Man Camp: Fighting Like Jesus

By Brayden Kunkel -  March 1, 2022

 

Man Camp is an annual event held at Camp Au Sable in Grayling, Michigan. This is my second time going. I can describe it in three words: fun, Fun, FUN! Everyone got matching shirts with the theme that said: How Real Men Fight. 1 Cor. 9:23-27. This was my brother Brody’s first time going to Man Camp. He said, “I loved the Nature Center the most, and loved to play the games at night.” 

When we walked into the “sanctuary” at Camp Au Sable there was a really cool boxing ring set up. We all signed the corner posts and prayed, asking God to help us fight as Jesus did. 

Pastor Harris told me, “One young man was so excited because his dad had REALLY accepted Jesus this weekend.” My uncle, Austin, was Brody’s and my chaperone. This was his first Man Camp too. He said,” Man Camp was amazing! Camp Au Sable did an outstanding job planning activities for the men as well as fighting for every man to be closer to Jesus.” 

Pastor Chad Bernard said, “Approximately 250 men from all over the USA came for this weekend, as far south as Florida and as far west as California. Because the theme was ‘How real men fight,” we were challenged to fight for each other through prayer, reading our Bibles and spending time together. 

Those who went from my school were Brody, Ezra, Christopher, Andreas and myself.  We had lots of fun together! We went sledding, played foosball and ate yummy foods in the cafeteria. I also really enjoyed the outdoor Sabbath activity called, “Upgrade.” My friend Ezra said, “I had a lot of fun with my friends, and I was so happy I won a sled.” 

Pastor Garhett Morgan, the pastor of Bristol, Reed City, and Big Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Churches, was our speaker for the weekend. He told funny stories of when he was a little boy that helped us focus on Jesus. He said, “Man camp is a place where we encourage men of all ages to reject distraction and focus on the real fight: ‘The Great Controversy’. The war for this world has already been won. Christ has conquered, but we each need to make a decision who will be the Lord of our lives.” 

I learned so much about prayer and made a commitment to fight like Jesus. I am planning to go next year and hope to see all my friends there.