2000 Strong Youth for Christ, Book of Mormon Camp

Seventies Neil Simmons, Ron Smith and Rick Kohn were staff members at 2000 Strong Youth for Christ camp, held in Anna, TX, at the 400 acre YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp.  The 2013 camp theme was "Put on the armor or righteousness…shake off the chains by which ye are bound.” [2 Nephi 1:38, 39]

“2000 Strong Youth for Christ is a non-profit 501C3 organization dedicated to teaching the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to young people from all walks of life.  Everyone associated with 2000 Strong believes in the truth of the Book of Mormon and Holy Bible as witnesses of the divinity of Jesus Christ…” 

Camp Staff

The camp focuses on worship, scriptural study, fellowship, physical activities and just plain ordinary clean fun.

With a common platform of the Book of Mormon, the camp attracts youth from many of the restoration groups including: Community of Christ, Latter Day Saint, Restoration Branches, and, youth who may not yet be affiliated with any restoration movement or, are in spiritually divided households. 

Patriarch Fred Greene (Camp Pastor)

taught Book of Mormon classes to the Jr High group while Neil Simmons simultaneously taught six classes and shared many inspiring testimonies to the other age groups and staff. 

Neil’s classes were well attended by up to 43 participants per class.  Ron Smith, who traveled to camp with his granddaughter, provided musical ministry as he strummed his guitar at campfires and the talent show. 

Rick Kohn provided counseling to several youth and gave an interactive presentation on Saturday evening which included a time for testimony on the subject of the presentation entitled “Does God still speak to us today?”  He shared many of his personal examples with emphasis on the need to be “tuned to the right channel, in order to hear Him speak.”  Nearly 75 adults and youth heard the message given just before the talent show and photo slideshow of the week at camp.  Camp closed on Sunday morning following the inspirational dedication service presided over by Fred Greene.

Seventy Rick Kohn felt spirit led to participate in this camp, as part of his domestic missionary calling, following a 2008 meeting in Grapevine, TX with several of the organizations board members. 

He received confirmation to engage in this ministry while at the General Conference in April, 2013 during a conversation with Chris Taylor, the camp director.  The insight given is our need to nurture the youth and expand the availability of this camp experience to many more in the restoration.  Perhaps through regionalization at like facilities. 

In his closing remarks, Br Kohn told the group:  “The youth are the lifeblood of the church.  It is you who must take on this charge.  It is you who must shoulder the yoke.”   This statement followed the sharing of message * received by Br Kohn and his understanding of its broader applicability.  Br Kohn explained in part: “…we must build bridges between all of the fractions.  We must become unified.  We must set aside our doctrinal differences, stop quibbling and focus on Jesus Christ.  Then, we can move forward as the body of Christ.  Then, and only then, will we achieve Zion and the Kingdom.”

2013 Campers

* You (the Seventy) must cease being judgmental.  You must stand in their shoes.  Forgive and welcome with open arms, least you cannot be MY true servant(s.)  November 6, 2009; 4:45pm.