1,000 Campers Reached in the East Metro

Anna Shoberg • September 1, 2026

A message from East Metro MN Admin, Anna Shoberg:

Last week I was working in our East Metro Camp Database, tying things up from the last few months of camps, when I realized....that this summer we hit an astounding milestone. 


The East Metro has seen over 1,000 elementary-aged students served at camps. THANK YOU, GOD!!!!!


Our previous Area Director, Brent Voight, started running the very first FCA camps in the East Metro back in 2018. I was scrolling through the list of camper names we have kept over the years. As I scrolled through that list of names and realized that we had hit this mark, it left me in tears. Since Brent's very first camp at Community of Grace back in 2018 until the last day of our camps this summer, there have been 1,000 kids from all over our neighborhoods who have participated in one of our local camps. 


This is NOT just a list of names. These are students who have come and heard the name of Jesus. Every day, for at least a week, many of them more as they came back year after year.

These names represent 1,000 stories that God has orchestrated.

1,000 seeds planted. 

1,000 stories that are not yet finished.


This summer was long. By the end, we were pretty weary. But as we look back and reflect on all that's happened, wondering if lasting difference has been made, I was reminded, that's not our work to finish. That is the work of a God who sent every single one of these campers to experience something with Him. For some campers, it was easy to see the work God was doing. Others, we wondered if something had missed the mark. But God doesn't miss people. And if a seed isn't planted in fertile soil, we know that the Lord doesn't tire of waiting for us. He looks to show Himself to us every single day. 


We pray for students to have eyes to see Him reaching for them. 


As we pray, we also continue the work. Of creating spaces right here in our local cities for students to come and play sport in an environment that encourages growth of faith every summer. Of serving students in our local schools as they create Bible studies on their campuses. Of pouring into coaches, educators, and church partners right by our homes as we work to see lives transformed by Jesus Christ. 


Camps started because we believed that God had planted a seed in the East Metro to see elementary-aged students introduced to FCA. We could not comprehend how abundantly God would answer those prayers. Thank you for the ways in which you have all participated in this vision in one way or another to see this milestone reached. 


You have prayed with us, volunteered with us, sent your kiddos to join us at camp, and supported us in making these camps happen with your faithful support.

WHY WE SERVE: THE RIPPLE EFFECT

This year, one of our major goals was to increase our impact in the lives of our middle school and high school volunteers.


We saw great fruit from God's work.


The energy and commitment to Christ that these volunteers display in their own lives is such an example to the young campers that they serve. We not only wanted to double down on helping them to be aware of their leadership impact we also wanted to double down on how much God loves THEM and cares for THEM. That, ultimately, they would feel poured into during camp week as well! We look forward to continuing to build this mission with our church partners in future summers.


These are the kinds of teenagers that were loving on your kids this summer:

Kennedy's Kindness


Kennedy has spent a number of summers serving at our camp at Shepherd of the Valley. Her energy and love for her huddle were level 10 all week. When some of her campers showed up with over $300 to donate to the camp fundraiser for Africa, I could hear her screaming with excitement, rejoicing in the efforts with the girls who ran to share the news with her. One of the campers in Kennedy's huddle lost her Bible, which was incredibly valuable to her. When Kennedy had finally located it the next morning, she wrapped it, like a present, to give to the camper and celebrate that it was found.

Owen's Ownership


A few summers ago, Owen's family moved out of Minnesota. Owen had been an AWESOME participant as a camper. Playing with joy, tenacity, and commitment every summer. We were bummed to see his family leave, but would you believe that Owen has made it his mission to find himself back in Minnesota every summer since, at the exact same week that camp is happening!? He has come back summer after summer to now serve as an incredibly gracious, kind, and valued leader.

Graeme's Guidance


This is Graeme. He started out as a camper at the camp we partner with to run with Five Oaks Church. The camp got so big that 7th and 8th grade students went from playing as campers to serving as Station Helpers. They shifted from being served to helping run the games we played each day. From day one, Graeme blew us out of the water with his leadership. He was kind, clear, communicative, and encouraging as he helped run his station. Always looking to include everyone, always adding momentum to the game without losing sight of playing with integrity and joy.

Lilly's Legacy


The first day Lilly walked onto the field of one of our camps, she didn't know anyone. She had just graduated from White Bear Lake High School and had been one of the student leaders of the huddle. We asked her to speak for one day of camp. Lilly ended up joining us for almost every single day of the 16 days of camp we had this summer. Our unofficial East Metro FCA mascot. She dove in head first. Shouting with her whole self the love of Jesus to everyone around her. She spoke in a way campers latched onto. Exposed them first hand to the power of God's transforming love when we put Him first above all else.

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