2025 Summer Missionary
Lex Zylka
March 2025
Dear Friends & Family,
Hello! It’s about to be the beginning of another summer at camp. I’m never sure if it’ll be my last summer or if I’ll continue on another year. Since I left full-time ministry at Trout Lake Camps in 2023, I’ve wondered if I should go back to full-time camp ministry. Whichever way it goes I will continue to serve the Lord however He sees fit.
Currently, I’m working on raising support for camp this upcoming summer, but I wanted to give everyone an update on what has happened in my life this past year since you last heard from me. I’ve worked a couple jobs this last year as I’ve been trying to figure out where God wants me and what my purpose and strengths are in life. I’ve much enjoyed working with my high school girls’ small group at my church’s youth group. In the three years I’ve been with them, they’ve grown so much, and I look forward to seeing how they’ll flourish in the coming years. I’ve prayed a lot this last year on whether to continue at camp; ultimately, He said yes.
I want you to know why God has made me so passionate for camp ministry. Last year I saw many campers I knew from my previous years on staff who started out as little elementary school kids, now in the beginning years of high school. Looking at what God has done in their lives since I first got to know them, it amazes me how much they’ve matured in their faith. When I think of camp, I’m reminded of the little girl who would sit on her bed quietly and read scripture with such devotion at such a young age or the middle school girls who actively engage in full contact worship (that is worship that involves singing, dancing, and occasionally being pulled up on stage by your counselor if you’re not doing the actions). I also think of the high school staff who get excited to clean toilets because they get to do it with their friends. There are many stories I could tell about why camp is important, but I’ll leave it with this statement: “[Campers] also interact with staffers who are positive role models, speaking truth into their lives and ministering to them through intentional conversations. These God-centered relationships can have a lasting impact on a child’s faith.” -Lifeway Research
Over the years I’ve done many roles at camp. One I have not done, but I look forward to doing this summer is Head Girls Counselor. In this role, I will be leading and supporting the female counseling staff. Whether they need an extra hand on an extra hard day, calming a homesick camper, finding forgotten items like toothbrushes at the beginning of the week, or talking a counselor through a problem they're dealing with, I’m the backup there to step in. I also get to make fun memories for the campers when I’m not focusing on other responsibilities. I look forward to making this happen. Though to make that happen I need your support.
Below, I’ve shared a few goals I’m working on this summer in ministry.
Goals:
1- My first goal is to take preventative steps, rather than being reactive in situations where I am dealing with camper problems. That way my counseling staff are better prepared for the small things and I’m aware of the larger problems ahead of time.
2- My second goal for the summer is to develop/work on bettering the communication skills of my counseling staff team. Often, our staff is made up of high schoolers and young adults who don’t have much practice with learning to communicate well.
3- My third goal is about intentionally making more time for rest and God when it gets stressful this summer.
I ask that you consider supporting me through prayer this summer by praying for the following topics.
Prayer Requests:
-Energy sufficient for the day, as during the summer, days get busy and long.
-Health, as I often suffer from migraines.
-That I’m able to have the skills and understanding where my counseling staff have yet to learn.
-God shows me what He is teaching me through this new position and summer staff team.
-That I’m able to be fully funded by August 1st for my support goal of $3,500
The focus of my letter is to ask you to partner with me in this ministry opportunity. My position will involve a combination of a paid salary and raised support. This enables the camp to remain financially accessible to as many campers as possible. My support goal is to raise $3,500 by August 1st.
I ask you to partner with me in this and consider making a financial contribution towards this goal. I chose this goal to cover my day-to-day expenses such as gas, groceries, bills, etc., as well as to cover any unexpected expenses that somehow always pop up during the summer. Take your time to pray about it if you need to. I also ask for your support through prayer for our camp ministry and myself as we prepare for the camp season to start and regularly throughout the summer.
If you are able to be involved, please return the enclosed response card or give online at campoakhills.org. (All donations are tax deductible.)
I appreciate your time in considering this, your friendship, and your support.
Serving Jesus,
Lex Zylka
(218) 888-2606
James 3:17-18
“17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Online Donations
This link will allow you to donate securely online using a third-party website operated by Vanco Payment Solutions. You are given the option of making a one-time gift or setting a regular giving schedule using your credit card or automatic withdrawal from you bank account.
For help with online donations, please call Raschelle at Oak Hills Christian College – (218/888)-751-8670 ext. 1281
