Sending Out Twelve | Matthew 10

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

The Mission of the Twelve

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of

Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

---

When I was a younger camper, a wise old man by the name of Erik Stenswold on his last night of his final camp year addressed our village, describing the process of leaving camp as descending the mountain. As a younger camper, I couldn’t even imagine making it 10 years, and upon the final night of said year, I couldn’t believe it was over. It was my turn to descend the mountain. While I have done this several times already, (technically nine times to be precise) the finality of it all invoked a fear in me. I was being sent out into the world as a disciple of God’s word and love; something that had been bestowed upon me, instructed and nurtured by Pinecrest.

I cannot stress enough how much I loved Pinecrest. Almost two years into alumni-hood, I still think about it, talk about it with friends, and cherish it dearly. And while I think there is an incredible dialogue around what one can bring to Pinecrest, campers and staff alike, I challenge everyone to reflect and meditate on what from Pinecrest they can bring to the world around them. The world is a scary place right now, friends. The other 51 weeks of the year couldn’t hold a candle to our week of heaven on earth, but it’s important that we garner enough of Pinecrest and show up. Show up for yourself, show up for others, show up for communities and those who don’t have anyone showing up for them. Stand up for what’s right and resist those doing wrong. It’s time to come down from the mountain, Pinecrest. Take your candles and go light your world because what the world needs now is love, sweet love.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us all the joy of Pinecrest and each other. Guide us as we navigate the complex world we dwell in. And help us shine our candles, so that no bushel, no darkness could ever overtake it.

Now actually go in peace, serve the lord, show up one another. And I mean it.

Matthew Lauer

Camper 2015-2024

President 2021

Alumni 2024-Present

Qualified Stack Testing Group 1 Certificate Holder