If one could spy on the campers and staff who gather for a weekend each fall for the Joy In Jesus retreat, it would be obvious that the name fits perfectly. As the retreat shares the gospel with people who have developmental disabilities, the songs, the smiles, and the hugs are telltale signs of the joy in Jesus that is cultivated there.

“The greatest joy lies in knowing that the Holy Spirit has touched the campers’ hearts and that these Christian brothers and sisters have the same sure hope of heaven as I do,” shares Juli Liewergen, a Martin Luther College (MLC) student who volunteers for the retreat.

The retreat—a joint effort of the Minnesota District Special Ministries and Jesus Cares Ministries (JCM), a ministry of The Lutheran Home Association, Belle Plaine, Minn.—runs for two weekends each fall. Locations near Waterville and Spicer, Minn., provide the settings for hiking, golf cart rides, Bible stories, crafts, devotions at the campfire, singing, and games. “It is hard to restore your spirit while surrounded by your daily people, places, and responsibilities,” reflects Julie Luetke, camp director for the Spicer retreat. “Jesus took his disciples away for days to restore body and spirit. Camp does much the same thing. Campers study God’s Word and escape their daily routines. People who do not drive or have the ability to ‘take off’ need volunteers to make this happen. A mini vacation is good for everyone.”

Both weekend retreats rent facilities with full-time staff and food service. The program is staffed with a few JCM workers and a strong core of volunteers —including nurses as well as students from MLC and Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn. Luetke assigns duties according to their gifts and matches up staff members with campers.

“It is each volunteer’s privilege to get to know his or her campers and become a friend for the weekend,” says Liewergen. “You play, eat, and bunk together.” As the music director this fall, Liewergen also learned that “music is so important at camp because it allows every camper to participate and teaches them a way to share their Savior with others.”

Most of the campers come from Jesus Cares Ministries around Minnesota. Some bring friends who may not be Christian, but “everyone gets a good dose of law and gospel,” says Luetke.

MLC volunteer John Schleis shares, “I felt so privileged to tell campers about their Savior and mine.” Schleis also notes how remarkable it was to see campers proclaim their faith openly and constantly.