Hi everyone! My name is Patricia Cardeno and I am a youth leader from WIN-LA. Fun Fact: I’ve been to every single Soul Anchor Camp since 2012 so I guess you could consider me a seasoned veteran~ Looking back at my first couple of years at camp, I clearly remember how timid and harsh I was towards myself. Even though I grew up in an environment where my family and church community surrounded me with so much love, I spent a long time trying to comprehend the correlation between salvation and God’s love for us. 

To me, Soul Anchor is the place where I found the answers to my questions. It’s the place where I transformed. It’s a place where I can build upon this firm foundation that God has set me upon. It’s a place that reminds me of who Jesus Christ is in my life. It’s a place where I learned how to put my full trust in the Lord. It’s a place where my faith gets refined through the workshops and fruitful discussions I have with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s a place where I can find solace in the Holy Spirit’s overwhelming presence. It’s a place where God taught me to take this burdened heart of mine and surrender it all to Him. It’s the place where I finally understood His love is ever-changing. At this place, he never fails to take my empty cup and pour His overflowing, unconditional love and mercy onto me. 

The thought of camp may leave you feeling excited, nervous, anxious, uncomfortable, worried, or disinterested. Initially, I thought running far away from the truth that I knew would set me free would suffice. The truth is this: It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, the Lord is on a never-ending marathon after your own heart. He longs to run this race with you. Regardless of how you feel, I hope and pray that this year’s Soul Anchor would stir up a desire to run after the One who has set you free. 

Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) 

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”