Easter services at EBC were fantastic, with a record number of people attending. It was especially exciting to have the young people attend the Good Friday service (who in previous years would normally have left for Easter Camp on Thursday evening). There was a real sense of the EBC family being together on this special occasion to remember the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus.

The service was communicated by the youth leaders as the official start of Easter Camp which is a great concept and helps to unite the youth with the rest of the church. Many parents of the young people were also present, which was a bonus, when many might not otherwise attend church. Some years ago, Easter services at EBC were rather insignificant as many families went away; they have now become a high point of our calendar year.  We will increasingly focus on preparing well for these services and the opportunities they present.

I spent Sunday afternoon at Easter Camp - held at Rostrevor College this year - and was very impressed with the facilities and the exceptional organisation and enthusiasm of the youth leaders. The afternoon seemed to operate like a well-oiled machine with various teams of young people competing in a variety of competitions. Being a grandad, of some length of years, I was able to relax on the sidelines with my granddaughter and watch the afternoon’s proceedings. Old age isn’t such a bad thing after all and I didn’t even get thrown in the massive pool, although I was threatened a few times, but a few well placed punches gave my would be assailants something to think about!

Amidst the fun and excitement of youth camp is always a work of great spiritual significance going on in young lives that are emerging into adulthood. Camps are always an amazing opportunity to orient young peoples’ minds and hearts towards God and His will and purpose for their lives. The results are not always seen, but steps of faith, conversions to Christ, and baptisms, bear testimony to the often unseen work of the Holy Spirit.

Praise God for EBC and the vibrancy of its spiritual life and health, may God help us to continue to mature, honouring Him with our lives and serving His purposes for His glory.

God is good, all the time!