Two going on Twenty-Two

by Michael Gabizon

People tell me that I am a creature of habit. This may be evident by my music style rarely changing, or the fact that I always go to the same restaurants and rarely order a different meal than the one I had before. The waitress hardly asks anymore; a quick nod and half-smile on my part lets her know “the same as usual.” This habitual lifestyle is no different when it comes to how I spend my summers.

For the past 19 years of my life, I have consistently attended Camp Shoshanah (Ariel Ministries' Program of Messianic Jewish Studies). From the age of two and onward, my parents consistently brought me to camp for three-week periods. My parents weren't pulled so much by it's beautiful location in the Adirondacks Mountains, nor because it allowed us to get away from Montreal's humidity. Instead, the reason we always returned was because of the rich scriptural teachings offered there every summer. Not only for the adults, but for teens and toddlers.

Powerful Place

This was more than a camp for me. It was a second home, and a place of spiritual retreat. Even in those years when I deliberately walked away from the Lord, camp was a place where I came under the conviction by the Spirit. The constant preaching of the Word, combined with great fellowship, allowed the Lord to move mightily within me. It was a place where I had the opportunity to speak with older and wiser believers, and at the same time being able to have fun with kids my own age.

I could never truly measure all of the wonderful benefits that camp has blessed me with, nor how mightily the Lord has used it in my spiritual walk. Once again, as habit keeps me in check, I will be returning this coming summer; however, I will not be going as a camper or student anymore. In recent years, I have developed a completely new lens through which I see my commitment, as I stopped being a camper and began working there.

Designed for Discipleship

In the spring of 2008, I received a call from the headquarters of Ariel with the offer to lead worship for the children's program at camp. Having finished my first semester at Moody Bible Institute, I was more than excited to serve for the very first time. The following year, they asked me to return, but this time to help teach the children's program. I was very excited about this opportunity, and I have immediately begun preparing Bible lessons.

The summer of 2009 became one of the greatest summers, as I was stretched and challenged. Then last summer, I was asked to organize and lead the entire children's program. Having been married for less than a month, my wife Hannah and I took off from Chicago for upstate New York where we had the awesome privilege of leading both the children's ministry and the music ministry. We had a lot of help from some wonderful co-laborers, one of whom was Christian Yurik, who will be back again this summer working diligently with our kids. We have also brought a couple of interns to work with us this summer as well.

In this upcoming summer season, I will be returning to the program for the 20th consecutive summer. Not only will we have the opportunity this year to lead the music ministry and children's program, but this will be the first year that I teach one adult session called Design for Discipleship.

I have seen how the summer programs' goal worked itself out in my life. This was designed to disciple and influence believers, growing them and rooting them in the Word of God. I see its powerful influence in my life and in the lives of many others who have attended. The Program of Messianic Jewish Studies is directed to both Jewish and Gentile believers (we hope you'll come join us this summer!) and focuses on raising up the next generation. I have seen this firsthand, and I am extremely excited to be taking part in this legacy.

Stay in Touch

If you would like to stay informed about our ministry in Chicago as well as the summer program, please feel free to e-mail us at michaelhannah.gabizon@gmail.com so that we can place you on our newsletter mailing list. Also, if you would like to contribute financially to our ministry in Chicago, you can send your donation to (please indicate Missionary - Michael Gabizon as the memo):

• Ariel Ministries
• P.O. Box 792507
• San Antonio, TX 78279-2507

Alternatively, you may donate online by clicking here (please select Missionary - Michael Gabizon from the GIFT INFORMATION dropdown).

Shalom!

May 12, 2011