Why Summer Games?

SGU Vision

Summer Games University is a Christian Camping Experience designed to help youth and older elementary students begin and develop an active and life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Summer Games University is an experience where biblical events and practices are shown through creative experiences such as prayers with the laying on of hands, invitational opportunities to receive Christ as Lord and Savior, foot washing service, a crucifixion pageant, etc. Centered on these experiential worship services, biblical pastoral teaching and the leadership provided by a staff of volunteers, Summer Games University charges youth to live lives based on the Great Commission of Jesus Christ:

¹⁸Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)

Summer Games History

The vision of Summer Games began in the late 70’s when Rev. Stan Wierson, then Associate Pastor of 1st UMC in Newton, got together with a coach at Newton High School named Clyde Wiley. Coach Wiley had just returned home from a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp in Estes Park Colorado. The two were inspired by the Holy Spirit to begin a similar experience here in Iowa. It launched with a handful of students in 1979 at Camp Wesley Woods in Indianola, Iowa. Over the years it grew to minister to well over a thousand students ever year with multiple camps scattered across the state of Iowa, Georgia, Michigan, and Colorado. In 2004 Summer Games transformed into Summer Games University (SGU). The SGU experience was consolidated and transposed from a typical camp environment to the College Campus, first at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, and then to Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, where it meets today.