“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him, you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.”
Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT

The invitation to belong is for everyone. The experience of belonging is for those who respond by believing in Christ Jesus.

I serve as the 3rd leader of Warm Beach Camp Ministries. It is a sacred trust, honor, and privilege. My connection with this ministry is deeply rooted in my family’s history. My grandfather and grandmother, Elmer and Eva McDowell, were part of a larger group of people who went all in to carve out this ministry from the land.

Later, my father and mother, Bob and Muriel McDowell, brought our family to live and serve at Warm Beach Camp together, where my dad was the second director, following Winfred McMullen. God gave me a specific call to come and serve as the third director over the past 30+ years. I have history, connections, and relationships that run deep. There is not only a profound sense of calling, but also a deep sense of belonging.

God also brings new people into this ministry. They come with a call, enthusiasm, and commitment. They are all in. There is a shared commitment to the mission and values God has rooted us in. They have ideas, experience, and contributions to make. They are genuinely excited to belong.

Sometimes, after a few months or years, I have observed this issue of belonging emerge in some individuals who are not connected to the generational heritage and relationships of the place. For some, there is a sense of being on the outside looking in. It feels like a family you long to be part of, but are not sure you will be invited in. I grieve when this happens.

Paul gets to the heart of the matter and offers us clarity around belonging together in Christ. The newest person joining the ministry team is meant to receive the same level of belonging, community, and trust that has been graciously offered to me over the years. Sure, it takes time to cultivate deep and lasting relationships. The opportunity is to ensure we provide the culture and space for that to happen. The contribution and creativity of the new is meant to be welcomed and accepted in the body of Christ.

This requires intentionality to ensure everyone is at the table, contributing to who God has called us to be and what He has called us to do together. For me, it means setting aside any sense of privilege because of my generational heritage and connection. Engaging in welcoming new people and having an openness to what God is bringing about through their lives, so that God’s will may be done through Warm Beach Camp Ministries.

It means being careful with statements like “you don’t have the history” or “us” and “them” language.

Christ invites us to give the gift of belonging to others coming into the body of Christ. Reach beyond the comfortable, established relationships that have been cultivated over time and ensure the new is seen, welcomed, and invited to share in the depth of the mission and community together.

Reflect on Paul’s words to the new followers of Christ in Ephesus. There is something so powerful about belonging. Jesus offers this to us. Paul reinforces it. We get to live it out. Some of the people who will lead and serve Warm Beach Camp Ministries into the future are first-generation names who Christ has called to come, believe, and belong alongside those who have generational stories of the people and the place.

Belonging is part of the beauty of the Body of Christ. Shared citizenship. Shared community. Shared family. All following Christ together.

Ed McDowell, C.E.O.
Warm Beach Camp Ministries