The Chapel Digest - JULY 2024

Islands of Hope in Seas of Despair


Royal Family Kids is an international ministry that brings hope to 7-11-year-old children in foster care.Through summer camps, mentoring clubs, and a variety of other programs, Royal Family Kids has helped hundreds of thousands of kids around the world. This summer, Christian Chapel will host our 26th Royal Family Kids Camp (RFKC), and this fall we will kick off our 9th year of Royal Family Kids Club.


Royal Family Kids provides an island of hope in the tumultuous lives of children in foster care. The circumstances that send kids into foster care are often painful. Most of our campers have experienced some form of extreme loss, abuse, abandonment, or neglect. The stories of what they have seen, heard, or endured are heartbreaking. They have been uprooted from all that is familiar. Many have endured numerous moves from home to home and school to school. In the face of consistent upheaval, a week of camp or a mentoring relationship seems unlikely to make much of a difference.


Yet, each year, we witness how the safety, stability, and structure of Royal Family Kids Camp and Club cause hope to grow in the hearts and minds of our campers. It doesn’t always make sense, but God uses the cathedral of the outdoors, fun activities, and dedicated volunteers to create an environment of healing. Even if our campers return to less-than-ideal circumstances, their time spent at camp or with a mentor opens their eyes to a different and hopeful way of life. In a week of camp or hours with a mentor, they are presented with alternative pictures of their future. They interact with believers who serve as role models of what they can be when they grow up. In these relationships, they are also encouraged to keep trusting God in every season and situation. 


The hope shared through Royal Family Kids requires a church-wide effort at Christian Chapel. RFK Camp and Club are entirely staffed by Christian Chapel members. Our Kingdom Builders giving and a few generous community partners fund these ministries. The Holy Spirit works through the prayers of those who go and those who stay behind. 


Each year over 150 Christian Chapel members serve in some capacity with RFK Camp and Club, and many more pray and give to make it possible. When you serve, give, or pray for Royal Family Kids, you are making it easier for hope to grow in a child’s heart. Thanks for all you do - keep up the good work!



Chris Dow

Lead Pastor

"I learned I could trust people, that people loved me, that people cared for me. I didn't have to be afraid of new people because I knew that God was going to protect me. I felt strong. I didn't have to shut down anymore." 

- Ashley, former Royal Family Kids Camper -

COMING UP THIS MONTH

SUNDAY Morning Services - 8:15AM, 9:30AM & 11:00AM

Sunday, June 30 - Friday, July 5

Royal Family Kids Camp [Find Out More]


Sunday, July 7

8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00am I Donut Sunday

6:00pm - 8:00pm I Home Groups I Chapel Kids I Nursery I Chapel Youth D-Groups  [get involved]


Wednesday, July 10

6:30pm - 7:30pm I Chapel Men’s Leadership Summit

6:30pm - 8:00pm I Chapel Youth Bonfire


Friday, July 12

6:00pm - 8:00pm I Chapel Women Summer Social


Sunday, July 14

9:30am I Next Steps Group (Learn More & Get Involved at Christian Chapel) [sign up]


Wednesday, July 17

6:30pm - 7:30pm I Chapel Men’s Leadership Summit

6:30pm - 8:00pm I Chapel Youth Pool Party


Sunday, July 21

6:00pm - 8:00pm I Home Groups I Chapel Kids I Nursery I Chapel Youth D-Groups  [get involved]


Monday, July 22 - Thursday, July 25

Kids Camp at Camp Egan [sign up]


Thursday, July 25 - Sunday, July 28

Youth Camp at Camp Egan [sign up]



Local Missions

Richard and Sharon BERUMEN

In December of 1984, Royal Family KIDS Camp (RFK) Co-Founder Wayne Tesch attended a luncheon with two ministers serving as district officials in the Southern California District of the Assemblies of God. The pastors asked Wayne, "Would you be interested in being a Camp Director for one week with a theme camp of your choice?" Wayne was blown away at the opportunity and left the meeting to seek guidance from the Lord for a camp. Wayne explains that as he entered his office, he shared the news with a coworker, who suggested a camp for abused children. He recalls, "It was as though God spoke directly." In that moment Royal Family Kids Camp was born. Over the years it would grow into an international camping ministry for kids in foster care. 


Richard and Sharon Berumen launched the Christian Chapel chapter of Royal Family Kids in 1999. They faithfully and effectively served as Camp Directors until 2016. They passed the leadership baton to Eddie and Dawn Redden. Christian Chapel was the first RFK camp in Oklahoma and the 55th camp globally. Richard and Sharon recently shared their memories of launching Royal Family at Christian Chapel.


We had been members of Christian Chapel since 1978. In 1998 that the Lord led us into a new ministry as a church and as a couple. Pastor Greg Davis, the Senior Pastor at the time, invited us to have lunch with him. He had recently been to a gathering of Tulsa pastors at Carl and Carlene Quist's home, where he had learned about a ministry for children in foster care. 


RFK Founder Wayne Tesch was a long-time friend of the Quists. He challenged pastors in the Tulsa area to begin a one-week summer camp for kids who have experienced abuse and neglect. Pastor Greg felt that Christian Chapel was called to launch RFK at Christian Chapel. 


During our lunch with Pastor Greg, he told us that we had the perfect skill set to be Camp Directors. It would involve training for a week to learn all the policies and procedures. We said yes, really not knowing what launching a Royal Family Kids Camp would entail. 


This year marks the 26th year that Christian Chapel has provided an RFK camp and many opportunities for children in foster care to experience life-changing moments. We were privileged to be camp directors for 17 of those years. This ministry has prompted people in our church to foster and adopt children, mentor them, and support the foster care system in practical ways. It has borne the fruit of deeper relationships with one another in our church body. Hope has bloomed in the wounded hearts of children from hard places; some have called on Jesus to be their Savior.


Royal Family Kids Camp is part of our DNA!


You can learn more about Royal Family Kids Camp at christianchapel.com/rfk or at forthechildren.org. 


Recipe of the month

Christian Chapel started in 1974 and since then, the traditions and community has grown into the wonderful church it is today! Through the years, we have released cookbooks at different anniversary points. You might remember the 25th anniversary cookbook, or the 35th anniversary cookbook, or even more recently the 40th anniversary cookbook! We are thrilled to announce we will be releasing the 50th anniversary cookbook this year in September and from now until then, we will be publishing a Recipe Of The Month in each Digest. 


Click Here To Add Your Recipe To The Christian Chapel Cook Book



FRESH LEMONADE


Recipe By: Pastor Lauren Gancarz

INGREDIENTS

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup + 2 cups water

Method

This is a summertime favorite at our house! Squeeze enough lemons to yield 1 cup juice. Pour the juice through a strainer to remove seeds.
Use a fine mesh strainer, if you prefer lemonade without pulp. In a small saucepan, make the simple syrup by combining ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar. Stir over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.
In a pitcher, combine lemon juice, simple syrup and 2 cups cold water.
Chill and serve over ice. If you like sweeter lemonade, make more simple syrup. If you prefer more tart, add a few more tablespoons of lemon juice!