Pastor Mark Bowers Blog

Don't Worry

2011-06-28T21:07:00.002-04:00

Sometimes when I pray about something, I keep worrying about it too. I don't worry that the sun will rise tomorrow or that it will set at the end of the day...it just does.

Philippians 4:6 tells us, " Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

As we pray for Superkids, keep trusting - not worrying. God answers prayer...he just does.

Needs Become Provisions

2011-06-27T18:35:00.004-04:00

Did you know that the song, We Believe, sung by Dan and Theresa is now available for you to listen to on YouTube? If you haven't heard the song lately, take the time to listen today. Focus on the line that Theresa sings that says, "this one remains." God reminds is in Philippians 4:19 that he will "meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." We can stand on that as we pray for Superkids. Today, pray again, stand on the promise of God's word and believe that all the needs for Superkids will soon no longer be needs but instead provisions!

Come, Just As You Are

2010-07-14T11:46:00.002-04:00

As we pray for camp today, I am so grateful that each of us have the privilege of going to God just as we are...not already fixed or all together. He receives and loves despite all our failures. One the first night of camp, we will give children the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior. My prayer today is that every child that does not know Jesus will begin a relationship with him. Please pray with me that even today God will begin to prepare every child to accept Jesus' love and forgiveness.
So many children are hurting, so many are broken, so many are lost - they desperately need Jesus. Pray today for the children. Pray that every child will be healed and will go home recovering and knowing they are compassionately loved by God.

O-H-I-O

2010-07-13T09:18:00.002-04:00

Several years ago, we were in Florida for a vacation. At about the same time, Ohio State was about to play Florida for the national championship. When we were out, we had fun watching for people wearing Ohio state t-shirts. When we did, we would yell, "O-H..." and wait for their response. Most Buckeye fans enthusiastically yelled back "I-O!"
I had no problem letting people know I was a Buckeye fan. Would I be as bold to proclaim Jesus to complete strangers? Romans 1:16 says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." The most important message at Superkids is to invite children to accept the salvation Jesus has already completed on the cross. We must declare that unashamedly.
As you pray for Superkids today, pray boldly that every child at camp will accept Jesus as Savior. Pray that God will give understanding and that children's lives will be transformed.

Multiplying Power

2010-07-12T09:45:00.004-04:00

Prayer is multiplied when we pray together. In Acts 4, Peter and John had just been released from prison and after telling their story, the people "raised their voices TOGETHER in PRAYER."
When I'm at camp, I love to go into the prayer chapel when the prayer team is praying. There is great power in their prayer because they are praying together. This week we are praying together as a staff for Superkids. Even though we are separate from each other, we can petition God for the same requests. There is unlimited power in our praying together!
Today, let's prayer together about these specific needs:
1. Protection for all of us serving on staff.
2. Unity among the staff - that we might serve together with one purpose.
3. The campers - that campers will immediately feel safe and relaxed at camp.
Back to Act 4 - verse 31 says that after the people prayed, the "place where they were praying was shaken." Together, let's shake our planet by our prayer!

Macaroni and Cheese

2010-06-08T14:26:00.002-04:00

Superkids is hoping to collect 1000 boxes of macaroni and cheese before camp ends this summer. The boxes are being distributed to area food pantries as a part of our "Superkids Gives Back" projects this year.

When I was a little boy, I loved it when mom fixed macaroni and cheese for lunch or supper. Maybe it was a favorite food when you were growing up too. If so, you are like most children. Macaroni and cheese continues to be an American favorite among kids. Moms like it too because it is so simple to prepare. It's simple and one of the "little things" in life that are memorable.

It's the "little things" at Superkids that make camp a good experience for the children. Sure, the things that happen up front on the stage are important but equally valuable are the little things...a hug from a counselor, a teen staff serving a cup of fruit drink, a kind word, a simple prayer, applying a band-aid, sweeping the floor. It all matters! It's all worthwhile.

Thanks staff, for all the "little things" you do to make camp happen.

"Did you hear what I said?"

2009-08-24T15:22:00.004-04:00

When I was a kid, my mom would give me directions for something she wanted done. Sometimes, it was to put toys away or books back on the shelf. Because I was so easily distracted as a kid, she would often ask me if I had heard what she had said. She wanted me to repeat her directions so that she would be sure I understood.

At Superkids, this year, God spoke to all of us some major stuff. We've been away from camp for a month now and sometimes we need reminded. Maybe God is asking us, "Did you hear what I said?"

God wants us to remember that he loves us, that he is thinking about us all the time and the he did something for us that no one else could do. He wants us to remember that he is not unable, not forgetful and not uncaring. Those are great things to remember.

So...be reminded of some valuable truth...maybe God is lovingly saying to us, "Did you hear what I said?"

We Got Drenched!

2009-08-04T15:04:00.002-04:00

When I was a junior in high school, I was a part of the Ohio Youth Choir at the state fair. I spent a week at the fair learning the music and working out how to march. One afternoon, we were practicing in a tent. We heard thunder but we kept practicing. Finally the storm arrived! Thunder and lightening crashed all around us; it was pouring rain. We ran from the tent to our dorm rooms. When we got inside, we were all soaked to the skin. We changed clothes,waited for the storm to stop and we went back to practice. I don't remember a time where I was so wet as that warm July afternoon.
We got drenched at Superkids this year, not in a heavy rain storm, but in God's love. Before camp, we were challenged to boldly love the campers. Staff, you met the challenge, you boldly and unconditionally loved the campers. They experienced a drenching of God's love that got right to their heart. I can't remember a weekend at Superkids quite like the camps this year. It was an amazing experience.
Staff, you are incredible! Thank you for all that you sacrificed to serve at Superkids. I hope a drenching of God's love got to your heart too.

Bold Service

2009-07-29T23:00:00.002-04:00

2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline."

As we serve at Superkids this weekend, I encourage you to serve with boldness. Boldly love the campers, boldly serve the campers and boldly express encouragement.

As a young person growing up in a church in Sugar Grove, Ohio, I am grateful for the example the pastor was to our church. He boldly loved each person in our church family. If you needed him to visit a sick family member at 2:00 in the morning, he was there. If you needed someone to listen and help you through a tough situation, he was always available. He told us he loved us every Sunday and showed it by his actions.

Serve boldly! Serve with zeal! Serve the campers with genuine love. I guarantee you will have an incredible weekend and the campers will never forget you!

I love you! See you at Superkids!

We don't say thanks enough...

2009-07-28T21:38:00.002-04:00

Sometimes we get so busy that we forget to say thanks and show appreciation for what people do at Superkids. So many give so much to make camp happen. Take a few minutes today to thank God for everyone who volunteers their time at camp...

1. Thank you teen staff - you are amazing! Camp couldn't happen without you. The campers love you!
2. Thank you adult counselors - you sacrifice so much for the campers. You provide strong leadership in your family group. The teens and campers look to you for direction.
3. Kitchen staff - you fill our tummies and serve us with genuine love.
4. Staging crew - you make camp happen smoothly and efficiently.
5. Nurses - you take care of our mishaps and treat us with a smile and encouragement.
6. Musicians - you make the worship services exciting and memorable...you lead us into God's presence.
7. Prayer team - your prayers take us to God and he visits us...he heals our brokenness.
8. Auxiliary (photographers, staff mail, cleaning, customer service, security) - you do so much and you make camp a more memorable and enjoyable experience.
9. Media - you make camp fun! You are an amazing crew!

Superkids is blessed to have a staff of over 200 wonderful volunteers! Thank you!

This weekend, take time to tell people how much you appreciate them. Bring along extra note paper and write a few special notes...express a spirit of gratefulness.

Above all, let's take the time to thank God for his faithfulness and favor on Superkids. We are blessed!

God is great! God is good!

2009-07-27T17:58:00.002-04:00

When I was a boy, I often prayed a simple prayer before every meal. The prayer started with "God is great, God is good..." Psalm 62:11, 12 says, "One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: That you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving."

Camp A was so blessed by God; he demonstrated his strength and he overwhelmed us with his love. God really is great; God truly is good. He displayed his character and I am confident that every child experienced a life changing move of God in their lives.

As parents and campers were leaving after camp, one mother took my hand and with tears in her eyes expressed her appreciation for the camp. She told me that she almost didn't send her son because of a difficult situation in their home. She said that after being at the closing, she was encouraged and grateful that her son had the opportunity to attend Superkids. God is good...

Please join me in praying that more children will have the opportunity to hear that God loves them, that he is always thinking about them and did something for them that no one else could do...give his life for them on the cross.

Staff...thank you for serving so faithfully at camp A. I am looking forward to being together again this weekend.

Imagine what can happen...

2009-07-14T22:36:00.004-04:00

There have always been many children who return to Superkids year after year. I remember one boy who had been attending Superkids for years. He seemed to enjoy everything about camp...the singing, worship services, the food and of course, Josh. His last year to attend Superkids as a camper arrived. I knew from the moment he got to camp that something had changed. He looked different, his enthusiasm was gone, there was no smile. He was wearing a black coat. It was summer and the facility we were using had no air conditioning. As the first service began in the worship center, he wasn't participating. He chose to sit alone, a few seats back from his family group. I started praying for this boy and asked the prayer team to pray too.

Camp was almost over...it was the afternoon of the last day and I had seen no change in this boy's response to camp. He was still wearing that black coat. As we were dismissing for lunch, his counselor came to me and said that this boy wanted to talk to me. We took a walk and ended up sitting under a tree near the dining hall. As soon as we sat down, he started telling me that he had been listening to evil music and had chosen friends that were a bad influence. He started to cry. Moments later we were praying together. He repented of bad choices he had made. After praying, we started towards the dining hall. He asked if we could stop by his cabin. I waited outside and a few minutes later he came out wearing different clothes and the black jacket was gone. He was smiling.

I saw this boy a few months later. He could hardly wait to tell me that he was being baptized on the following Sunday.

Prayer really does make things change. Imagine what will happen at camp this year as we take time today to pray. I encourage you to pray for these specific needs concerning camp:

1. Pray for the children who will attend - pray that many children will receive Jesus as Savior, that broken hearts will be mended.
2. Pray for our staff - pray that we will be encouraged and changed as we work together at camp.
3. Pray for the financial needs of camp.
4. Pray for the messages and teaching - pray that the word of God be spoken clearly.
5. Pray for a life changing move of God to happen at Superkids.

Thank you for praying today...your prayers could change everything.

God is Stronger

2009-07-13T21:41:00.003-04:00

At the meeting last Saturday, many of you on staff wrote prayer requests on the backs of the "Superkids Day of Prayer" commitment cards. I read through the requests today...many of you are experiencing difficult, heart breaking situations. As I thought about your concerns, I thought of a worship song that I've been listening to a lot lately. The song, "Stronger," (Hillsongs) says, "You are stronger, you are stronger, sin is broken, you have saved me. It is written, Christ is risen. Jesus, you are Lord of all."

NOTHING is bigger than God, NOTHING is over God, NOTHING is beyond his control. Last Sunday, my pastor said, "Nothing can stop God." Great words to remember when you are facing a difficult situation. What he has planned to do in your life, he will accomplish. He can't be stopped!

Today, as you pray for Superkids, pray for each other on staff. Though you may not know the difficult circumstances others are experiencing, God knows. Pray that all of us will have a deeper understanding of the strength and control that God has over all our situations.

Pray for the children. Pray that every child attending Superkids will grasp an understanding of God's love, of his faithfulness. Pray that every child will trust God for their circumstances. Pray that every child will leave camp changed.

You Have an Opportunity...

2009-07-12T22:08:00.003-04:00

Years ago, I went on a short term mission trip to rural West Virginia. Our project was to make repairs to two mobile homes. The first home needed painted inside, windows replaced and repairs to a small deck. The second house was almost uninhabitable. The house was home to a mother and her three school-aged children. The floor of the house was so bad that a washer had fallen through to the ground, the plumbing didn't work and the family lived mostly in the living room. Repairs included new floors, new plumbing, new carpet and restoration of the bathroom.
While working on the second house, I had the opportunity to spend some time with one of the children, a boy, likely 10 years old. By the end of the week, we had become friends. As the week came to an end, we said our good byes. As I turned to leave, my new friend asked me to wait a minute. He returned a minute later and handed me a small toy, one we had played with that week.
Yes, repairs were made to a couple houses but the greater repairs happened in people's lives. All I did was give myself to help a struggling family.
At Superkids, you have that same opportunity...to be a part of repairing broken children...loving and caring for them as Jesus did.
As you pray for Superkids today, ask God to give you opportunities to make repairs while you serve at camp. Remember, Mark 10:16 tells us that Jesus "blessed" the children. Now you have the opportunity to do the same.

Welcome to my blog!

2009-07-11T09:19:00.002-04:00

Welcome to my blog!

Starting on Monday, July 13, I will have a short encouragement and list of specific things to pray for concerning Superkids. These will continue through Wednesday, July 15, the "Superkids Day of Prayer."
Following those blogs, I will continue to write blogs at least weekly,,,maybe more often. I hope you will visit when you have the time.
Gosh, Superkids is just 11 days away! I know camp is going to be "fin-tastic!" (Get it?...you know, fish have fins...sorry!)

Mark