Pioneering Camp Compass in the North
Pioneering Camp Compass in the North
The first two weeks of July marked a historic moment for us in the North. Together with PSAM, our District Team, and three incredible churches from Alberta—Journey Church, North Pointe, and First Assembly—we ventured into something brand new: launching a Spirit-filled, missions-minded, evangelistic, leader-raising, revival-sparking camp right here in the Northwest Territories.
Anyone who has pioneered something knows it isn’t easy. It’s messy. It’s unpredictable. It’s filled with obstacles you don’t see coming until they’re standing right in front of you. Pioneering in the North is all of that—and more. And yet, it is in the wrestling, the persevering, and the sheer reliance on God that miracles are birthed. That’s exactly what we experienced.
A Battle for the Region
On Sunday, July 6, the First Assembly team was set and ready to roll. The revival tent was pitched. Bunk beds were built. Generators filled. Groceries stocked. The sound system was set up. We were ready for campers to arrive.
Then came the news: because of raging forest fires, the only road to Mission Island—our camp location—was closed. The problem? Campers were already en route.
This wasn’t just a logistical challenge. Fort Resolution, where the camp was to be held, carries deep spiritual weight. It’s the first settlement where all treaties in the NWT were signed. Mission Island itself is the very place where the first Residential School was established. We knew we were stepping onto contested ground. And let me tell you—we felt the battle.
Over the course of the week, we faced obstacle after obstacle. A bear roamed the property. The town ran out of gas because of the road closure. The grocery store cooler—where our food was stored—broke down. Sewage backed up. And to top it off, swarms of black flies attacked relentlessly, biting chunks of skin out of our bodies.
Everywhere we turned, we were hit with setbacks that made us ask: Is this even possible? Should we keep going?
God’s Way, Not Ours
But here’s the thing about kingdom work—when God has set His hand on something, no obstacle can stop it.
Our team’s attitude was remarkable. With flexibility, faith, and a lot of problem-solving, we adjusted. When the road reopened, we met up with the campers who had been stranded in Hay River and moved camp into the Hay River Chapel instead. Everything—supplies, staff, students—was shifted and improvised.
The result? God moved in power. Camp happened. Lives were transformed.
Speaking personally, I (James, writing this) have never faced so much natural resistance paired with such intense spiritual warfare. Fear, doubt, nightmares, stress—it came in waves. But God’s grace and wisdom carried us through. And what the enemy meant for harm, God turned into something greater than we could have imagined.
From Rebellion to Revival
We were working with youth from some of the most broken situations you could imagine. Many came through social workers, carrying trauma and distrust. On day one, students were swearing at us, refusing to listen, pushing back at every turn.
But by the end of the week, the atmosphere had shifted completely. Those same young people were weeping at the altar, encountering the healing love of Jesus. Hardened hearts were softened. Walls came down. Chains broke.
A couple of weeks later, I visited one of their homes in a nearby community. To my surprise, they greeted me with huge smiles and said, “We want to come next year!” Considering that much of the camp they wanted to run away (and tried), this was nothing short of a miracle. God had touched their lives in ways no one could deny.
Unity Commands a Blessing
Psalm 133 reminds us that when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity, there is a commanded blessing. That’s exactly what we saw.
Three Alberta churches raised funds, collaborated, and partnered with PSAM churches in the North. Together, we became an unstoppable force for the kingdom. The partnerships broke into spiritual strongholds, pushed back darkness, and released hope in one of the hardest-to-reach regions of our nation.
And the good news? This is only the beginning.
The Wells Are Opening
We believe God is uncapping the ancient wells of prayer in the North. Generations of faithful saints have prayed for revival here, and we’re beginning to see the fruit of their intercession. God’s eyes are on the North—not just for the North, but for the sake of the nation.
Through kingdom partnership, Spirit-led courage, and a renewed missionary spirit in the next generation, we believe we’ll see awakening spread, revival break out, and the light of Christ shine in the darkness in a way that cannot be extinguished.
ABNWT District of The PAOC, it’s go time. God is moving. The only question is: will we say yes?
Check out this video from Pastor Jessica Sanchez, who tells the story in a way that captures the heart better than words ever could.
Thank you for reading, praying, and standing with us. This is just the beginning.
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.