Teen Camp 2025: When God Moved in the Big and Small

Some weeks feel ordinary. Others feel eternal.
Teen Camp 2025 was the kind of week that rewrites stories, softens hearts, and marks lives forever.

🔥 Night One: A Holy Hunger

We started camp with a BANG—worship wasn’t just loud, it was alive. You could tell our students came ready for more than just fun and games—they came hungry for God. And He didn’t disappoint.

That first night, I knelt beside a student sobbing, heartbroken over her sister who doesn’t know Jesus. She prayed through tears, pleading for salvation on her sister’s behalf. I found myself praying just as hard, asking God to not only hear her cries but to use her as the light that leads her sister home. Oh, that we would all carry that same burden for the lost.

💔 Tuesday: An “Almost” That Shook Me

On Tuesday night, something happened that I’ll never forget. A student came forward during worship. When I asked why, I got a shrug. So I asked more—“Do you know for sure you’re saved?” A quiet headshake. “Would you like to talk more or make that decision?” Another “no.”

So I prayed. And they walked away.

My heart ached. I’ve never experienced someone stepping forward physically, but not spiritually. They were so close. And that moment stirred something deep in me—I haven’t stopped praying for that student since.

🙌 Wednesday: Answered Prayers in Motion

Then came Wednesday night—a wave of surrender unlike anything I’ve witnessed. One after another, students stepped forward, responding to God’s call. Some were called to salvation, some to ministry, and others to simply go deeper.

For me, it was watching prayers—years of prayers—walk to the front of the room. I sat weeping, not out of sadness, but overwhelmed by the goodness of God.

🙏 Morning Prayer: A Leader’s Reset

Something we began last year for the adults is a quiet morning prayer time in the worship center before our leader meetings. Just us, walking among the chairs, praying for the students who will sit in them, surrendering our own hearts to the day ahead.

As someone who used to skip the early sessions (I’m not a morning person), this changed everything for me. Since adding morning prayer, I haven’t missed a single meeting. The stillness, the unity, the deep cry for God to move—it grounds us.

🌅 Sunrise Worship by the Lake

One morning, something incredible happened. A group of teens from several churches decided to do sunrise worship by the lake. While it ended up being closer to 7am than sunrise, I couldn’t resist tagging along.

What I found was sacred:
Students worshiping quietly on the shore.
Teen boys and their leader sitting on the dock doing devotions.
And a stillness that felt like holy fire.

Sleep will never matter more than moments like that.

A Week to Remember, A Savior to Pursue

God moved in the big altar calls and the quiet lakeside devotions. He stirred hearts in morning prayers and late-night conversations. He called, He healed, and He spoke.

And we will never be the same.

Counterfit Christianity: Reattaching to the Vine

I haven’t fully shared all that God spoke to me back at the Exponential Conference, but one particular moment has kept echoing in my heart. One of the speakers, Drew Hygen, said something that stopped me in my tracks:

“It is possible to do things for God without Him.”

Just think about that for a moment. It’s possible to be busy in ministry, to serve, to show up, to check all the boxes—and still not be connected to Jesus. It’s not about the platform or the title; it’s about your heart.

Drew quoted two powerful verses:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5

And then this warning from Jesus:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven... Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
— Matthew 7:21-23

At first glance, these verses might seem unrelated, but together, they reveal something crucial: God is not playing. He wants a real relationship, not a performance. He’s not impressed by how well we “play church” or how much Christian stuff we can accomplish if our hearts aren’t truly connected to Him.

There’s a wild story in Acts 19:11-16 about the seven sons of Sceva. These guys saw the miracles Paul was doing in Jesus’ name and decided to try it out themselves. The problem? They didn’t know Jesus—they only knew about Him. The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” What happened next is kind of shocking—they were overpowered and ran out of the house naked and wounded.

It’s possible to “do” Christian things without Jesus.
That’s a crazy thought, right? Why would anyone go through all the motions—serving, attending, quoting Scripture—without actually being “all in”? Maybe it’s easier to blend in. Maybe it feels safer to look the part. Or maybe we forget that faith is about truly knowing Jesus, not just knowing about Him.

Reattaching to the Vine

So what does it look like to return to the vine? How do we reattach when we realize we’ve been living disconnected?

Jesus doesn’t make it complicated. He simply invites us back into relationship, back into rest with Him:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
— Matthew 11:28-30

It’s not about working harder, performing better, or impressing others. It’s about staying close to Jesus. It’s about letting Him fill you, refresh you, and lead you—every day.

So today, if you’re tired, if you feel disconnected, or if you realize you’ve been “doing for God” but not “being with God,” hear this:
You can reattach to the vine. You can return to real relationship over routine. He’s waiting for you.

Let’s refuse to settle for a counterfeit faith. Let’s choose connection. Let’s abide.

Do Whatever It Takes: Carry the Mat, Point to the Hero

One of my favorite sessions from the Exponential Conference was with the pastor from Church @ 1122. He brought us back to Mark 2:2—the story of four friends who carried a paralyzed man to Jesus. He asked, “Who are your four? Who would you carry? And who are the people you trust to carry you?”

That question stopped me. It made me think about the kind of faith that doesn’t just show up for myself, but shows up for others—faith that’s willing to do whatever it takes.

The truth is, sometimes God gives us the faith that someone else needs. In Mark 2, it was the friends’ faith that moved Jesus to act. Sometimes, someone can’t pray, can’t believe, can’t get up and walk on their own. That’s when we step in. We carry their mat. We dig through the roof if we have to.

We can make excuses or we can make a difference.
We can run to the mess, or we can sit in our comfy chairs. Jesus calls us to “do whatever it takes” to bring just one more to Him.

Here’s the thing: We aren’t the heroes in this story—Jesus is.
Our job is to carry, to love, to bring, to believe. The miracle belongs to Him. The fruit, the healing, the salvation—that’s up to Jesus. Mark 2:10-12 reminds us:

“He said to the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God…”
— Mark 2:10-12

If you are in Christ, He is already proud of you—not for what you do, but for who you are.
But He calls us to “pick up the mat” and get moving. He calls us to carry faith for others, to bring them to Him, and to let Him do what only He can do.

Reach one more person for Jesus today.
Don’t settle for comfort. Don’t wait for someone else to be the hero.
Bring people to the Hero. Do whatever it takes. all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

A Winding road to Ordination

What happens when the calling on your life doesn’t follow a straight line? When your ministry begins with piñatas in Sunday School and detours through broken heels, driveways filled with worship, and a TikTok devotional? This is my story—one full of pivots, prayers, and God’s persistent grace.

Ordination in the Church of the Nazarene can often feel like a long process—and sometimes, it truly is. Once you feel that undeniable call into ministry and others affirm it, the journey begins. For some, there’s a “normal” road: earn a religion degree, receive a Local Pastor’s License, interview for a District License, and two years later, be interviewed for ordination. But for many of us, the path is anything but straight.

People from all walks of life are called by God—doesn’t that blow your mind? He desires to use people of every background, education, and experience. Not everyone has a religion degree or formal training, but they can still be taught, mentored, and equipped to serve and lead others in Christ.

My journey started with a lot of detours. I attended Trevecca Nazarene University but pursued multiple fields—education, computer science, accounting—before circling back to education. Many times, I felt drawn to the Religion department, but I didn’t know what to say or where to begin. Women pastors were around, but they were few and far between, and I didn’t know any personally.

When Frank and I were newly married, we led a 4th-grade Sunday School class. I’ll never forget bringing a homemade pumpkin piñata to class. Frank, an avid softball player, brought in one of his bats for the kids to swing at it—indoors. Let’s just say someone got injured, and Frank ended up tearing it open himself. We were young and learning.

Over the years, we chaperoned countless youth trips and took our entire family to TNT and teen camp. Even before we were in full-time ministry, our kids were being raised in it. In 2014, Frank retired from the Sheriff’s Department and we stepped into the role of Children’s Pastors.

In 2015, we received our first Local Pastors Licenses. Our church board and Pastor Tony Miller saw something in us and believed in our calling. That same year, we left our four kids behind to attend our first Children’s Ministry Conference in Chicago. From Kids Camp to VBS, Teen Camp to Eggstravaganza, our hearts were full.

By 2016, we were being interviewed for our District Licenses. It felt like a big step—now people outside of our local church had to see God’s call on our lives. I’ll never forget being at Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center, all dressed up and nervous—only for my shoe to break moments before my interview. Someone loaned me flip-flops, and that’s what I wore to my first district interview. We shared our story and our hearts, and were granted our District Licenses that year. I started writing my thoughts down for others and began a blog, ButlerPerspective.

Pastor Tony taught us about church planting. We spent many afternoons driving around praying for direction. We sacrificed our Saturday evenings to share God with a fresh community. Though the church plant didn’t last a year, it was a pivotal part of our growth. I preached for the first time at River East and later at Bradenton, where Pastor Herb invited me to speak on a Sunday evening.

In 2017, we transitioned from full-time ministry, and Frank returned to the Sheriff’s Department as an SRO. We joined Coastal Community Church, a portable church that required dedication and planning. Under Pastor Steve Rhoades, we were mentored, stretched, and encouraged. We led children’s and youth ministry and also served in the Young Adult ministry.

In 2018, I attended my first Passion Conference with young adults. That May, I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Trevecca—walking the stage with a broken ankle. In June, my youngest was baptized.

In 2019, both my boys were given Local Pastors Licenses by Steve Rhoades and Coastal Community Church. I completed my Master’s in Religion from Trevecca. I was interviewed for ordination at the next District Assembly. But then, COVID happened.

In 2020, District Assembly was canceled, and ordination was postponed. We found ourselves without a formal ministry. We pivoted again—this time, opening our home for meals and fellowship. Easter found worship happening in our driveway, with my boys leading on a piano and our dear friend Ansley sharing the Word—all online.

2021 was a year of healing. I served weekly with Good News Club at a local elementary school. We made memories as a family, traveled often, and found rest. Frank and I also completed a Freedom Group at a local church.

In 2022, Mission Yth was born. I noticed several churches didn’t have teens going to camp—and I could name ten who needed it. So I reached out, drove them myself, and began forming our own grassroots ministry. We attended district events and listed ourselves under Mission Yth. We also began monthly dinners with college students in our home. In the fall, Frank and I attended the Billy Graham Law Enforcement retreat. It was a great time of connecting and letting go.

In 2023, Pastor Jose Orama invited me to serve as Online Social Media Pastor at Lehigh Acres Nazarene. I preached quarterly, redesigned the website, and managed all social media platforms. After that summer’s teen camp, I leaned fully into house ministry. We started a Girls Bible Study for grades 6–12 and branded our Sunday meals as “Theme Nights with Jesus.” Worshiping in our kitchen with 30 others is something I’ll never forget. We took a group of teens to Gatlinburg for Winter Retreat. I wrote a 7-day devotional and shared it on my blog. I also collaborated with other women leaders and wrote a 40-day Lent Devotional.

By 2024, I was District Licensed again. I was elected NYI President of Events. We celebrated a year of Theme Nights with over 50 people, a water slide, and a cookout. We fell in love with the church at Lehigh Acres and began serving monthly, building relationships with the teens. I attended a Law Enforcement Chaplain training through the Billy Graham organization. I also attended the Women’s Holiness Conference in Texas—rubbing elbows with hundreds of women with a call on their lives was amazing. After that, I came home and started using my TikTok more intentionally, leading daily devotions on the platform.

In 2025, after attending Exponential Conference and Fuel Retreat, Frank and I feel a pivot on the horizon. We sense God calling us to create a unique church—a resource for the local church and a refuge for the struggling non-believer. In Frank’s role as a detective, he often sees the need for practical and spiritual help. We’re still praying and discerning what this new chapter looks like.

This journey has been full of hills and valleys, but through it all, God has been faithful. And as we continue on the path to ordination, we know that His timing, His plan, and His calling are worth every step.

Crazy Prayers

I was given the opportunity to attend the Exponential conference in Orlando last week. Whew! I was challenged, encouraged, and filled by the Holy Spirit. I have so many pages of notes and need to sit in the presence of God again and mull over them. If I don’t take the time to fully sit in what was spoken- I fear that time will pass and no impact will be made on me.

Derwin Gray spoke on being a Kingdom Multiplier. He said, “Treasure King Jesus more than anything!” Wow. Thats good. He went on to share how ministry can not heal you. It will expose you if you aren’t rooted in Jesus. He referenced Phillippians 3:7-9 and said Keep Your Eyes on Jesus. People do not come to church for a ted talk- it’s not what they need. We will not have revival in our hearts if we havent treasured the King. Jesus doesn’t ask us for our resume.

His second point was “Treasure King Jesus more than the churches brand!” WOW! He asked, whats your legacy? Cool Merch? He referenced, Ephesians 5:25-27 and said you don’t have to be on the stage to multiply something. The greatest lie of the enemy is that you don’t have something big. Should we repeat that? THE GREATEST LIE OF THE ENEMY IS THAT YOU DON’T HAVE SOMETHING BIG! He then encouraged us to pray prayers that are CRAZY! What do we have to loose?

His third point was “Treasure being a healthy disciple of Jesus more than being known.” They need our holiness more than anything else. Your charter needs to outrun our gifting. He referenced 1 Corinthians 1:30. We need to share what God saves us for, not just what he saves us from. Its better to hear you are a good man/woman than to hear you are good at ministry.

I came in late, flustered over traffic and was rushing. I sat in the hall, I walked into the building, and worship was happening- I didn’t even look for a seat. I stood by a mom with a baby; I didn’t even want to put my things down- I just started worshipping. So when Derwin walked to the stage, I was surprised, thinking I had missed the message. I immediately dropped my stuff and pulled out my journal to take notes. The part that really stood out to me was about praying crazy prayers. Is there such a thing? Do I pray safe prayers? My prayers tend to look like, “Thank you for today, for my family. for my blessings, help….be with….heal…give us guidance on…” but what would a crazy prayer look like? We say here I am use me, but are we really ready to be used in a crazy way? Or do we settle at things? Over the weekend I heard of Pastors being used in what we would call CRAZY ways. Can you imagine starting hundreds of churches? Not one church but hundreds. What would our lives look like if we began praying crazy prayers?