Experiencing God’s Work at Camp Compass: A Winter Weekend in the North
In February 2026, despite the biting –40°C temperatures, God moved in incredible ways at our first-ever Winter Camp at Camp Compass. Fifty-two campers arrived from nine different churches across the Northwest Territories—and even a family travelled all the way from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut—to participate in what would become a life-changing weekend of fellowship, worship, and spiritual growth.
Launching a mid-year camp in the North was both a challenge and a necessity. For years, our summer camps have brought life, energy, and discipleship to campers from communities with limited access to youth ministry. Yet sending them home after summer, back to towns and hamlets that often have no active pastor—or in some cases, no church at all—has always weighed heavily on our hearts. The reality is stark: many communities in the North face a spiritual vacuum. Young people return home spiritually fueled but with no shepherds to guide them, leaving them vulnerable to the pressures and distractions of life without a strong spiritual foundation. Sheep without shepherds is not just a metaphor here—it’s a reality.
Our goal in hosting a winter camp was twofold: to keep campers spiritually nourished and connected, and to begin raising up local northern leaders who will carry this ministry forward. Watching friendships rekindle, seeing returning campers teach new campers the culture of Camp Compass, and witnessing older students take on mentoring roles was inspiring. The sense of family and community that unfolded over the weekend showed us the deep impact that consistent, ongoing ministry can have in the North.
Why Mid-Year Connection Matters
It’s one thing to pour into campers during the summer months. It’s another to create a rhythm of ongoing spiritual connection that carries them through the long northern winters. Our Winter Weekend was designed to bridge that gap—to remind young people that they are not alone, that their faith matters, and that God’s family is larger than their hometown.
As campers reunited, laughter and excitement filled the lodge. Friendships formed in the summer months were reignited, and older campers became mentors, guiding newer campers through the rhythms and traditions of Camp Compass. This mentorship is not just about fun and games—it’s about teaching responsibility, care, and leadership through lived example. Every snowball fight, every cabin chat, every team competition was an opportunity for spiritual growth, connection, and discipleship.
Developing Leaders in the North
Camp is, in many ways, the ultimate training ground for leaders. It is a place where young people step into real responsibility within a safe and structured environment. At Camp Compass, leadership is not theoretical—it’s practical, hands-on, and immediate. Each cabin leader is tasked with caring for 12 campers: building team chemistry, noticing who feels left out, encouraging engagement, leading devotional conversations, ministering in prayer, and creating authentic community. These are life lessons that shape character, faith, and leadership skills.
This winter, we saw 27 local leaders step into these roles with courage, dedication, and faith. They gave a weekend of their lives, investing their energy, wisdom, and hearts into campers. The results were undeniable: campers felt seen, cared for, and loved; spiritual breakthroughs happened; and new leaders discovered their calling in ministry. These young leaders are the future of the Church in the Northwest Territories.
Life Transformation at Work
The most remarkable moments of the weekend were the ways God moved in campers’ lives. We witnessed:
Several campers commit their lives to Jesus for the very first time.
Campers were activated to speak words of encouragement and blessing over one another.
Nine individuals sense a call to ministry and raise their hands to respond.
Campers come forward to be prayed for, seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Powerful moments of honesty, confession, and emotional breakthrough.
God brings freedom from anxiety, fear, and even the chains of addiction.
Moments like these are why we do what we do. Camp ministry—time set apart, free from the distractions of everyday life, surrounded by strong leaders and empowered by the Holy Spirit—always results in transformation. The Winter Weekend proved that even in the harsh conditions of the North, God’s Spirit moves powerfully and changes lives.
A Growing Hunger for Spiritual Formation
The response from both campers and parents has been overwhelming. Families see the change in their children and are hungry for more. Camp Compass is no longer just a summer ministry—it is a lifeline, a spiritual anchor, and a source of hope. Next summer, we anticipate that our camper numbers could more than double as this growing hunger continues.
We are also preparing to welcome five teams from Alberta this summer, broadening the reach of our ministry across the Territories. This is not just about increasing attendance; it is about equipping the next generation of leaders, fostering long-term discipleship, and expanding the Kingdom of God in communities where hope is often scarce.
The Role of Prayer and Partnership
None of this would have been possible without prayer and support from our partners. Your faithfulness has helped make Camp Compass a place where young people encounter God in profound and lasting ways. As you read this, I want to invite you to continue walking alongside us through prayer and investment:
Pray for the campers who made commitments during the Winter Weekend, that their faith would continue to grow when they return home.
Pray for the 27 local leaders who stepped up to mentor and guide others, that God would strengthen and equip them for the work ahead.
Pray for communities across the Northwest Territories, where access to ministry is limited, that God would send labourers and raise up shepherds for these young people.
Pray for the upcoming summer camps, that God would use them to multiply life transformation and reach even more hearts.
Your partnership is not just financial—it’s spiritual. Every prayer, every gift, and every act of support strengthens the ministry, touches lives, and expands God’s Kingdom. You are joining us in bringing hope, leadership development, and discipleship to regions where the Church is often underrepresented.
Why Ministry in the North Matters
Ministry in the Northwest Territories is not easy. Harsh climates, remote communities, and a lack of local resources make the work challenging. Yet it is also one of the most rewarding ministries you can do. Young people in these communities are eager for spiritual guidance, mentorship, and authentic Christian community. They are waiting for leaders who will invest in them, guide them, and walk alongside them in their faith journey.
Winter Camp reminded us that when God’s people unite in prayer, generosity, and service, the impossible becomes possible. Despite temperatures that would freeze most plans, God brought people together, transformed lives, and ignited a passion for His Kingdom.
Join Us in Building the Church in the North
As we look ahead, the vision for Camp Compass continues to grow. We see a future where every young person in the North has access to ministry, mentorship, and discipleship. We see local leaders rising up to shepherd their communities. And we see families strengthened, communities transformed, and the Kingdom of God expanding in places where hope has been scarce.
You can be part of this movement. Your prayers, your encouragement, and your investment enable Camp Compass to continue making a tangible difference in the lives of young people and leaders across the Northwest Territories. Together, we can ensure that the Church not only survives in these remote regions but thrives, impacting generations to come.
Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing that God can and will move in the North. Thank you for being part of a ministry that changes lives, equips leaders, and spreads the love of Jesus to the farthest reaches of the Territories.
We cannot wait to see what God will do this summer as we welcome more campers, train more leaders, and witness the ongoing transformation of hearts and lives. Your prayers and partnership make this possible—and for that, we are deeply grateful.
James and Karina Clarence pastored in Calgary, AB, at First Assembly Church for 11 years. They have two daughters, Kendrick and Lennon and are welcoming a son to their family this fall.
Now, they join the Cornerstone Team in Yellowknife, NT, as the Lead Pastors. They believe with all their hearts that God has a plan for the church in Canada & they’ve given their life to see a move of God come again to our nation.