Kids and Teens Experience Healing through Ascend | Summer 2025

One facet of our Care & Recovery ministry is a summer program called Ascend—a camp for kids and teens who have experienced the divorce of their parents, have lost a loved one, or have a sibling with disabilities. This week-long program gives children an opportunity to discuss their common experiences, learn what God says about these challenges, practice healthy coping skills, and connect with each other and their leaders through fun games and activities!

Ascend is hosted at our Powdersville and Pelham campuses and is open to the community. This summer, we had nearly 100 kids attend who are experiencing various forms of grief and hardship. With the sacrificial time of over 60 amazing leaders and volunteers, children were reminded that despite the brokenness of our world today, the truth of the gospel offers us hope.

Check out the video below to learn more about this summer’s camp experience!

Mandy Reames shared this about her experience as both a parent and a volunteer:

Volunteering at Ascend Camp this summer was such a meaningful experience—as a mom of two campers and a son in the Mosaic program, it was powerful to listen to the kids in my class share their hearts and challenges. It was a gift to give them space to open up, and even more beautiful to watch them let go, laugh, and just be kids.

Navigating difficult seasons and ongoing challenges can be painful no matter how old you are. It is a blessing to be able to offer a safe place for kids to process challenges in community, and also to serve and support families who are not necessarily connected to Grace Church. Robert Hall, one of our volunteers from the Pelham campus, reflects:

It's really neat to see how God created space for me to be a part of Ascend Camp and to enjoy a group of kids who were learning, sharing, and having so much fun every day.

Will you join us in thanking God for all the growth and healing we saw through Ascend Camp this summer? To learn more about support for divorce, grief, and more, visit our Care & Recovery page by clicking below.