This summer proved to be a remarkable season for our CTO youth camps in so many ways! CTO Texas hosted 5 summer camp sessions with 47 young men and 13 young ladies attending camps, between the ages of 10 to 18 years old. After 33 days spent in the field and on the water, 26 hogs were harvested, along with some incredible fish, with 1 alligator gar weighing nearly 120 pounds and a catfish weighing almost 25 pounds, and our Saltwater participants catching well over 200 fish along with some sharks, stingrays and stories that will be told forever! From hogs, alligators, and fish, these kids had some adventures that will never be forgotten!
But as a ministry whose goal is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and share Salvation through Him, our Spiritual fruit was just as incredible! 7 young men and 1 young lady made the decision to follow Christ as their Lord and Savior! We studied about the lives of some old testament Biblical Heroes with this year's theme being "Heroes of Faith" digging into Daniel, "Shadrach, Meshach, Abendigo," Samson, David and Jesus.
Please know that 21 young men confessed their struggles and sin in their lives! 16 of these young men are dealing with pornography and asked for prayer and deliverance! The Holy Spirit moved on the lives of these kids in a mighty way! The love, grace and power of the Holy Spirit fed these kids and it was remarkable to experience.
Parents. Please try to have complete transparency with your kids about their struggles and what they are dealing with. Without condemnation and shame, we have to allow our kids a safe place to talk and share their feelings and struggles. Pornography and Sex is tempting our kids at every turn in life, or in modern terms, every time we scroll to a different picture, or page on Social Media. The phones have proven to be crutch; Social Media is the largest influencer being the number one addictive platform; and 8 out of every 10 men are going to look at pornography. While the cards may look stacked against us as parents and ministry leaders, we have to stand against this and pray over our kids and our families daily, battling this enemy that is coming at us hard! Please know there are many different App resources out there to help with accountability on Social Media and cell phone devices. Covenant Eyes is one of many, but we do have resources available to help conquer this battle we are all facing. If we at CTO can be a resource to pray with your kids and encourage them, don't hesitate to call on us.
Prayer warriors, as we move into this new season please pray for these kids and their families. It's time we get out of the bleachers and off of the sidelines, and get in the game. Through Christ, we stand in Victory knowing what He has done has final authority in our homes. We will serve you Lord!
This Fall, we will have some amazing opportunities in the field to serve the Lord and share some adventures that will have everlasting impacts on the lives of both kids and adults. If you want to be involved and or learn more about Cross Trail Outfitters - Youth Hunting and Fishing Club, please visit our website at teamcto.org/texas or give me a call and let's get you plugged in!
by CTO Texas State Director
Kevin Potts
