Setting up campsites in the rain. Building entrances (in the rain). Coordinating logistics (in the rain). Solving unexpected problems (in the rain). And through it all, making sure every young person has a safe and meaningful experience. Did I mention the rain?

For the thousands of young people waving flags, forming friendships, and worshiping God as one large family, camporee is an unforgettable experience. Making it possible takes countless hours of planning, late-night meetings, early mornings, exhausted volunteers, and leaders who give everything they have.

Our Texico Conference brought 246 Pathfinders, staff, and leaders to the 2026 Southwestern Union Pathfinder Camporee at Lake Whitney, Tex., for a weekend of fellowship, adventure, worship, and spiritual growth. For our Club Ministries leadership team, the days were long and the nights were often short. Our volunteers worked tirelessly, sometimes beginning before sunrise and continuing well into the evening. There were challenges to overcome, schedules to adjust, and moments when exhaustion was simply part of the experience.

Yet, through it all, we were reminded of something incredibly important: We are not simply organizing events. We are investing in eternity. Our Texico Conference Club Ministries slogan is “Make Heaven Crowded.” These three simple words represent so much more than a catchy slogan or something printed on a banner. They are the heartbeat of our ministry. We believe that every young person matters. Every Pathfinder who walks through our camp entrance, every child sitting around a campfire, every teenager participating in worship, and every young person struggling to understand their faith is a disciple worth investing in and a soul Jesus wants to save.

That is why we do what we do.

One of my favorite moments from camporee was seeing our Texico Pathfinder family gathered together in front of the entrance our team had worked so hard to build. Looking across the crowd of smiling faces, colorful uniforms, and leaders standing alongside their young people, I was reminded that this ministry is so much bigger than any one person. It takes an entire community of dedicated people who believe in the next generation. 

But as meaningful as that moment was, nothing compared to what happened at the baptismal waters when three young people from the Texico Conference publicly gave their lives to Jesus. Surrounded by fellow Pathfinders, families, pastors, and friends, these three young disciples made decisions that carry eternal significance. For those of us who spend countless hours investing in youth ministry, moments like these are difficult to put into words. They make the long hours seem shorter. The sleepless nights, sore feet, stressful decisions, and endless responsibilities begin to fade into the background. The exhaustion is still there, but it no longer seems important. Because standing before us are three young people saying, “I choose Jesus.”

Those three decisions make every sacrifice worth it. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus reminds us, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (NKJV).

That is the calling of Club Ministries. Not simply to teach honors, develop camping skills, or organize great events, although those things certainly have their place. Our greatest responsibility is to help young people know Jesus personally, discover their purpose, and choose a lifetime of service to Him.

As we returned home from camporee, tired and ready for some much-needed rest, my heart was full of gratitude: Gratitude for our volunteers, directors, staff, pastors, parents, and everyone who invested their time, resources, and energy into making this experience possible—and most importantly, gratitude for the three young people who made decisions for Christ.

On the last day, the tents were packed away and the banners came down. In time, the memories of this camporee will begin to fade, but my hope is that the decisions made for Jesus will last for eternity. And when we finally gather in heaven, I pray we will see those same young faces standing among the redeemed. Until then, we will keep showing up, keep investing, keep serving, and keep making room for one more. Because our mission is simple: Make Heaven Crowded!