HAPPY BIRTHDAY WARRIOR CAMP: 8 YEARS TODAY!

Date: September 8, 2015 AD
From: Nampa, Idaho

Hello Warrior Nation!

I hope you're doing well and that you had a great Labor Day Weekend!

I wanted to reach out and share that on this special day, September 8, 2015, WARRIOR CAMP celebrates it's 8th Birthday!  It's been a crazy, fun, God-soaked ride, and, God willing, we'll continue every year to launch the most epic games we can dream up, and more importantly, boldly point boys and youth to the Ultimate Warrior, Jesus Christ, who defeated sin and death and rose victorious from the grave, for you and me, and who calls and shepherds us to be men after His own heart.

Thank you so much for all your prayers, donations, support, and encouragement over these last several years.  You are Warrior Nation, and thank you so much for praying for us!  It's an honor and joy to be a part of what God is up to in this generation of boys and youth now, just as it was when God opened up a surprise-door and ignited our 1st Warrior Camp on that crazy, amazing day in the Fall of 2007.

For this special 8th Birthday of Warrior Camp, we're mixing it up!  First, we're announcing the 2016 Warrior T-Shirt Contest.  Whoever designs the coolest 2016 Warrior Camp T-shirt will get a custom, new Warrior Camp Weapon and New Ammo, born in the fires of the "Official Warrior Camp Laboratory of Epic-ness", and sent to them free of charge.  Don't wait!  Email me your design @ warriorcamp1@yahoo.com or text me a pic @ 208-866-0743.  Contest starts now!  :)

2nd, I have asked our 2014-2015-> Warrior Camp Rally (i.e. Chapel) Speaker Sam Antosh to share his heart in this special Anniversary update to you of Warrior Nation.  Sam is the man, and I'm thrilled to encourage you to check out what he shares below!  (And below this, I've included some cool links.  Check it all out :)

Thank you again for all your prayers and encouragement!  God is on the move, and is opening some new, exciting doors we haven't even shared yet, but we will keep you posted!  And so, without further delay, I'll pass the mike and we'll talk more soon.  Here is our 2015 Warrior Camp Rally Speaker, Sam Antosh...(thunderous applause!)  :)

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Warrior Camp Reflection

From Sam Antosh to Warrior Nation

September 2015

In the Fall of 2013, when Derek first contacted me about becoming the discipleship speaker for Warrior Camp, I had no idea what Warrior Camp was, or what sort of team I was becoming a part of. Two years later, I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of something so incredible and impacting as Warrior Camp. Having finished my second season on the team, I can truly say this camp has left an indelible impact on my life, and changed the way I look at Christian masculinity.

Warrior Camp is all about capturing a vision. A vision of what young boys can become as Christian men. A vision of a life of adventure, rugged service to the gospel, and good old fashioned manly fun.  I think now more than ever we need something like warrior camp. Something that encourages guys to be guys, to have fun, to break things, to experience intense physical activity, and to see the warrior heart of God through His Word. Exodus 15 tells us the Lord is a “warrior.” Amazing, isn’t it? The God of the universe identifies himself as a masculine warrior. In a world that encourages boys (and even many adults I know) to be lazy, self-centered, and passive, Warrior Camp points to the Word of God which teaches boys to be active, selfless, and courageous. 

I truly believe God has blessed Warrior Camp and marked it for His Kingdom. This year, we were able to go through the story of David and Goliath and encourage the boys to defy the culture in God’s name, to stand up for His honor, and to be men of the cross and warriors of the kingdom. There are times when I feel humbled to be a part of God’s business, and Warrior Camp is one of those times. Looking at the boys making commitments to become warriors of God’s Kingdom, and watching in particular a young man named “Jay” who had some pretty big physical limitations, participate in everything, reminds me that it doesn’t matter where we are in life, what age, what sort of physical limitations we have, what background we come from, or even where we are right now in our life journey. It only matters where we go from here. It matters if we let God make us into something for His Kingdom, if we let the Lion get His claws in our lives and change us. It doesn’t matter where we’ve been, but where we let God take us. Warrior Camp is taking boys into some powerful places for His Kingdom. I am so blessed to be along for the ride…

In His Service,

Sam

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Thank you for sharing your heart Sam, and for letting God use you to impact this generation of boys for Jesus Christ!  We're so blessed to have you on the team.


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WARRIOR CAMP 8 Year Anniversary Video and Pictures:

Video from the 1st Warrior Camp: 9-8-2007 @ Lake Lowell Park

Pictures from the 1st Warrior Camp: 9-8-2007 @ Lake Lowell Park

Brand New Pictures from the most recent Warrior Camp: 8-29-2015 @ Bethel Church

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God bless you all, and we'll talk more later!

For Jesus' Fame,

Derek
Joshua 1:9

WARRIOR CAMP 2015...T minus 1 month!

Date: 7-29-15

From: Nampa, Idaho

(Drumroll...) Hello Warrior Nation!

Today is 1 month to the Day until Warrior Camp 2015 in Nampa, Idaho! We're so excited how God is already blessing the "Ramp-Up". We've been developing our brand new Gaming Weapon, (which is classified for 1 more month), we have some epic new games ready to launch, and we're even more excited about the Rally (i.e. "Chapel") Theme that will challenge boys and their dads to be boys/men after God's own heart, and to boldly stand up for Jesus our King, no matter the odds.

Want to get involved? Here are a few ways you can help!

1. Pray for the Warrior Campers, all the Warrior Camp Leadership Team, the Rally Speaker, and all the Dads who will be competing. Can't say this enough. If God doesn't show up and do His thing, we might as well pack it up and go home. So please pray for safety, extreme fun, epic competition, and most importantly, pray for God to powerfully move in each boy and dad, kindling a flame of the manly stuff from God's Word that burns bright into eternity! Pray for boys and dads to get saved, equipped, and inspired in their relationship with Jesus Christ. "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." - James 5:16b.

2. Spread the Word! The More the Merrier, and if you want to help promote Warrior Camp 2015, that would be amazing. Simply call or text me (Derek) @ 208-866-0743 on how to get started. Flyers and Registration Forms can be picked up at the hosting church, which is Bethel Church of the Nazarene @ 3001 12th Avenue Road. Nampa, Idaho. 83686, Or, I can send you one if you email me at warriorcamp1@yahoo.com. Thank you!

3. If you feel led to help provide a scholarship for a boy/dad to compete @ Warrior Camp this Summer, or if you want to explore other ways to help out or get involved, feel free to let me know. Thank you!

Thank you Warrior Nation! And I encourage us all to be praying over these next 30 days as we lead up to Warrior Camp on August 29, 2015.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragement, and we will definitely stay connected.

For Jesus' Fame,

Derek 

Joshua 1:9

WC UPDATE!

Weapon Workshop 2015: Prepping For Launch!

Check out the pics below :)

Indiana Christian Camp Warriors...Get your game face on!

Huge ShoutOut to Amanda Slater, Trey Rogers, Micah Fyock, Rodney Human, Craig Cook and everyone else who helped with this Project, for all your help and heart!


-Ephesians 6. Look it up today. Powerful stuff!

Grow strong and God bless,

Derek

Approx. 115 Sword Cores: Gluing 115 Pommels = Done!
(Work Phase Completed and Pic Taken on 2-10-15)

Building the Drying Rack: 102 holes! So many, the drill bit finally "bit it" and went to heaven. 
(Work Done and Pic Taken on 2-10-15) ile emotico

Indiana Christian Camp Ministry Partnership!

From: Nampa, Idaho

Date: January 20, 2015

Quick Update: God opens doors that we can't!  We're  humbled and excited to be preparing a customized weapon workshop for a Christian camp in Indiana, and...they want 115 swords! Praise God for opportunities to team up in ministry, and big thanks to everyone who has helped out so far! We're excited about what God is doing in this generation of young campers, and seeing them become Warriors after God's own heart who know how to pray. Check out the Indiana Weapon Workshop Under Construction in the pics below.  Be praying for their Christian Camp Staff, and for God to do his thing this Summer in all their Camper's lives! Joshua 1:9. 

Incoming! New Year's Eve 2014 Update

It's about time! (Check out the pic). What's your guess?  Winner gets a prize!

Word to the Warriors...Um...just be fast in 2015! ... Yeah 

God bless ya'll Warrior Nation! Thank you so much for all your prayer, encouragement and support. It means more than words can do justice to. God blew us away with so many surprises in 2014, including a record # of camps, and camp ministry opportunity in Africa! Praise God! haha! It's way bigger than us, and only He can do that! 

He is doing His thing, and our team (another blessing from Him) is amped up about seeing His fame continue to grow and spread in this generation in 2015 as boys are inspired and equipped to be young men after His own heart! 

I hope you all have a Happy New Year and God bless you and your family!

For Jesus' Fame,

Derek

Joshua 1:9

Isaiah 43:19

CHRISTMAS UPDATE! . 12-26-14

From: Salmon, Idaho.

Hello Warrior Nation!

I hope you had a joy-filled Christmas celebrating Jesus coming to earth! If you didn't get the chance yet, check out all the wonder, awe, and powerful truth packed into Luke 2! I'd love to hear how it impacts you.

Much like Christmas elves, Warrior Camp is at full-throttle, and the proverbial steam is pouring from the chimneys of the Warrior Camp Game Laboratories as we gear up for 2015. 

Here's what's happened this year, and, God willing, what's on the horizon moving forward (and feel free to comment below :)

1. We've partnered with a Christian youth camp in Indiana, and they would like us to equip them with a signature Warrior Camp Weapon Workshop, complete with all the materials, info, tutorials and gear to allow their campers to build 115 gaming swords for July 2015. Were excited about this opportunity, and the prep has already begun!  More later :)

2. New Gaming Weapon Coming Soon! We're in the early phases of researching, developing, and creating a brand new Gaming Weapon for Warrior Camp that has been on the radar, but that we haven't tackled yet. God willing, it will be ready by Summer 2015, and each boy will get to customize their own, use it in the Battle Games, and take it home with them following Warrior Camp. Stay tuned for details!

3. This year for Warrior Camp 2014, after weeks of crazy trial and error, we had the opportunity to aim for creating a new, 2nd Generation Advanced Blow Gun with superior ammo, performance, and accuracy. God blessed our efforts, and in His amazing timing, He opened up a door for us to take this new game gear overseas in February 2014, on a strategic Christian mission trip, and partner with local Christian youth leaders for 2 Warrior Camps in Senegal, Africa.  On a dirt soccer field in a residential area of Dakar Senegal, and in a country that is over 90% muslim, young boys and teens heard the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own language! How do you describe something God does that leaves us speechless? Only God can orchestrate it, and if you have the chance to go on a local, regional, or foreign mission trip of any kind, there's no telling what He'll do. Since our team has returned to America, we've received emailed pictures of Christian ministry workers using the donated blow guns to play games with local Senegalese kids! God is doing His thing around the world, and we're excited about more and more young kids and teens hearing the life-changing good news of Jesus Christ!

Thank you so much for your encouragement, prayer, and support! We're excited about God's vision for this generation of boys and teens to know Jesus Christ personally, and grow as young men after His own heart.  May God bless you and your family as we countdown to 2015!

For His fame,

Derek

Luke 2

WARRIOR CAMP UPDATE! . 10-23-14

From the WARRIOR CAMP Facebook Page, posted on 10-23-14 (and subsequently uploaded to our Blog)

Rapid Update: The leaders of a Christian camp in Indiana "happened" to do a google search and they found Warrior Camp. (No, I didn't even know we came up in google hits either!) And now they want to partner with Warrior Camp for their Christian kids and youth camp next Summer! Their Camp theme for Summer 2015 is ... "Christian Warriors", and to coincide with their spiritual theme, they want our Warrior Camp Weapon Workshop, signature games and ... 115 swords! A humbled, excited and massive shoutout to GOD for what He's doing and raising up young warriors for Him in this new generation! (#Mindblown) (And if if anyone wants to help, I'll be in my garage!  )

"Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."

- Isaiah 43:19