A ministry of sweat and dirt

It was dirty, sweaty, smelly and noisy … and yet for our team it was probably one of the most beautiful ministry experiences of the year.

On the last weekend in July (27-29 July) we hosted our annual Work & Fellowship Camp at Luther Heights Youth Camp, Coolum Beach. Work & Fellowship Camp is a simple event that continues the tradition of the old-fashioned working bees of yesteryear. There’s lots of sweaty hard work, generous helpings of food to fuel the workers, and the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made a difference.

So it was at Work & Fellowship Camp again this year, with 72 participants from across South-east Queensland coming together to beautify and improve our stunning campsite. Together they cleaned, stained, concreted and painted, completing a mountain of work that will benefit our ministry for years to come.

For participants like Jono Pukallus, Work & Fellowship Camp was an opportunity to give back; “As a teenager, Luther Heights gave me memories I’ll never forget and helped me on my spiritual journey. Now as an adult I can use my skills and talents to enable the ministry of Luther Heights to continue for younger generations.”

That was the motivation for first-timers, the Carney Family, too, who returned home “contentedly tired after much chatting, helping, building, gardening, laughing, painting and concrete laying! What a wonderful way to give back.”

The work that was completed at Work & Fellowship Camp this year was phenomenal and is a tremendous gift to our ministry. And yet for our team the beauty of Work & Fellowship Camp is the intangible ministry that happens among the work. It’s the community built across generations as young and old serve alongside each other, sharing their skills and abilities to complete a project.

We were blessed this year to involve participants aged from 3 years old through to 76 years old. It was inspiring to watch as participants, regardless of age or ability, worked hard to complete their projects. As they served side-by-side, friendships were made, laughter was shared, and the gift of experience was passed on to the next generation.

Work & Fellowship Camp is an annual reminder that ministry doesn’t have to be complicated or strategic. It can be as simple and beautiful as a dirty, sweaty, smelly and noisy working bee.