The Empower platform has become a unique tool for preparing and training teams of students and graduates of School Without Walls who are going to devote their time and efforts to work in Christian summer camps. On the treshold of the summer season, a major event took place in Warsaw. 12 teams from different cities of Poland gathered to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to serve children and teenagers*. The event brought together more than 80 people who were inspired by new approaches and methods of work in camp and youth ministry.
The Empower Conference has become an important platform for sharing experience and learning new ways of helping those who extremely need it. Currently, many of the participants are actively serving in a new reality helping refugees and migrants from Ukraine, that imposes additional demands on their ministry and responsibility. The program was designed to provide them not only with theoretical knowledge, but also with practical tools to work more effectively with children in difficult life situations.
One of the key themes of Empower was ministry to children who have encountered or are still comming across traumatic experiences related to the war in Ukraine. Participants made themselves familiar with approaches to working with children who suffer from the emotional and psychological consequences of the war. Special attention was paid to the issues of how to establish interaction in a team, build an atmosphere of mutual support and creativity, which is an integral part of successful camp ministry.
In addition, Empower discussed issues of effective interaction in teams, where co-operation and creativity play a key role. Participants were actively involved in masterclasses and trainings, which allowed them to develop the necessary skills to conduct high-quality and in-depth activities with children. Summer camps are not just a place to relax, but an opportunity for children to regain their mental balance, make new friends and get support in difficult times. Therefore, special attention was paid to creating a safe and supportive atmosphere for all participants.
At the end of the training, it was evident that the teams trained on the Empower platform are ready for the great ministry. With God's help, this summer they plan to serve more than 3,000 Ukrainian children who are far from home and in need of support and attention. This project was not only a step in preparing camp teams, but also an important step in serving the community that is facing new challenges and difficulties.
Participants noted that Empower was not only a training program for them, but also a place of inspiration where they were able to strengthen their spiritual strength, realize the importance of their mission and better prepare for the upcoming summer season.
