Besides offering quality summer camp and year-round retreats, Ingham Okoboji is committed to encouraging campers of all ages to continue growing in faith BEYOND their time at our youth and family programming. As a part of IOLBC Beyond Ministries, this site is designed to offer engaging content and ministry resources for all.

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ~Matthew 2:1-2 It’s the 26th of December. Christmas is over and done. At least, for most people it is. But for Christians, it is actually just begun. It’s actually just the 2nd of twelve days of Christmas. Why? Because Christmas i

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14 The streets are empty. Some Christmas lights are off now. Others still glow in the darkness, an extension of the stars frozen in the night sky. For some, Christmas is now over, even though the holiday is barely an hour old. I am spent, but a good spent. The 11 pm Christmas Eve service just finished not long ago. The string quartet’s instruments are packed in their fur-lined cases and o

JOY! But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 My wife and I each purchased one of these word signs a few years ago from a local Christian bookstore that is battery operated and lights up. Hers said, “Joy.” Mine said, “Hope.” Mine was the last of its kind in the store. So, if nothing else, I knew when I walked out with my purchase, all hope was gone (rim shot please!) But what about joy? Is al

LOVE > HATE / FEAR “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 What is love? Is it an emotion? A feeling? Is it something than can be grasped or held? Or is love something more? I feel like love is a concept which has been talked about for eons and yet many people still ask questions. My goal isn’t to regurgitate what many have said but to offer a different pers