A note from Jake Vaden

Last week me and 12 others from the HCC Kids team joined together with GracePointe Church down the road for an annual Kids Camp (VBS). The over 100 elementary aged kids who attended were primarily from our two churches and the general community. Kids brought their neighbors, friends, cousins, etc. I was reminded that there are people right here in our neighborhood who really do not know about Jesus. The Bible gives us this reminder in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

I overheard one conversation from a neighbor kid show an interest in wanting to know how to invite Jesus into his life. He asked genuinely and innocently, “What are the words so I can have Jesus in my life?” The leaders were able to talk with him more about what that means. For some kids at camp this was the first time hearing in-depth teaching about Jesus and others were able to reinforce truths that they’ve heard. I heard my son just a few days ago, singing a line of a song from camp, “Following Jesus changes the game.” Yes, it truly does.

I am sure that many other households have bits of songs and memory verses echoing through their living rooms. I hope you will join me in my prayer that my son and the other kids who attended will start to follow Jesus or continue their journey following him. Thank you all who helped directly and those who prayed for the leaders and kids during that week. Also, a huge thank you to the leaders of GracePointe in partnering together and coming together as one team to provide a space for the kids of Milwaukie and the surrounding areas to have a safe, fun, and meaningful event!

Jake Vaden
Family Pastor | Hope City Church