This past week was another great step on our road back to Ghana. Danny and I packed our bags and headed to Man Camp in Dwight, Illinois — a place we’ve been faithfully returning to for the past twelve years. Man Camp is technically a football camp, but as you’ll see, It’s Not About Football. It’s about something far more important.
From Paramedic Finals to the Football Field
The week started with Danny finishing his final exam for the summer semester of paramedic school. He didn’t just pass — he made a perfect score. I might have been just as proud as if he’d won the Super Bowl. We rushed from his test to the airport, arriving just in time to catch an earlier flight. By 11 p.m., we were in Chicago. By 1 a.m., we were tucked in at Man Camp, ready for the week ahead.
I’ve been a referee at Man Camp for eleven years in a row. This year, I officiated sixteen full football games in just four days. That’s a lot of running, whistle-blowing, and trying not to trip over my own feet. But as much as I enjoy being on the field, the real reason I go back year after year isn’t the football.
What Makes Man Camp Special
In my opinion, Man Camp is the best camp in America for young men. Sure, the football is fun, but the heart of the camp is the people. The coaches are all pastors and missionaries from across the United States. These men not only teach the game but also pour into the young men spiritually.
One of my favorite parts of camp is the “critical thinking” sessions. Pastors sit down with small groups of six or seven campers and ask them hard, real-life questions. They talk about faith, decision-making, leadership, purity, and purpose. You can almost see the wheels turning in the minds of these young men as they think through answers that will shape their lives.
Then there’s the preaching. It’s direct, challenging, and exactly what young men need to hear. Every year I think, “Camp can’t get better than this,” and then somehow it does. The messages are Spirit-filled, the fellowship is rich, and the altar calls are powerful.
It’s Not About Football – It’s About Changed Lives
The truth is, It’s Not About Football. Football is just the tool — the hook that brings young men in. The real work happens when God gets hold of their hearts. This year, the results speak for themselves. Over the four days of camp, here’s what happened:
- 1,071 Total Decisions Made
- 26 Salvations
- 14 Called to Missions
- 11 Called to Preach
- 13 Full-Time Christian Service
- 22 Music
- 14 Victory over Pornography
- 7 Purity Commitments
- 60 Relationship Restorations with Parents
- 30 Soul Winning Commitments
- 10 Surrendered to God
- 59 Committed to Walk with God
- 800+ Other Miscellaneous Spiritual Decisions
Every number represents a soul, a moment, and a step toward God. I’ve seen young men come back to camp year after year, growing into faithful husbands, fathers, and servants of the Lord. Some are now pastors and missionaries themselves. That’s why It’s Not About Football.
From Illinois to Texas
When camp wrapped up, Danny and I flew back to Houston on Saturday. It was an uneventful trip — which, when traveling with airline schedules, is always a blessing. Laura and Bonnie met us at the airport, and we made it home at a reasonable hour.
But the week wasn’t over yet. Sunday morning, Laura and I headed back toward Houston. I had the privilege of preaching at First Texas Indian Baptist Church in Livingston, TX. This church is on an Indian reservation and supported our ministry in the past. They told us they plan to start supporting us again, and we are excited about partnering with them to take the Gospel to West Africa.
That evening, we drove across Houston and preached at Glory Baptist Church. These folks are serious about prayer. The altar was full at the invitation, and after the service, they held a special prayer meeting. The next day was the first day of school in that area, so they gathered around teachers and students to pray for God’s guidance and protection. It was beautiful to see believers of all ages coming together in prayer.
Why This Matters for Ghana
Every time I leave an event like Man Camp or a church service where God is working, it fuels my excitement about getting back to Ghana. We’re not just going to another country; we’re going to share the same Gospel that changes lives here in America. Whether it’s a young man in Illinois making a decision at camp or a farmer in Ghana hearing the Gospel for the first time, God’s Word still works.
Our family’s mission is simple: plant churches, train pastors, teach the Bible, and reach souls for Christ. Man Camp is a reminder that God still calls people into the harvest — some of them may even be the young men who were at camp this week.
A Book That Shares the Heart of the Mission
Speaking of stories that inspire, I’m excited to share that my upcoming book, That’s My Goat – And Other Missionary Stories, will be released on August 28. This book is packed with true stories from our years in West Africa — stories of faith, danger, humor, and God’s provision. Some will make you laugh out loud; others will stop you in your tracks and remind you of God’s power and protection.
If you’ve ever wondered what missionary life is really like — beyond the prayer cards and Sunday presentations — this book will give you a front-row seat. From snake encounters to unexpected preaching invitations, each chapter shares a lesson God taught us along the way.
You can read more about the book and even sign up for updates at this page on our website. I would be honored if you’d mark your calendar for August 28 and help us spread the word when it launches.
Why I Keep Saying “It’s Not About Football”
I know I’ve said it more than once, but I’ll say it again: It’s Not About Football. The camp could swap out football for basketball, soccer, or even chess — and the eternal impact would be the same. That’s because the heartbeat of the camp is the Gospel. The sports are just the door God uses to bring in young men who need to hear the truth.
This principle is bigger than just camp. In Ghana, we use whatever tools we can — English classes, medical outreach, youth activities, and even soccer games — to build relationships and share the Gospel. The activity itself isn’t the end goal; it’s the bridge to the bigger conversation about eternity.
Looking Ahead
We’re grateful for every church, individual, and event that helps us on our journey back to Ghana. Man Camp was another reminder that ministry is about people, not programs. It’s about faithfully showing up, year after year, ready for God to work.
As we continue deputation, I’d ask you to pray for more laborers in the harvest. Pray that God will keep working in the hearts of those who made decisions at camp. And pray for us as we take the Gospel to West Africa.
If you want to learn more about Man Camp, visit mancamp1994.org. And if you want to read the stories of what God has done in Africa, be sure to check out our upcoming book at this page on our site.
Because at the end of the day — and at the end of the age — It’s Not About Football. It’s about Jesus.