By AFCU Directors Liesel, Rhett and Rebecca.
After an amazing week of Summer Camp, we’ve been speaking with some of the leaders about the transition of leadership from Adam and Ruth Pyrke to Barney and Amahlia Rex as House Parents.
We heard a plethora of glorious memories, from Mama and Papa P dressed as dinosaurs, to a digital COVID online camp, from dorm art to precious communion services. What stood out wasn’t simply appreciation for two leaders who have served faithfully for ten years. It was the overwhelming sense of gratitude for what God has done through SC, and the legacy of faith in people’s lives that has been built.
For over 100 years, camp has been a place to make friends, grow in confidence, discover community and encounter Jesus. It has become a place where young leaders emerge, faith is strengthened, and many find a sense of belonging that can sometimes be difficult to maintain amid the constant moving and other challenges of military life.
As one chapter closes and another begins, leaders were remarkably united in their reflections: the foundations are strong, the future is exciting, and God remains firmly at the centre of the story.
Building Something That Lasts
When leaders spoke about Adam and Ruth’s impact, they rarely focused on events (despite the examples above!); instead, they talked about the impact it’s had personally and on others around them. Over the last decade, Adam and Ruth have helped create a culture where individuals (campers and leaders alike) are encouraged to grow in their faith, serve and step into leadership. Many of today’s experienced camp leaders first found their confidence because someone believed in them, gave them an opportunity, and walked alongside them as they learned. As one leader reflected: “They had the courage to hand over responsibility and champion upcoming leaders.”
Adam and Ruth were much more than the organisers or decision-makers. They were encouragers, mentors, trusted friends, and at times even surrogate parents to young adults finding their way in leadership and faith. One leader said, “You always knew you would receive a smile from Adam and a hug from Ruth when you most needed it.”
Within the military community especially, where friendships can be interrupted by postings and life can often feel unsettled, creating a genuine sense of belonging is no small thing. Yet this was something leaders returned to repeatedly. One leader summed it up simply: “They always had your back. They made people feel safe.”
More Than a Leadership Transition
While much of the conversation centred on thanking Adam and Ruth, there was equal enthusiasm about the next chapter. Leaders spoke warmly about Barney and Amahlia and their readiness to step into the role of House Parents. Having been shaped by Summer Camp themselves, they bring a deep love for the ministry, a heart for discipleship and a desire to invest in others.
Those who know them describe them as thoughtful, approachable and spiritually mature. Just as importantly, they will be supported by a strong, experienced and united Top Team, a leadership legacy that Adam and Ruth have helped create.
This year’s camp offered a glimpse of that strength. Leaders highlighted the growing depth of the leadership community, the success of the Leadership Stream, and the valuable contribution of serving personnel, Issachites, and newer volunteers alike.
The Power of Faithful Service
No reflection on Summer Camp would be complete without recognising the many people who serve behind the scenes. This includes Gemma in the AFCU Office and the large team of AFCU intercessors led by Val Hall. Leaders repeatedly spoke about the difference it made knowing they were being prayed for.
The Story Continues
As we celebrate Adam and Ruth’s decade of faithful service, we do so with enormous gratitude for all they have poured into Summer Camp. Their leadership has shaped lives, strengthened faith and raised up a generation of leaders who are now serving others in turn.
At the same time, we look forward with confidence. Barney and Amahlia, supported by a gifted and united team, are stepping into a ministry built on strong foundations, faithful prayer and a clear sense of purpose. A new chapter is beginning, but the mission remains unchanged: helping young people encounter Jesus, grow in faith and find their place in God’s family.
To Adam and Ruth, thank you. And to Barney, Amahlia, the Top Team, serving leaders, prayer supporters and the wider AFCU Family, thank you for continuing the story.