DAVIS—This summer, near Davis, thousands of children will learn about where God is at work “here, near and far.” CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp is poised for an especially impactful summer, according to CrossTimbers Program Director Sarah Hagar.
“From the time these boys and girls step on the CrossTimbers campgrounds until they leave, they will learn about the Gospel and the importance of missions.” said Hagar, who is now in her second summer in this role.
CrossTimbers is a longstanding camp program offered by Oklahoma Baptists and supported by the Cooperative Program, designed for children grades three through six. CrossTimbers had its origins as a Royal Ambassadors camp, and the strong emphasis on missions continues to this day.
“I am particularly excited about the missions stops, where the campers hear from real-life missionaries and ministry workers,” Hagar said. “We will focus on what the Lord is doing here in Oklahoma through Disaster Relief, and what is happening in North American missions in Nicaragua, as well as internationally.”
One of the goals of CrossTimbers is to give the campers a vision for missions that translates back to their communities. “We want to raise up a generation of kids with an authentic walk with God who actively serve others and be on mission,” Hagar said.
All told, there are 12 sessions of CrossTimbers, each which lasts three nights, four days. Churches across the state will bring groups of boys and girls and sponsors. CrossTimbers provides great activities for campers to enjoy in a fun and safe environment. Activities include a ropes course, target sports and water activities.
“The children of this generation—called Gen Alpha— are in a high-tech world, bombarded by screens and media,” Hagar said. “Camp is a great time they can unplug from all of that and hear from the Lord.”
Camp speakers include pastors from Oklahoma (see listing), and there will be powerful times of worship through music. For Hagar, the most rewarding part of CrossTimbers is the evening chapel and other times where she sees students responding to the Gospel and having other spiritual conversations.
CrossTimbers leaders place a high priority on the preaching of the Gospel, the Scriptures, prayer, Christian service and missions.
The theme of 2024 CrossTimbers is “Made New,” based on 2 Cor. 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”
“When we think about being made new in Christ, we are letting go of the world and the sin that entangles us,” Hagar added. “We are putting our identity in Jesus, and that’s what we hope and pray each of these campers experience.”
For more information about CrossTimbers, visit oklahomabaptists.org/crosstimbers.
