Testimonials
Do you have a Camp Agape Testimonial?
We’d love to hear it! Please submit feedback to Director@CampAgapeTexas.org.
“The impact of Camp Agape in my life began the summer of 2011, just six months after my life was completely derailed. I was a junior at the University of Texas studying for my midterms when I received the phone call which forever changed my life. It was my Father telling me that my perfectly healthy Mother, who was also my best friend, “was gone… she has gone to Heaven.” Shock and numbness filled my body, 
but my soul was filled with the Holy Spirit. In my life, the scripture Psalm 34:18 which says “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” has proven itself to be so true. I came to Camp Agape as a Buddy that summer and I, just like my camper, was a child crushed in spirit. I healed alongside the campers and other volunteers and began to feel the spiritual healing inside my own heart. Camp Agape teaches that in our times of weakness, God lifts us up and carries us through both our difficult and happy times. We remember and honor our loved ones all while glorifying God. I love that Camp Agape allows these precious children to come meet others with similar losses so they no longer feel alone in their grief, and it truly gives them hope for their future. Galatians 6:2 tells us to “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ,” and this is the spirit we evoke at Camp Agape.”
– Christen, Camp Agape’s Executive Director
“I learned about Camp Agape and its mission to help grieving children in 2012, and I’ve been involved ever since. I feel honored to stand along other wonderful people and leaders who volunteer to make Camp Agape happen every year. I was a little hesitant to come to camp my first year. Would I know the right thing 
to say to this grieving child? I soon began to realize that with God’s hands on our shoulders and the child’s, we are just there to offer a comfortable, safe environment to help the child with their loss. No one handles grief the same way, but when the children are here and they get to talk, see, hear and feel other children going through the same feelings that they are, they begin to start processing some of their emotions. It truly is a remarkable transformation from the first day of camp to the last. Although I wish there were no grieving children in the world, I’m thankful for Camp Agape and its ministry to help heal little hurting hearts.”
– Amanda, Buddy and Member of the Board
“God works in mysterious ways. If you open your heart to Him, He will gladly enter. Tears came down my cheek as the Holy Spirit entered my temple during worship on the first day. As soon as I had opened my eyes, I noticed the same had happened on a young boy’s face. He was my little buddy at Camp Agape. His
older brother had taken his life just four weeks before camp started. Two weeks prior, his uncle did the same. He’d lost his sister to cancer last Christmas, Jesus’ birthday; so much for a young boy to handle, so much weight on his shoulders. Camp Agape helps relieve that stress and anxiety through a support system of volunteers and other children with similar experiences. Most importantly, Camp Agape brings us closer to God. Through bible studies and open discussion, I allowed the Holy Spirit to fill my mind and body with peace. Peace that we all need when we have lost a loved one. One day we will all be reunited with our loved ones and God. It’s important that we all help each other get to Heaven. For me, the support system of Camp Agape took me a few steps higher on the ladder to the pearly gates of Heaven.”
– Keegan, First Year Buddy & Advisory Board Member
“When a longtime friend of mine JD Hansard told me about Camp Agape I didn’t hesitate signing on as a buddy. I believe that the camping environment takes us out of the norm and puts us in a place to find peace and rest that cannot be found outside of camp. I’ve served for two summers now as a buddy and both times have been impacted by the experience just as much is the campers have. No matter how old you are we all
struggle with how to process and deal with grief and the loss of a loved one. Camp Agape provides an environment where you can feel safe and be vulnerable with your feelings and allow God an opportunity to speak to your heart and heal the hurting. It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to be a buddy to these young kids who are who have experienced tremendous loss and see them recognize the pain, and learn how to process it it; it is amazing. Most of the buddies who volunteer with Camp Agape have experienced a loss of a loved one, and for their camper to see their buddy process the pain with them; to be an example, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To show these kids it’s okay to cry and it’s okay to laugh even while were hurting is a life time lesson opportunity and I am grateful to have the ability to serve these kids and look forward to many more years of being a buddy for Camp Agape.”
– Jason, Buddy and Member of the Board
child has after losing a loved one. As an adult, it seems more likely to experience the loss of a loved one, but children lose loved one’s every day. There needs to be a specific place these children can go to learn about Christ and share in the grief process with others who are experiencing the same, and Camp Agape provides just this for children ages 7 through 12. We have specific games and workshops which include helping each child to experience the loss and know that it is OK to grieve. Life does go on, but it is different; as they say, it’s a “new normal.” With faith in Christ, He helps us to process this grief and know that our life still has a purpose. My experience as a Buddy and on the Board of Directors for Camp Agape has been such a blessing to me, as well as to my family members.”“Last year when I was attending a program at church, I met Walt. During our conversation I had the opportunity tell him about Camp AGAPE, and he signed up to be one of our volunteer photographers this summer. I called him today to see what he thought about his experience at our program. He said several very positive things, but this comment stuck out when he said ‘Camp AGAPE is Christianity at it’s best’. He also mentioned that volunteering at Camp AGAPE had exceeded all of his expectations. While taking pictures, he talked with many of the Buddies and Campers and said that everyone he talked to loved being at camp and had great attitudes. Walt said next year he will be a Buddy.”
– Larry, Previous Board Member
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