#27 The Summer Camp that changed everything

On being a disciple and the power of multi-generational impact

As the Christian conference season kicks into full gear, two of my children, Micah and Sienna, are about to embark on their own Summer Camp adventure again. What makes this so special as a Parent is that I know how impactful these events have been on my own spiritual journey.

I think I was about 14 years old at something called the Dales Bible Week when I heard an inspirational leader called Jonny Matthew make a missional invitation that has somehow worked its way into my soul; 

“I don’t just want to see this place filled with the same old faces next year. I want to see this room filled with the lost and the broken young people from your school and your neighbourhood…”

I am not sure what it was about these words from Jonny, but on reflection, it was perhaps the first time in my life I realised that the good news of Jesus wasn't only for me. On that day I first said my own feeble version of “Okay God, send me.” It was more of a whisper than a courageous shout. I believe the Holy Spirit caused something to stir in me and it triggered a lifelong agitation that we cannot stay in our Christian bubble. 

But the Summer Camp that changed everything? That was undoubtedly M:Powered. 

It started in the 1990s, at a place called Beaumanor Hall, Loughborough, and it quickly became a defining place of fun, laughter, memory making, and life-changing encounters for a whole generation of my peers growing up. 

During one Summer, my friend and mentor Andrew Hulley, who was the leader of M:Powered, announced that the Camp would cease to operate unless a new leader stepped forward. I was devastated, since it had a significant impact on my life, and it saddened me to think it might end. Coincidentally, around the same time, I felt a compelling urge to see a Youth Conference centred solely around the theme of who Jesus was and what he has done for us. So I remember talking to Andrew one day, sharing what was on my heart, and kind of blurting out that if no one else would step up to lead M:Powered, then I would do it!

Afterwards, Andrew told me he knew it was me who should take it on all along!

Spot the Leah in this Old School Summer Camp pic

Now you have to understand the context here. I was not exactly leadership material in the obvious sense. When I took on the running of M:powered in 1999, I was 19 years old, and ever so slightly annoying. Looking back, I cannot believe how much of a risk was taken on me, and I will be forever grateful for the time, challenge, input and covering that was given to me by Andrew, Trenna, Linda and others.

In many ways, you could see the five stages of coaching/discipleship at work in the way Andrew, and others alongside him, trained me as a leader. 

1. I do. You watch. We talk.

2. I do. You help. We talk.

3. You do. I help. We talk.

4. You do. I watch. We talk.

5. You do. Someone else watches.

I used this model myself when we handed on the leadership of M:Powered to others years later. Sometimes you have to be thrown in the deep end. It is not so much ‘do or die’ but ‘do and disciple.’ 

Some say that leaders are made in the field. I say real leaders were made in that field.

Despite my inexperience, raw enthusiasm, and blatantly obvious ability to drop leadership clangers, God did amazing things anyway. Turns out God still speaks through donkeys. 

For me it was the teamwork that made M:Powered so special.

We served up to 200 delegates with 30 volunteers. Together as leaders, we had to erect a huge marquee, set up the entire camp, organise the catering, administrate the delegates, arrange the worship band and PA, and deliver dynamic preaching and teaching. There was no sense of “that’s not my job” - it was an “all hands on deck” approach. This was both thrilling and exhausting at the same time.

Things didn't always go according to plan. At one point, we dealt with a virus outbreak and had to create a quarantine bay in a cabin. There was also an issue with overspilling sewage. I can't remember if they were connected. We even had a couple of near miss lightning strikes (I kid you not). But on the plus side there was once a solar eclipse and no one looked directly in the sun for too long… so that’s a win.

Yet there were also powerful times of worship and incredible moments in God’s presence often leading to salvation. Creative moments of response, like commissioning people with dog tags embossed with the inscription “joined together to serve Christ, his Kingdom, and his Church” still resonate today. The fun level was 10/10 with an inimitable mix of crazy games, last night talent shows, late night chats, and occasional fire breathing.

I recently found a few comments online that sum up what the camp meant to so many: 

“I went to the first M:POWERED in 1997 cos my mum insisted I went! I was from Manchester and didn't know anyone. I became a christian that year and then went back the next year and was a leader in 1999.”

“M:POWERED... WOW. Thank you, thank you thank you, that is all I can say. It was amazing, extreme and powerful and all because God manifested himself there. I was changed, for life.”

Years (even decades) later we still get messages from people whose lives were impacted.  A huge personal highlight for us is the way some of the young people (you know who you are) have grown up and become close friends of ours beyond the Summer Camp. Many are making a difference in the workplace, raising families of their own, or have taken on the leadership of churches. A disproportionate number have dedicated their volunteer or even career time to working with young people in some way. Maybe they too caught the bug for the next generation?

Without doubt, leading M:Powered was the one thing that has shaped and defined my leadership journey. I can honestly say it has set the trajectory of my entire life. But I am ‌not the hero of this story. It is the generation of young people that deserve all the credit. They were amazing (and still are).

After I married Leah, at the ripe young age of 20, we led the camp together and it soon became a family affair. Our son Joel was born on the 7th August 2004 on the last day of one of the M:powered Camps. Leah preached on the Monday, which was her due date, figured she better go home to rest by Thursday, and gave birth on Saturday morning. In-between contractions, she asked me to give ALL the details on what God was doing in the delegates' lives. We always say that Joel was born into the centre of the purposes of God for our family. Some of those young people we served now sow faithfully as adults with their own children into his life. 

That is the lasting impact of a multi-generational mindset.

Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” I believe I found out why I was born whilst being involved with those Camps, and I know many others who would say the same. I felt a sense of calling for the next generation through leading M:powered that has never left me. 

I felt that sense of purpose when we started a youth project in our local community and ended up working with 50 incredible teenagers every week in a village called Potters Green.

I felt that sense of purpose when I stood in another marquee in the desert in Mexico and shared my faith journey with young people as we built houses for those trapped in poverty. 

I felt that sense of purpose when we released Kleer Series, a video based media tool, that has started thousands of spiritual conversations with young people all over the world. 

I feel that same sense of purpose now as I lead a Charity that works with 12,000 young people and their families to transform live’s through holistic education. 

And I feel that same sense of purpose when I sit with my own children across the dining table and talk with them about the things that matters. 

There is a visceral multi-generational gravitational pull in my spirit that defines and drives my life. And my constant prayer is that others will catch it too.

As delegates gather to celebrate Jesus and leaders once again serve young people across conferences, all over the world this season, the question on many minds will be whether a Camp really can change a young person’s life beyond the Summer buzz.

I guess only heaven knows the real answer to that. 

But I know for a fact one certainly changed mine. 

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A note from Dave

If you liked this Substack article then you will love my new book Parallel Faith which is out in September. Without M:Powered I don’t think I would have the heart for discipleship I have today and I can’t wait to share the book with you.

“If you’re looking for a fresh approach to disciple-making and evangelism, Dave Boden’s book is for you. It’s filled with great stories, current research, and biblical principles. Boden takes a subject that is profusely written about and brings new insights and new approaches. You won’t find nice concepts here but practical principles and how-tos drawn from real life that will empower you to engage with people relationally and biblically where you live, work, or play.”

—Bill Mowry, author of The Ways of the Alongsider

You can Pre-order Parallel Faith today from your favourite bookseller. For the best deal in the UK (as of July 2023) I recommend Eden Books as it is comes with FREE delivery.