THEKA

"In the summer of 1997, I led THEKA for the first time as a theology
specialist. THEKA was a breath of new life for the former leader-in-
training camp. THEKA began with the premise that high school students
with leadership abilities and an interest in working at LOMC after
graduation needed a background in theology and ecology and were ready
to dig deeper into the theological themes and the natural environment
that LOMC offers. In THEKA, I encounter high school students who are
ready to engage their questions of faith and ready to learn how to
lead younger campers in their own explorations of Christ, the Creator,
and the breath of the Holy Spirit in all of creation.
Each time I return to lead a new group of THEKA campers, I meet former
campers who now serve on summer staff. Some share my story of finding
at LOMC a place to grow in faith and leadership skills that takes them
to seminary and into ordained or rostered ministry in the church.
Others follow a path toward a life calling in education, social
service or non-profit organizations while remaining active in their
local congregations as Bible study leaders, council members, youth
leaders and musicians. It is an honor to be part of the Christian
community that supports these young leaders in discovering and
enhancing their gifts for service in the church and in the world."
The Rev. Kristina Weber
Associate pastor of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Park Ridge, Illinois.

Christian Community

"Before my first summer at LOMC I don?t think I ever believed there
was such a thing as Christian community. It seemed like an ideal that
we should strive for, but I didn?t believe any group could truly come
close. But my experiences at LOMC showed me otherwise. In the love of
God there is such a thing as a Christian community, a community whose
foundation is the love of God and true love for one another. And since
that first summer I have tried to help create that community wherever
I have lived. The body of Christ that was the LOMC summer staff has
become my ideal of what living as a member of the Christian community
is all about."
Pastor Don Knowles
Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Moline, IL

Awesome

"The atmosphere, food, hospitality, programs, activities, and
especially the staff were all awesome."

Thanksgiving Retreat

"i loved the thanksgiving retreat. the place there was absolutely
beautiful. wonderful, beautiful, and very peaceful scenery. the nature
there is very nice, absolutely quiet, which gives a spark of beauty in
this scenery. the beds and rooms were very good, very nice and quiet.
the atmosphere was the cleanest i ever smelled, very pleasant. i loved
the programs, and all the programs were meant for all people, not
babyish, and not too adultish. everyone participated, had fun, and the
best of all, we used teamwork and had fun!!! i loved the hospitality,
everyone was very kind, the children, and also the staff members. they
would always have food for us, always smile, and was very nice. the
staff was nice, absolutely a wonderful family, and good christians. i
love it there, the money was sooo worth it. i want to go back next
year! :)"

Crate Stacking

"i really liked it and i think the most thing i enjoyed is the crate
stacking. to me it wuz a good challenge and i had fun so, i enjoyed it
a lot"

Uplifting Experience

"The family retreat was an uplifting experience for me. It was a
blessing to see many families together worshiping the Lord, and taking
part in various activities. The retreat site was cozy yet also
provided seclusion from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. I
could definitely feel the Spirit of God working."

God loves you and so do I

I try to support LOMC as much as I'm able because I remember well my enjoyable years spent at church camp, back in the 1940's. In those  days it was Long Lake Bible Conference in Long Lake IL. Today that area is all homes.

I feel church camp is a great way for young people to learn more about their faith while feeling and seeing God's work all around them.

Keep up the great work and hope to see you at the spring retreat.

God loves you and so do I.  

Bernadine Zommer

Grandparent Testimonies

~~ "I almost feel like a camper again - thank you for the opportunity"

~~ "By Friday night festival, I felt I was the grandparent of 18 campers
The early venture campers really appreciated the grandparents for
giving them a sense of security.  Their small group leader can't be
everywhere at once."

~~ "Campers were especially interested in a grandfather's model air-
planes and his air force flying experiences."

~~ "I was very impressed with the way all the staff interacted with each
other and other campers  - a high quality of energy and enthusiasm."

~~ "The small group leaders really needed support; there were some young
day campers who strayed and had special needs"

~~ "From comforting a homesick camper to laughing with them during
games and story time, I felt truly needed."

~~ "I had a good time with the children & the other camp grandmother"

~~ "I feel forty years younger while interacting with campers and small
 group leaders."

~~ "Most interesting is watching young children grow and develop in an environment
other than a classroom."

Everything I needed to know for Seminary...

If I say it once I won't get tired of saying this but Thank you Russ for the opportunity to work this past summer @ LOMC.
Right before I started there, a dear friend said to me "The reason why you are going is not because its another job opportunity but because God needs the opportunity to speak to you, alone."
The entire experience meant so much and still is and I am glad to be a part of the ministry :)
Kwame Pitts
Pre-seminary student at Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago

Slow Down

Sometimes the things we do at camp seem a little silly and inconsequential, yet in the under-current there is something powerful at work. God's Holy Spirit is alive and at work in the lives of campers and staff. Camp is one of the few places left in our busy world where we can slow down enough to let God speak to us and for us to consider what direction God may be leading us. Perhaps it is no wonder that so many of the Church's leaders, both clergy and lay, list their experience at camp as formative to their growth in faith. For the health of the church, it is important that we continue to support our outdoor ministries. More than just a place to have fun on a Summer day, it is a vital outpost for the Church's leadership development.
~Pastor Bill Callister,
Zion Lutheran Church,
Clifton, Illinois