What is the 3CA, you ask? 3CA stands for the Christian Camp and Conference Association.  The CCCA exists to help Christian camps accomplish their mission.  They do many things toward that end, but a big one is that each region has an annual conference which gives camp professionals an opportunity to “unplug” a little, network with other camps, observe trends, attend workshops where they can learn from each other, worship together while receiving encouragement from God’s Word, and don’t forget– the opportunity to eat lots of food they don’t have to cook. It’s a showcase for ALL the food service companies to show off their best offerings. 😉 (If you’re looking for a job in Christian Camping, you can check out the CCCA’s job boards).

{Lake Geneva Christian Center’s new dining hall is beautiful!  This is their serving area… 4 lines at two stations and a double drink station on the end.  About 260 camp professionals packed this area out at every meal.}

Our section is called the Minn-E-Dakotas Section because it includes the camps in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

{This picture only shows about half the dining hall.  There are windows all around, a fireplace on one end, and the serving lines are to my right.  Good to see these camps mingling, resting, and enjoying fellowship.}

Years ago, I attended the sectional with my husband every year, but after baby number three I just found it easier to stay home and take care of the family. This is the first year in probably a decade that I’ve been able to come and stay overnight for the whole conference. I have been loving it!

My favorite times have been the general sessions, when we have listened to a speaker teach from the word of God and enjoy a time of worship with awesome music. I know that music is not everyone’s worship language, but it is very refilling to my spirit.

The speaker has been Kirsten King, the Director of Youth and Family Discipleship at Maplewood Evangelical Free Church here in Minnesota. She really has a knack for striking her audience’s funny bone, but then she balances that with a message packed with truth.  If you’re looking to book a speaker for a women’s retreat or conference, she has my reference!

There are some retreats you don’t learn something new or deeply meaningful, and that’s okay because Retreats like that can be God’s way of affirming something He’s already been teaching you, or perhaps the get-away is an opportunity  for you to reach out and bless someone else at the retreat.

This conference has been a little different for me.  I’ve been laughing and crying (in a good way) a lot. There have been many reunions. I was SO excited to find a couple sessions addressing women’s ministry, because this is my heartbeat–this is the passion God has given me.  The worship time has been amazing. And the messages have each included some nugget that spoke to my heart.

After dinner Tuesday night, we enjoyed a wonderful drama  called, “The Psalm King” by Theater For The Thirsty created by Jeremiah and Vanessa Gamble.  Jeremiah is a product of growing up in a camp ministry family. 😉  I you live in Minnesota, I hear they do a fabulous show in St. Paul during February called, ‘Til Death: A Marriage Musical.  You can check it out!

It was a good 3 days at the 3CA, but I am glad to be home with our children.  My heart is full and still processing, but I definitely want to share what I learned after it sinks in…and I catch up on hugging my kids.