Youth minister answered call to ministry at summer MAC camp

Aug 10, 2005
VANESSA GARCIA RODRIGUEZ
Florida Baptist Convention

LAKE YALE (FBC)—Joining the military after high school was a reasonable option for Jonathan Elwing to consider—had it not been for the uneasiness that accompanied the thought.

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Elwing, associate pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Punta Gorda, had accepted Christ at age eight during a revival, and had been a Christian long enough to interpret his restlessness as a clue to consult God before making a hasty decision.

Jonathan Elwing, associate pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Punta Gorda, leads music during a week of MAC camp at Lake Yale where he served as the camp pastor and worship leader. FBC photo

So he prayed.

Soon Elwing remembered the summer at boys Mission Adventure Camps (MAC) camp when as a fifth grade student he committed his life to fulltime Christian service. “At the time I could feel God calling me to do something for Him,” Elwing said, recalling the night of his spiritual decision.

God was still calling.

Though he attended MAC camp every year since his commitment, he had not thought his decision at such an early age was still the path he should take. But as a high school senior, the more he prayed the more clear it became, Elwing said.

“When I sought God and what He wanted me to do with my life, He said, ‘Serve me.’”

The military no longer an option, Elwing enrolled in classes at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville and spent his summers serving on staff at MAC camp.

A pastor attending the camp in 2003 took interest in Elwing and offered him the position of youth minister at Trinity Baptist. Elwing accepted the invitation and still serves there today.

At age 24 he is a full-time associate pastor and student minister.

During his service at the church, Elwing’s responsibilities have required him to work with people of all ages and even coordinate disaster relief for the church during the 2004 hurricane season when Trinity was without a pastor.

“I can’t emphasize enough how MAC camp prepared me for my ministry at this church,” Elwing said. “Everything I learned at camp from working with children and adults to the disaster relief training I received has helped.”

Every year a portion of the Maguire State Mission Offering underwrites the cost of securing and training counselors and staff who make spiritual investments in the lives of young men like Jonathan Elwing.

The offering helps ensure there will be counselors to provide a loving Christian atmosphere for those who attend, Elwing said.

“Churches benefit as they give to help fund these camps because when the campers return home, they can be catalysts to help others grow spiritually,” Elwing said.

“This camp spiritually grows people. It grows leaders.”

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