I was 15 years old, not exactly sure what I wanted to do with my life. But then again, what 15 year old does? All I knew was that working with my dad in the summer heat is not what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life.

I received an invitation from a dear friend of mine, to attend a Preacher Training Camp in Lewisville Texas. I decided that i would go. My life has never been the same since.

This is truly a unique camp. It is a camp that is not just “centered on” the Bible, but starts with the Bible, ends with the Bible, and is filled up in the middle with the Bible. I had an opportunity to sit at the feet of so many great men of God. I sat there, wishing that one day I could influence lives the way that they were influencing mine. I have had an opportunity to be a part of this great camp (If my calculations are correct) for 9 years.

Preacher training camp will be this upcoming week. I am extremely excited, because this is by far my favorite week out of the year. I love having the opportunity to sit and learn, be encouraged, help younger guys learn how to develop their thoughts into sermons, and spend time with ministers who are my age, older, and younger.

I wanted to just put a note on this blog about PTC for 2 reasons:

#1. It is my plea, that all who read this post, will take time to pray for this upcoming week.

Take time to pray for the campers that will be present. Pray that  their hearts will be open and receptive to God’s word, and His will for their lives.

Take time to pray for all of the great staff that will be part of this week.

Take time to pray for the Lewisville Church, and the great works they are doing for the kingdom.

#2. I want to encourage young men to consider how they can best serve God.

Probably one of the most memorable statements that I have heard over and over throughout the years by the staff is this.

“Do not preach, unless you have too.”

Let me explain. This is not a statement meant to discourage young men from preaching the gospel. This is a statement meant to teach the importance of developing a desire to serve God. You see, these men were encouraging us to decide, “could I be happy if I wasn’t preaching?” I must tell you, that for me the answer is NO.

I do not want to imply that you have to be “A preacher” to serve God. There are many ways that you can serve. It is my hope and my prayer that you will serve.

 1.     Rise up, O men of God! 
	Have done with lesser things. 
	Give heart and mind and soul and strength 
	to serve the King of kings. 

2.	Rise up, O men of God! 
	The kingdom tarries long. 
	Bring in the day of brotherhood 
	and end the night of wrong. 

3.	Rise up, O men of God! 
	The church for you doth wait, 
	her strength unequal to her task; 
	rise up, and make her great! 

4.	Lift high the cross of Christ! 
	Tread where his feet have trod. 
	As brothers of the Son of Man, 
	rise up, O men of God! 

2 Timothy 2:15- "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth"