I am so thankful I did. I witnessed the truth of who God is planted in these kids’ hearts, and by His faithfulness that takes root and is watered. Then there is a harvest within them, and they, too, will become mentors later in life. Jesus calls us to serve, and in that, lives are changed.”

Emma joins a long list of people whose lives have been changed by Camp. Who knows what youth we are currently serving will return down the line and pay it forward to the next generation. We here at Warm Beach Camp Ministries have a sneaking suspicion, God does!