Lives converge and God moves at Zona Camp

Every June, hundreds of Arizona teens from churches across the state travel to Southern California for Zona Camp. For more than 20 years, the Lord has used Zona Camp to establish generations of believers who love and serve Jesus faithfully.

Students in grades 6-12 attend Zona through their churches, and many students attend for multiple years. Their experiences each year compound to deepen their faith in the Lord.

“Zona is a major part of my walk with the Lord,” said Athena Lipko, who attends First Southern Baptist Church at Sahuaro Ranch in Glendale. “At Zona, I really feel the presence of God … and when I go home, I’m more motivated to share the gospel.”

As a teenager, Lipko attended Zona every summer through middle and high school. After her senior year of high school, she went to Zona feeling angry about the death of her mother. However, after talking and praying with a member of the Crew — college students who serve at Zona — Lipko began to realize the Lord could use her struggle, and she rededicated her life to Jesus.

Lexie Brewer began serving at Zona as a Crew member in 2015, and she has continued to serve in different capacities for the past 10 years. Although Brewer has seen the Lord do many great things at Zona, this year, Brewer had the privilege of seeing the Lord’s work come full circle.

Two years ago, Brewer met a student one evening who was struggling with grief, and Brewer had the privilege to talk and pray with her. This year, Brewer recognized that previously angry young woman as Lipko.

Seeing how the Lord has worked in Lipko’s life, “gives me hope,” she said. “I love getting to see … how students are coming from places where they don’t know God to [being] so on fire for Him.”
Lipko also got to see God use her story to encourage other teens.

“It’s been really amazing to see how God’s using me with others who are in similar situations,” she said.

This year’s Zona Camp took place June 23-27 at California Baptist University in Riverside. The theme for this year was (Un)Belief, based on Mark 9:24, which says, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

Camp speaker Scott Worthington, a pastor from Las Vegas, challenged students to believe that God created each of them in His image and invites them into a relationship with Jesus that will change their lives forever. Each morning and evening, the worship band from Tierra Fertil in Yuma led the students in enthusiastic and fervent worship.

Churches brought almost 1,000 students and church leaders, and 52 Crew members from colleges in Arizona and five other states served alongside AZ Christian Challenge staff.

Each year, Zona campers contribute to a camp offering that goes to help missionary work in different locations around the world. This year, Zona campers got to hear about the ministry of Chris, who serves as the Send Relief area director for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Chris and his wife, Amy, told campers about the $25 clay water filters they provide for families in Africa. Besides receiving a means to have clean water, each family also gets to hear the gospel.

Zona campers responded overwhelmingly, giving more than $11,900, enough to provide about 477 water filters. The offering was the largest ever given at Zona.

Zona helps campers focus on Jesus by providing four different tracks they can choose.

Zona Experience, the most popular track, offers daily Bible study teaching and small groups, along with various practical breakout sessions. Impact is designed for student leaders who are ready to be challenged and encouraged in their faith. Mission Life takes students off-campus to serve others in the community in partnership with outside organizations in Riverside. Worship Catalyst provides instruction and encouragement for students who have a passion to lead worship.

These tracks allow students across a wide spectrum to connect with other believers and grow in their faith at Zona.

This year, 171 students made some kind of spiritual decision at Zona. These decisions include 27 first-time declarations of faith in Christ, 18 rededications and three answering the call to ministry. Over the years, thousands of students have turned to Jesus because of Zona Camp.

Zona Camp partners with churches to help students focus on Jesus, deepen their faith in the Lord and build relationships with other believers. As another year of camp ends, Zona leaders pray that Zona Camp will continue to be an important catalyst for spiritual growth in the lives of students in Arizona.

Chelsea Bush, a freelance writer living in Phoenix, is a member of Foothills Baptist Church, Phoenix.

Nancy Patton, a freelance photographer living in Peoria, is a member of Mountain Ridge Baptist Church, Glendale.

Lainee Pegelow, a freelance writer and photographer, is the missions and communications catalyst for Christian Challenge AZ. She is a member of Challenge Church, Flagstaff.