Kelly L. Phillips' Testimony

"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11 NIV)

I was raised in a Catholic home and went to Catholic school for twelve years of my life. But it was nothing which occurred at either home or school which actually changed my life and brought me to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

I have gone to camp for the past ten years of my life and this is where I accepted Christ. When I started going to camp, I dreaded the times we had to spend in Bible exploration and things of that sort. I just wanted to have fun. As I grew older and I continued to go to camp, I realized how different I was for those two weeks. During the year, I lived my life just as any other child growing up. Jesus was not an issue in my daily life except for when I was forced to pray at school and sit through religion class. But for the times when I was at camp; I acted like a faithful, dedicated Christian.

Camp began to have more meaning for me and I started enjoying Bible exploration. The summer between my sophmore and junior years of high school, I began a program called CILT (Campers in Leadership Training) so that I could become a counselor. It was through this program that I realized what being a Christian is all about. This program takes two years to complete. You have to go to camp for two weeks each year and during the year between the two summers, I had to complete a Bible study. This Bible study was on the book of Philippians which has become one of my favorite books of the Bible.

Going through CILT presented me with a lot of challenges. I had to really examine my belief and as a result I realized that I was leading a very hypocritical life. As a counselor at a Christian camp, I would have to be an example and teach my campers. I felt like there was no way I could tell my campers to do one thing and do it myself while at camp; but as soon as I left camp, turn around and do the exact opposite of what I was teaching. Needless to say, because of CILT my life really changed. During my first year of CILT, I completely rededicated my life to God. I had accepted Christ when I was a camper in 1989, but at that time nothing really changed. It wasn't until I completed my years as a camper and began CILT that the decision started to show in my life. Since CILT my life has not been the same. I can't imagine living without Jesus. As a college student, it can be very difficult at times, but the Lord always provides me with strength. I've become involved with Christian organizations on campus which are a great support. I still insist on going to camp each year. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for camp. I just thank God for everything He's done and for providing me with the CILT program so that I could grow to know Him better.