AIA Church Partnership Camps 2006

It has been an awesome summer. This year we had the privilege of working alongside 22 churches. Twelve in BC, 8 in ON and 2 in AB. Last year we partnered with 20 churches. Even though we had a few drop out of the race, we had several more enter it.

We had over 900 children attend these camps. This is 300 more campers than last year. The most exciting part is hearing tremendous stories of God working in the lives of children and their families.

Here are a few things that people have been saying:

"Soccer camp this past week was amazing...kids that didn't even like soccer at the beginning of the week wouldn't but the balls down by the end! There was such a good response to our team time material - our small groups were most often filled with chatter and lots of searching questions. Friday's commitment message also had a good response.....a number of kids were asking us coaches to pray for them and some even prayed on their own for the first time. It's so incredible to be a part of this!

During the last night we had a wrap-up bbq.....with such an amazing turnout! Over 80 people came....campers and their families. We had dinner and gave awards to all the campers. It was such an great way for the families to meet the people from the church and us coaches - i can't even count the number of incredible conversations and comments i heard. Comments like "I'm going to call the pastor of this church and let him know how amazing this camp was for my children" or "thank you for giving my kids an environment where they were loved, taken care of, and able to have so much fun!"....

Renee Grootenboer
Ontario Soccer Camps instructor

"This has been an EXCELLENT week. Your staff ... Sheena, Drew, Doug, Lana and Leah have been amazing ambassadors for AIA and for Christ - so thank you for sending such a wonderful team to us."

Vicki Bower
Children’s Pastor

Peace Portal Alliance Church in BC

"Our camp was fantastic. It is so great to watch God at work through those He sends - He does so much - not just to our campers, but our leaders, families, and the AIA staff as well."

Thelmae Eisan
Children’s Pastor
Cedar Creek Community Church in Ontario

God has moved and worked in more ways than I can count. I have experienced the power of his love, his grace and his faithfulness beyond measure. It has been a wonderful, incredible journey and has changed my life in more ways than one! I have been so blessed by the people that I meet and the stories and testimonies that I hear. Wow, what an opportunity to grow in and be challenged in your faith in so many ways. I have never experienced such a community of believers before. God has opened many doors and has given me amazing opportunities to share the love of Christ with these kids and to experience the power of his work. It has been such an encouragement in my own life in particular to share in my faith and my experiences and my past with those who God has purposely placed in my life for a reason. I have learned and grown so much from these kids and also from the billets and adults that we have been alongside with in this ministry.

Julie Zantingh
Ontario Soccer Camps instructor

"I want to say thanks, Michael played a soccer game the other night with more confidence and excitement than he ever has." and "I'm going to call the pastor next week, and thank him and tell him how great this week was."

~the mom of Michael, a high energy, super kid

"I am so thankful that my boys got to spend a week with strong, Christian males...their dad isn't a Christian and this past week taught them so much."

~another mother, who goes to a different church in Bolton, came to Matt and I, with tears in her eyes:

"You guys changed our kid's lives."

~a father and mother of three campers, Ally, Julia, and AJ