Camp Holsby – Summer 2014
Camp! It’s been a blast this summer to host groups from all over the map. We enjoyed both Swedish and German youth and family camps, and an international youth group of around 15 nations. Our lives have also been enriched as we’ve shared God’s truth and love with the guests. People have encountered Jesus this summer and He has changed lives! Take a moment and watch some of the highlights from this summer.
Holsby welcomes the world
This coming September our Holsby family will welcome its 42nd group of Bible school students. Though you may not be here in person, I hope you welcome them as well, through your prayers and ongoing testimony of what Jesus did in your life when you came to Holsby. As for my wife and me, September will be the start of our fourth Bible school here in Holsby, which is as hard for me to believe as the wonderful fact that we are going on six years of marriage and expecting a third child this September.
Each year it is a blessing for Holsby to be able to offer full or partial scholarships to students from areas of the world where Bible teaching and a supportive community are not so accessible. In the past years we have had students from Poland, Romania, Armenia, Latvia and Russia. These students are always a great addition to our student body and invaluable agents of change in their home countries or wherever they go. We can usually support 1-2 students every year, but this year we have had three requests from Mongolia, Poland and Uzbekistan. We are delighted to make it possible for all three students to join our community!
Below you will find a picture and short testimony from each of these students. We ask our scholarship students to raise the money for their flights and visa, and then depending on their financial status, a certain percentage of their tuition. If you are at all interested in supporting our scholarship program and the immediate need of these three students, you will find information below the student bios on how to give.
Hello, my name is Tuvshinjargal from Mongolia. My family and I very happy to study in Holsby Bible School. My prayer requests are:
1. I really want to know God’s words and live in Jesus Christ.
2. Please pray for me and my son’s future life.
My name is Salim. I am 22 years old, and my nationality is Tajik. I am a Christian from my childhood, and from Uzbekistan. Above all, from this year I’m looking forward to God’s blessing. I would like you to pray that all ended perfectly school year and have learned more about God.
My name is Agata and I am from Borne Sulinowo, a small town in northern Poland.
I’m 23, and by God’s grace, His servant for six years. I do love God’s Word and I really like to learn Bible from leaders of my church and study it with women and teenagers.
I have heard about Holsby from my pastor, Tomasz Krążek, who was there 11 years ago. I have dreamed about it since few years, but I think the perfect moment for me to do it is now. I’m looking forward to know my Lord better, to know Him deeper, stronger, closer.
If you are interested in supporting our scholarship program, you can send financial support to:
From North American (tax deductible): A personal check made out to Holsby Bible School with “Holsby Scholarship Fund” written on the memo line. You can mail your check to:
Holsby Bible School
P.O. Box 3581
Estes Park, CO 80517
USA
From Germany (tax deductible): For purpose of payment (Verwendungszweck) you can write “Holsby Scholarship Fund” and if you want a receipt from Bodenseehof at the end of the year, be sure to include your address. If you don’t need a receipt for German tax purposes, then use option three below.
Christliches Jugendzentrum Bodenseehof e.V.
Ziegelstrasse 15
88048 Friedrichshafen
Germany
Sparkasse Bodensee
BLZ 690 500 01
Konto Nr. 20 118 949
IBAN Nr. DE35 6905 0001 0020 1189 49
Swift / BIC – Code: SOLADES1KNZ
All others (not tax deductible): Wire directly to our Swedish bank. The information is below. Be sure to include in the information that it’s for the “Holsby Scholarship Fund.”
SWIFT/BIC CODE: SWEDSESS
IBAN CODE: SE3980000081505244126421
Attention: SWEDBANK Vetlanda
Clearing # 8150-5. Account # 24 412 642-1
Name on account is: Fackelbärarna. Make sure to include your name on the wire.
COMMENCEMENT
The Holsby class of 2013-14 is now history! May 29 was a holiday in Sweden – “Ascension Day” – but it was also a celebratory commencement day at Holsby under beautiful skies and a seasonably warm sun.
John Poysti opened our commencement gathering with a few words of greeting and encouragement. He remarked on how nice and neat everyone looked in comparison to the day of their arrival at Holsby nine months previous. After many hours of travel and jet lag, the arrival day “look” was in stark contrast to the commencement day “look.” But then John said that the contrast was not only an outward one, but an inner one as well. During this year, God had changed the students from the inside out, and that change too was very evident. And the Lord will keep on changing and forming us into the image of Christ. Just as Paul told the Philippians:
I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you
will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
Students were together in their family groups as they received their diplomas. Inside the envelope was also a bookmark with a verse – chosen especially for each individual student by their group parents. Then one of the staff prayed over each group – that these young people would daily walk in trust and obedience and keep their focus on the Author and Perfecter of their faith!
Principal Luke Thomas gave a charge to the students from Acts 1:4-11 – the account of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Using as a pattern that day so long ago, Luke challenged the students to:
- Find/make fellowship
- Keep talking to God, though you may not always get the answer you expect
- Live by the Spirit
- Go out and make disciples of all nations – an empowered task that will be empowering (make practical the impact of this school year on your life)
- Be physically present in people’s lives in meaningful ways
- Know that God will meet you in unexpected ways at unexpected times to “keep going”
- Remember Christ is coming back – we have a lot to look forward to because we’ve been given hope
Luke concluded by reminding them that though the physical environment will be changing for them, their spiritual environment is always the Lord Jesus – and HE is everywhere! BE that “aroma of Christ” in order to draw others to the Lord!
But thanks be to God,
who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession,
and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.
For we are the aroma of Christ to God
among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,
to one a fragrance from death to death,
to the other a fragrance from life to life.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Cameras were plentiful on a day such as this. There are dear friends to be remembered and memories to be preserved. There was a lot of excitement as students, staff and visitors shared together in various ways – but lurking closely behind was the thought that “tomorrow” is the day of departure! We will never again be together like this until we meet in heaven! That is a wonderful hope!! In the meantime, there are many ways to continue to encourage one another at a distance, and times of reunion to which to look forward.
We all rounded off the day with a scrumptious barbecue in the Pavilion (thank you kitchen staff), and a round of Australian “bush dance” on the soccer field, led by Cloudy. One student commented: It was a great way to hang out with some we hadn’t spent so much time with during the school year.
God bless you all as you walk into the future of what HE has for you. Walk in obedience, trusting HIM for each step! HE is the Faithful One!!
Ti: A story of beauty
It all began when one of our former students asked if we would be willing to sponsor a young lady for a year at Bible school. Our former student had been involved in discipling this young woman, whom we will just call “Ti,” and she believed that Ti would benefit greatly from a year at Holsby. There was a “risk” involved, because of Ti’s difficult past, but we agreed to offer her a scholarship and trusted the Lord to do what He does best: redeem an impossible situation and make something beautiful in His time.
Ti recently posted an update on her life, written by a very special lady who became her mother. The article is long, but well worth your time. You will find Ti’s story at the following link: http://madetomother.com/2014/05/26/a-mother-to-the-motherless-stephanies-story/
The Holsby Bears
This year the Holsby basketball team had another successful season – although that success was not always seen on the scoreboard…
The Holsby Bears (from TorchBEARerS) were not the most talented team in the league, but we played with heart and made steady improvement throughout the season. Beyond that, we were able to accomplish our goal of honoring God, both on and off the court. After each of our home games, our players shared testimonies with the opposing teams and it was great to see God speaking through these students who were willing to stand up and speak. We know that His Word will not return to Him without making an impact on those who heard it.
The year was highlighted by our mission trip to Poland, where we led a basketball camp and taught sports and English at the local schools. I think each of the guys fell in love with the Polish people as we shared God’s truth with them and they embraced the Bears. At the end of the week, about 12 kids trusted in Jesus and many others were touched by His love through us. We will continue to pray for these kids and for the emerging church there. Former Holsby student and current missionary in Poland, Diana Chinn, was responsible for organizing our visit and will be following up with the new believers there. We hope to return to Poland next year to continue this ministry.
Our goal every year is to worship God in all that we do as a team. This year’s team did that with a joyful heart and was rewarded by seeing lives changed by God’s love.
DA BEARS!
Coach Danny Stephens
Holsby Winter Retreat 2014
When you put together February, snow, cold and students with a lot of energy, you get the Holsby Annual Winter Retreat.
Throughout the year there are a number of ways we realize how much we’ve come to enjoy and appreciate one another, and the winter retreat has become a fun way of doing that. If you haven’t yet, grab your fika and check out this video covering our second annual winter retreat.
Is there life after Holsby?
Yes, there is life after Holsby! Proof came this week through a visit by Kerstin, Magda and Markus. They had all been students and had also worked as volunteer staff and now were back for a week to reconnect.
Markus, Magda and Kerstin reconnecting with Holsby
Christine and I sat down with this happy trio for some Swedish fika and we talked about life after Holsby. As is usually the case, their time at Bible school had been formative and life-changing. And like many students before them, returning home seemed daunting and overwhelming: “Will I just fall back into old patterns and habits? Will God take care of me beyond the safe confines of Holsby? Will anyone back home understand the changes that have taken place in my life? Is there life after Holsby?”
Markus: “I prayed more often after Holsby than while at Holsby. And I prayed differently. While at Holsby I felt God’s presence so clearly, but at home I was more dependent on knowing God was present. And that changed the way I prayed. Sometimes I was confused by what God seemed to be doing – or not doing – in my life and circumstances. Things didn’t just fall into place right away, and my job situation was confusing and frustrating. It was really tough. But I had the sense that God was with me. People back home told me that I’ve changed. In my opinion, everything changed!”
After finishing a year of civil service in his native Austria, Markus will start his studies in architecture at a university in Vienna.
Magda: “When I got home, I realized that I had changed, but many of the circumstances at home had not changed. I was afraid to fall back into the same life as before. And, in some ways, that is what happened. It was hard for me. I tried to share with others some of what had happened in my life while at Holsby, but not everyone wanted to hear about it. In a way I can see why so many students are afraid to go home, because they have changed so much. But I discovered that there is no good reason to fear, because God had prepared the way for me. Yes, there were new things to deal with, but the Lord helped me to handle them, and He also helped me to handle the “old” things – just differently!
It is so important to make the decision before you leave Holsby to trust in God’s faithfulness, and that He will care for you when you get home. Be open and willing for changes in your life, and be on the lookout for God’s preparation to meet the inevitable challenges in life!”
Magda comes from the same youth group as Markus back in Austria, and is studying to be a teacher of religion and English. Magda finds herself still using the word “fika,” and can’t understand why her friends look at her strangely!
Kerstin: “I see so many things differently than before I came to Bible school. Some of my friends back home have also changed and have gone in a completely different direction. It was helpful to be busy as soon as I got back home, so as not to fall into a hole of disappointment and apathy. It took me a while to realize that life does go on back here at home in Germany. It has been so encouraging to see and experience many little answers to prayer. It shows me that God does care for me; it is so good to see!”
Kerstin is studying International Management at a university in Karlsruhe, and hopes to make an impact for Christ in the business world.
Many years ago, the believers in Philippi may have been asking similar questions as our Holsby students. When faced with the apostle Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, they were maybe wondering: “Will our faith survive? Will God take care of us?” And Paul writes to them these wonderful words of encouragement and hope: “…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6). We all can place our hope in this same promise. Yes, there is life after Holsby, because there is life in Christ!
Camp Holsby
Camp Holsby. The same place, but with a new name! This last year we’ve been going through a bit of a rebranding process in the Camps and Retreats part of the ministry. As part of a push to connect better with both Sweden and the German speaking countries, we are officially launching our new camp website this winter. Please take the chance to surf through the new pages of the website and, of course, to watch our camp video. Above all, spread the word about Camp Holsby! Click on the screenshot below to see the new Camp Holsby website.
Links to the Camp Holsby website in all three languages:
Swedish: www.campholsby.se English: www.campholsby.se/en German: www.campholsby.se/deMany of you have encountered God via Holsby at some point during the 40 years this center has been in existence. We want to continue to be a Torchbearer center where people meet Jesus and are changed forever. If you’re ever interested in the possibility of bringing a group, either youth or family, don’t hesitate to contact us. We always love having former student and staff led groups come back to Holsby for a camp or retreat. Watch our new Camp Holsby video and share the link with your friends:
As the new calendar year comes upon us, may we remember why we even count the years as we do. As we look back on the celebration of Christ’ birth let us look forward to this new year with Jesus as leader of our lives. Happy New Year from all of us at Camp Holsby!
Christmas @ Holsby
This is a season of joy! We rejoice in the Child Who came to be born and the Son Who was given – Jesus, God’s Son!
And HIS Name shall be called –
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace!
Isaiah 9:6
JULKONSERT: This verse from Isaiah was the theme verse for our Christmas concert this year at Alsedakyrkan. “The King Has Come” was our theme. Lots of joy was expressed by both students and staff through beautiful and meaningful musical sounds, dance, and devotion. Kristi-Anna Eldridge led our choir (comprised of both students and staff) and was the responsible person for co-ordinating the whole program.
Other numbers included a small Swedish ensemble; instrumental renditions presented by a string trio, violin solo, French horn solo, and bagpipes played by our own principal, Luke Thomas; and an amazing a cappella ensemble wishing us all a “Merry Christmas.”
Following the interpretive dance to the music of the song, “City on Our Knees,” John Poysti shared a very appropriate devotion, parts of which follow:
“There is a Latin word that describes this attempt to hide your identity, it is the word “INCOGNITO.” Kingly and other famous people like to go incognito sometimes to avoid unwanted attention.
So, the question arises: did King Jesus also come incognito to this earth? The Bible teaches us that the eternal and kingly Son of God clothed Himself in the form of a human and was born in a humble manger. Not really the kind of entry one would expect from a king, let alone the King of kings. Did Jesus really want to hide His identity and avoid unwanted attention? Was that His purpose? I don’t believe so. Jesus didn’t come as a human in order to hide His identity as the Son of God; He came to reveal His Father and the message of salvation in the only way we could understand. He came into this world in a beautiful display of love, where two worlds collided: the earthly and the heavenly. And it was only because Jesus came in the form of a human being that we can fully and finally understand who God is.
There is another Latin term for how we treated Jesus. The term is “PERSONA NON GRATA” – an unacceptable person. If you have been convicted of a crime, or if your presence is seen as a threat or inconvenience in any way, there are some countries that will turn you away at the border. They will tell you that you are a “persona non grata.”
Jesus, the King of kings, was also treated as a persona non grata. But, we didn’t just confine Him … or send him away .., we nailed Him to a cross. And there on the cross, Jesus took the punishment for our sins that we deserved – in an act of supreme love. It was a dark day for humanity, but the Apostle John tells us that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). The good news is that death and the grave could not contain King Jesus. On the third day He rose again. He offers us forgiveness for our sins and hope for life eternal. Jesus is alive. He is here! The King has come. May we receive Him as our King and worship Him on our knees.”
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LUCIA – A very Swedish tradition for the 13th of December is Lucia. When the nights are long and dark (some consider this to be the longest night of the year), Lucia comes as a bearer of light.
It was busy in the office that early morning as the staff put on their “robes” and prepared to present Lucia to the students. Breakfast was well underway in the Holsby dining room when sounds of singing were heard. Lights went off and Lucia and her train entered carrying plates of pepparkakor — the hard ginger snap kind of cookie which is especially favoured at Christmas time. Swedish student, Anna, was the bearer of the candled crown this year, accompanied by our oldest “Teebee,” Kayley!
Origins for Lucia have their variations. She is an ancient mythical figure from the 300s, who gave much to the poor of her city but was eventually stoned to death. It is one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with clear reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth.
JULBORD – The last official event of the fall term of Bible school is our big Christmas smörgåsbord, prepared so amazingly by our gifted and artistic kitchen staff!! This year’s delicious meal had a new flavour – more of a Japanese influence.
Students and staff were delighted as they walked into the dining room past the tables laden with all these delicacies! Then they seated themselves at beautifully decorated tables aglow with candlelight! Small tea lights at each table setting were specially wood-burned by Elke with names of Jesus. These were gifts to each and every one.
Excitement pervaded the room as people shared with one another many special things – including thoughts of the upcoming Christmas travel and reunions with family for the holidays.
May you have a most blessed Christmas as you celebrate with family and friends the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. HE is King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords. Give HIM the rightful place in your hearts and homes as you celebrate HIS birth!
As Swedish greetings go for Christmas and the New Year, we here at Holsby wish you all …
EN GOD JUL & ETT GOTT NYTT ÅR
Outreach in Åhus
Over travel weekend, we (Karalie, Katrina, Luisa, Lisa and David) had the amazing opportunity to assist with leading a confirmation camp for youth in Åhus, on the Baltic sea in southeastern Sweden. After the three-hour shuttle and bus ride down, we arrived at our destination. Upon arrival, we were asked to lead in worship that night. Although we weren’t prepared for that, our team had all the abilities required. This was a real blessing, and throughout the camp we realized how perfectly God had prepared the trip for us and put together our team.
Throughout the weekend we periodically led worship. Introducing English songs to the youth was a challenge at first, but by the end of the weekend, all of them had learned the songs and some were found singing around the dinner tables. Friday morning was our opportunity to lead the morning devotional. Lisa spoke on the parable of the four soils, which really opened up the theme for that weekend, “Which soil will you choose to be?”
That day we got to know the youth a little better as we interacted with them a little bit more outside of the service. We got to choose between seeing the beautiful sights of the town of Åhus or hit the beach for some sunshine, swimming and ultimate Frisbee. It was a great time to develop some bonds with the youth, and learn more about the lives they lead, and just hang out.
Our role at the camp also had us lead some group activities. That evening we took half of the youth outside to get them active, and then half inside to focus on more team building exercises. Both were a hit. We also participated in the activities organized by the other leaders. In one of these activities the youth were challenged to write down a burden that they had been dealing with. We then went on a night walk down to the beach where they had a fire burning to cast their burdens into.
Saturday was our opportunity to be involved in some of the teaching. Friday had the youth sitting through classes and learning different aspects of what we learn from Jesus through what He said and did. There were four more classes for them, and we split up to lead two, one being on the topic of prayer and the other on how to read the Bible. At times, overcoming the language barrier was difficult, but we were able to have our classes translated by a leader as well, which helped keep the youth engaged. There were some really good questions and discussions, and it was good to see the youth wrestle with the subjects.
Sunday morning was perhaps the climax of our part of the camp. Luisa and David shared their testimonies to encourage the youth to take steps of faith. Before we left on Sunday we challenged them not to leave without taking something personal away – without being changed by God.
Åhus truly was an amazing time for all of us, although we came home tired and exhausted. We pray that the seeds we helped sow will continue to grow and develop as the Lord sees fit.
