Jesus: Camp Director: 5,000 Campers, 12 Interns, 0 Kitchen Staff

by Dan Bolin, Ed McDowell (foreword)

In his previous book, Blueprints, Bolin answered the question of why we do what we do. Answering the question of how we do what we do, Camp Director unpacks the Feeding of the 5,000 and explores ten universal principles of ministry that Jesus employed as he performed one of his most well-known miracles. During the Feeding of the 5,000, Jesus not only taught, healed, and fed a huge throng of people, he also challenged and trained his Twelve Disciples. In this camp-like setting, Jesus engaged people in highly effective ways. He addressed the massive crowd with a different strategy than he used with his Twelve. He did not grouse about what he did not have but wisely applied the meager resources available to him. He used some green grass, a few loaves of bread, and a couple of small fish to meet the needs of the throng and the Twelve. He applied proven organizational systems and ministry strategies to accomplish his purposes. But through it all, he relied on the power of his Father in Heaven who abundantly provided all they needed.The Feeding of the 5,000 opens a window into how Jesus did ministry in a camp-like setting. But the Ten Principles can be applied in churches, schools, mission agencies and anywhere people want to do God's work, God's way.

163 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2023

About the author

Dan Bolin worked 25 years at Pine Cove Christian Camps near Tyler, Texas, 14 of those years as executive director. The next ten years, Dan invested himself as president of KVNE/KGLY Christian radio stations, now Encouragement Media Group.

For eleven years Dan was the CEO of Christian Camping International, supporting the work of Christian camping in 60 countries, serving an estimated 13 million campers.

Currently, Dan is the President of Refueling in Flight Ministries, a Christian nonprofit organization designed to support his speaking, writing, and event leadership.

He has authored twelve books and spoken at numerous ministry conferences. He writes a weekly devotional blog - Refueling in Flight - and teaches Outdoor Ministries courses in academic and practitioner contexts.

Dan is a graduate of Seattle Pacific University. He earned Master degrees from Dallas Seminary and LeTourneau University. His Doctor of Ministry is from Denver Seminary.

Dan and his wife, Cay, live in Culpeper, Virginia near their daughter, son-in-law, and two delightful grandchildren.

Reviews

[Emily Rayburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan does a great job of paralleling the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 to camp ministry. Helpful discussion questions that are great for studying this book as a group.