Missions Mania combines missions education, discipleship with outdoor fun.
Royal Ambassador Ryan Moore, 11, came to Texas Royal Ambassadors’ Campout and Missions Mania in November – the second time for the RA – “because I want to learn about God and tell others,” he said, but added his “favorite part is the axe throwing.”
It’s a common theme among many of the campers. They’re attracted by the fun of a campout with plenty of activities, but come away from the three-day event learning more about the work of missions at home and around the world, as well as deepening their relationship with God.
Savion Lee, RA Coordinator for Texans on Mission, said that formula is by design. “Missions Mania is a family weekend retreat for churches to get excited about being on mission for Jesus,” he said.
“Events take place through the weekend: We have all sorts of field activities in the morning and the afternoon. Families can come in, spend the night on Friday night and get ready for a full day's worth of activities.”
He said while the program starts with morning activities, “during the afternoons we have our missions emphasis where we open up a missions exhibit hall, Missions Central, where we bring in missionaries from all over Texas and in places from around the world to tell all these families how they go and tell others about Jesus.”
Lee said the annual event, supported in part by the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions, is “important for churches and families because we're all called to be on mission for Christ. To our families, to our communities and around the world. And so a weekend like this allows families to get excited about being on mission.”
Among those families is one, recalled Lee, that has answered the missions call. “One of our missionaries in Missions Central has inspired a family to go and be on mission themselves. And so they're beginning the process of becoming missionaries, using the trades that the Lord has gifted them with locally and in other countries.”
Missions Mania also holds opportunities for participants like Pedro Chavez, who is in his fifth year coming to Missions Mania, and Samuel Jefferys, who is in his 10th year of attendance.
“This is one of the camps that I'm able to spend time with my family,” Chavez said. “Probably my favorite thing to do is checking out the missionaries and, listening to what they have been doing and how they help out with sharing the Gospel.”
“There's a lot of fun going on,” added Jefferys. “There's camp crafts, do a lot of activities and we get to learn about the outdoors.
We get to learn about missionaries and just have a fun campout and learn about God.”
“I’ve been coming back because it’s a place to see other Christians...younger and older, where we can just get together. I got a lot of friends from our church, First Baptist Keller, and I've been just trying to bring as many people as I can. Why? Because I want them to experience the same experience I have and to glorify God in finding joy.”