He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers… I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (Malachi 4:6 and 2 Timothy 1:5)

Two of our most memorable Fall Camps this Fall Season have been “Mother & Daughter” and “Father & Son”. We were so encouraged to see parents and grandparents investing in their children, young and older, spending quality time together with their own kids and with like-minded parents. We got to see God turn parents’ hearts to their children and children’s hearts to their parents. 2000 years ago, Timothy had a godly mother and grandmother who shared their sincere faith with him, until he too believed and committed his life to following and serving the Lord Jesus. We are likewise all challenged to invest our limited time and resources in the coming generations that are closest to us. It is one of the most durable and strategic investments we can ever make! Let us be proactive in seeking opportunities while we can.

Of course, each son and each daughter must make their own decision, whether to follow or reject Jesus. We cannot force the issue. Even God does not force anyone. He is the patient Father who waits for each prodigal son and daughter to freely return to Him. And even Jesus had a Judas, who after three years of discipling, rejected and betrayed him. Nevertheless, we can and do play a significant role in instructing and encouraging those closest to us to come to Jesus and love Him, through our life example and our thoughtful words.

May the Lord help each one of us to grow in our own “sincere faith” and to be a faithful instrument in God’s hands to help the next generation to also grow in their faith and love for the Lord Jesus.

With all our best wishes for the Fall Season,

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn