The Christian life works. It has to, because to have anything less than a fully functional faith would be to claim that God failed and had a faulty plan. The Gospel reminds us that God did all of the work, He provided everything that we need, and He will even enable us to live spiritually successful lives as Christians. Yet, when you look inside the church today you’re likely to find subpar spirituality, crippled Christianity, or faulty faith. If God is not the problem, then we must be the weak link. Although we may have all that we need, the fact is we do not know how to use what He has given us, in the way that he intended.

“…according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.“ 2 Peter 1:1-4

It’s time for believers to know how to use ‘all things’ that God has given us for life and godliness, and to live a Christian life that actually works. It’s time to get ‘Geared Up!”

Monday: The Word of God in text- Scripture
Main Point:  When God speaks, things happen. Just as in the Genesis account of creation, God’s Words are powerful and have authority over creation. In the same way, what God has spoke to us in His Word should also be alive, active, and have authority in the live of a believer. God has chosen the means of His Word to reveal Himself to us and as the means to transform the believer into a New Creation.

Key Points:

Bound Bible- Just like a bound gear, when the Bible is neglected in the life of a believer, when we fail to invest, read, study, believe, or obey God’s Word- the Christian life as God intended it to be, becomes bound up, and will not function properly. Whenever we approach God’s Word in pride, unwilling to submit, believing we know best- we are binding the gear of God’s Word in our lives, until it has no effect. Belief is not enough when it comes to God’s Word. Obedience, is what makes the gear go.

Oiled Understanding- God is a Spirit, and His Word is a spiritually discerned book. You need the Spirit to provide understanding of what God has said and how to live out what He has said in your life. An unsaved person will not be able to comprehend what God has said in His Word. Their conclusion will be nothing more than educational, head knowledge that leaves them lacking. (Matthew 13:10-16, Isaiah 6:9) New convert/young underdeveloped faith- will have slow understanding of scripture, as the Spirit begins to work it’s way into the crevices of the gears/ their life, making it move. The more they obey The Spirit, via The Word, the more they will begin to understand the Bible, grow in the Bible, and live the Bible.

Tuesday: The Word of God in Person; Salvation

Main Point: Jesus was given to right all that was wrong between man and God. Through Christ, we are united to Him once again and enabled to function in faith. In order to receive Salvation, you must believe what God’s Word has said about your life; your greatest problem is sin. You must accept the completed work of Christ, as the only single solution to your sin problem. Then, you must allow Christ to complete the Christian by continuing a work in you. 

Key Points:

The Cog of Corruption: The Bible is full of examples of failures. People who could not live righteous, Holy lives. The reason is that the Bible points to our greatest need; our sin problem. Every person is born with a broken cog on the wheel of their life that hinders them from perfectly meeting God’s requirements and living out His will in their life.

The Cog of Christ: This is why Christ came, to complete our broken cog, bridging the gap that separated us from God. By His completed work we are united to our Creator once again, sinless, blameless, and considered righteous because of the work of Jesus.

The Cog of Christianity:  Now nothing stops us from being able to live the Christian life as the Bible describes. Just as much as it was Christ who saved us by His Work, it is also Christ who sanctifies us by His continued work. We are only enabled to live the Christian life by Jesus.

Wednesday: The Word of God in You; Sanctification

Main Point: The Christian life is accomplished by allowing the Spirit of God, bring about the ways of God, by the Word of God in your life. This process is known as; sanctification. This process will look different and take place at different speeds for each saint, however it is evidence of this process that assures us of salvation.

Key Points:

Synced Saint: By our very nature, we are in opposition to God. Our will, ways, words, thoughts, desires, and actions are completely contrary to His. This is why when God now resides in your life, your life will change. Your will, ways, words, thoughts, desires, and actions will become transformed to match His.

Progressive Motion: The pace of sanctification will depend on intentionality and devotion. This process will not take place by happenstance or osmosis. Only by slowing our lives down and intentionally seeking our Savior, will sanctification be a go in the  life of the godly.

Successive Sanctification: Sanctification is a progressive process. Meaning that you will not be instantaneously transformed into Christ’s image and likeness. Instead, with each surrender, each submission, and every obedience you will become more like Him as a believer day by day.

Thursday: The Word of God through You; Service

Main Point: If the Word of God in text is obeyed, the Word of God in Person is trusted in, we are changed by the Word of God in us- then the natural result will be the will of God taking place through us. The evidence of a Christian life that actually works is..well…works. Service to the Kingdom of God will become the natural desire of a successful saint.

Key Points:

The Pulley of Purpose: God placed the gears of the Gospel in motion in order for His purpose to be fulfilled in the life of each believer. The reason for scripture, Salvation, and sanctification in the life of a Christian is to reveal and fulfill God’s will in our lives.

The Pulley of Power: Just as much as we were incapable of saving ourselves by living a perfect and Holy Life that would bring us to God- we are equally incapable of living out the Christian life after salvation on our own. This is why God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to be the Christians He has called us to be.

The Pulley of Possession: In order for our purpose to be fulfilled, in order to be enabled by The Spirit’s power, we must give God full possession of our lives. As He leads, we listen. As He directs, we devote our lives to His will.

 The Northern Ohio Youth Camp has proudly provided a week of life-changing summer camp to the youth of Ohio and surrounding states for over a decade. Beginning in 2010, the NOYC! was formed out of a desire to involve the youth of local churches throughout the state in actively serving the Lord. Since the camp’s beginning, God has done a great work in this ministry each year by adding in attendance, worship, and lives changed for Him. Now located in the beautiful rolling hills of Warswaw, Ohio, at the Warsaw Retreat Center, the NOYC! hosts around 400+ during our annual week of summer camp. In addition to an amazing week of camp, the NOYC also provides additional events such as youth conferences and sporting events through out the year as well. Since 2016, the NOYC has also ministered by offering Christian content and resources such as custom curriculum series & Podcasts that specifically challenge young people to live the victorious Christian life In Christ.

Though many things have changed in the past decade of ministry, one constant has remained and that is the motivation that drives everything we do at the NOYC. It is our desire as a ministry to see lives changed and set on a course of newness of life in living for Christ. In the past ten years we have watched as the youth who first attended our camp many years ago, are still faithfully serving the Lord and even bringing their own families, now as adults, back to camp. Many of these same young adults can be found now working in the camp as counselors, worship leaders, game directors and more. Although the NOYC is geared directly for youth, the NOYC is so much more than your typical youth camp. At the NOYC youth and adults alike set their differences aside and come together in child like faith in pursuit of a more genuine and authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years we have seen hundreds of lives changed by attending camp, many even resulting in salvation, answering a call to ministry, and becoming more devoted to Christ.    

A typical day at the NOYC will include 3 amazing home cooked meals per day (plus snack!), 2 Bible classes, 2 sport activities, wacky games, 4 prayer stations, crafts, music class, the Amazing NOYC Race, an out-of-this-world camp church service, and much MUCH more! Every day we make it a priority to saturate the campers and counselors in as much Bible teaching and spiritual activity on a personal level as possible. Strong preaching, God-glorifying singing, and great fun are all in store for you at the NOYC! 

Even though our top priority is closeness with Christ, a the NOYC we fully believe that life, especially for the Christian, is meant to be a blast! For this reason, every moment at the NOYC is intentionally planned and prepared for the utmost fun- down to the detail. Beyond the exciting daily activities, the NOYC also offers several special events during our week of camp which attendees can look forward to including; the Mestival (over 300+ lbs of slime), kiddy pool kick ball, the Nerf War Arena, and the NOYC one-of-a-kind Escape Room, and more!

   Above all at the NOYC, our desire is to reach a generation who has seemingly turned their back on God. Through God’s provision we have witnessed a miracle take place each year at camp- as young people are turning their attention to the things of the Lord. Many churches and ministries have sadly turned their back on this seemingly rebellious generation that seems impossible to teach or understand, yet the truth is this generation is desperately seeking Truth and authentic Christianity that works. The NOYC is far more than a youth camp, it is a joining together of like minds, in unity of the desire for God’s Word which will show us His plan for each of our lives. This is why you will find people of different denominations, belief systems, backgrounds, walks of life, and even generations coming along side one another, united in one mind for the cause of Christ at the NOYC. We greatly encourage individuals, groups, families, youth leaders, pastors, and more to join our NOYC family and witness what God can do.

We invite you to come experience a life changing, soul saving, ridiculously fun week at the NOYC!

Director Garry Sorrell

Director Garry Sorrell has served as the senior Pastor of the Sandhill FWB Church in Sandusky Ohio for over 15 years. Although being a pastor keeps Garry busy, he also finds time to serve as the director of the Northern Ohio Youth Camp where he has served for over a decade. Director Garry oversees the spiritual and over all direction of the camp from year to year.

Asst. Director Renee Sorrell

Sis. Renee Sorrell, who is married to Director Garry Sorrell, oversees many of the clerical components of camp including registration. Sister Renee enjoys singing in Church as well as playing piano and has been doing so her entire life. She also brings a passion for both youth and all people to the table for the NOYC. Sis. Renee is also intricately involved in the camp worship team where she assists with singing, arranging, and learning camp songs each year.

Camp Coordinator Josh Sorrell

Bro. Josh has served in many capacities over the years of camp including but not limited to; counselor, game coordinator, worship leader, administrator, photographer, scheduler, kitchen help, and more. Today Bro. Josh serves the Camp year round as our full time camp coordinator where he oversees all marketing, administration, and planning for the camp. Brother Josh garners the vision for each year of camp through the direction of the Lord in both choosing the theme, writing, directing and overseeing the lessons, videos, and curriculum. As camp coordinator Josh will oversee all work and planning leading up to camp as well as all operations during the week of camp. Brother Josh will also personally over see all camp staff and volunteers. In addition Bro. Josh is also a part of the camp worship team.

Teaching Pastor

Adam Brown is the Youth Pastor of the First FWB Church of Shelby where he has attended his entire life. Bro. Adam has a personal passion for the applicable truth of God’s Word lived out in the lives of believers. Adam assist in the planning and writing of each yearly theme for the NOYC as well as additional content throughout the year.

Media Coordinator CJ Hines

Bro. CJ has quickly become an integral part of camp in its present state. Beginning his career at Camp as an often impromptu counselor, CJ now serves as the media coordinator for Camp. Through out the year CJ will coordinate the upkeep of the camp website, film and edit all videos, lessons, and promotional videos, as well as oversee all media staff during the week of camp.

The Minions

It is quite difficult to put into words the details of the efforts made by these amazingly dedicated folks. Each of our minions grew up attending camp, and after turning 18 made the decision to work for the Camp, often at great sacrifice. Sis. Rachel Hines has served the camp as a lead minion for 7+ years. Over the years she has become an invaluable asset to the coordination of Camp both during the planning process as well as at camp. Sis. Jayme Hines has served as a dedicated Minion for 5+ years and also assists with the coordinating of camp both before and during camp. Sis. Amy Hensley serves both as a part time minion as well as the Camp treasurer before camp, and a coveted counselor while at camp. She is greatly dedicated and passionate about Camp and provides valuable input as a representative of the people who attend camp during the planning process. Additional minions include but are certainly not limited to; Tim Hensley, Lucas Hines, Jacob Moore, and many others. The minions jobs may include the unthinkable, un-understandable, the crazy, tricky, and impossible. These folks put in extensive and lengthy hours through out the year and especially at camp in order to make the NOYC! A success.

Camp Administrator

Tami works primarily in administration by utilizing her (sometimes unhealthy) organizational obsession to assist in planning and tracking of tasks and projects in preparation for camp. Tami also develops and maintains the email and mailing lists that we use to communicate with our campers and many churches. When not working her administrative magic at NOYC, Tami is a life-long member of the Rosedale Free Will Baptist Church where she volunteers as a cat herder (aka youth advisor) and directs the youth choir there.