Serving Together as a Family: How Camp Hope Strengthened the Munna Family's Faith

When Melissa Munna first heard about the opportunity to serve at Kidz2Leaders' Camp Hope, she didn’t have any plans to volunteer. However, when a friend mentioned she was planning to serve; Melissa prayed about it, and the timing unexpectedly fell into place. 

"It was one of those moments where I just knew God was opening the door," she said. "So I said, 'I'm all in.'" 

That simple "yes" led to a week that impacted not only the children she served, but also her own family. 

Melissa and her husband, Greg, have three boys — Ethan (14), Luke (11), and Nathan (9) — and serving together has become a defining part of their family's discipleship. With their small group, they often participate in local serving opportunities through Mt. Bethel’s missions partners in Atlanta. Since Ethan was already committed to another camp this summer, Luke and Nathan attended Camp Hope alongside their mom as part of the volunteer family program. 

"I love that Mt. Bethel provides opportunities for families to serve together," Melissa said. "It's become part of who we are." 

A Family Says "Yes" to Serving at Camp Hope 

Camp Hope, a ministry of Kidz2Leaders, serves children impacted by parental incarceration. Throughout the week , campers experience everything you'd expect from summer camp — canoeing, crafts, games, fishing, worship, and Bible teaching — all while hearing the hope of the gospel in an environment where they are deeply known and loved. 

For Melissa, seeing the ministry up close gave her a greater appreciation for its mission. 

"I knew Kidz2Leader before because of things like Hope for Christmas*” but being there all week helped me understand what they really do," she said. "They're helping break the cycle of generational incarceration by sharing Jesus with these children and walking alongside their families. I just fell in love with the ministry." 

Melissa served as an adult cabin leader for six elementary-aged girls. At first, stepping into that role felt intimidating. 

"You hear these kids have experienced trauma, and you wonder if you're equipped," she admitted. "But if the Lord is calling you to go, you'll be fine. The ministry is incredibly supportive, and God equips you." 

Watching God Transform Young Hearts 

That truth became evident throughout the week. 

Two girls in Melissa's cabin placed their faith in Christ. 

One of them had come to camp carrying obvious emotional wounds. Early in the week, she frequently lashed out at the other girls with harsh words and difficult behavior. 

"I was praying for her every day," Melissa said. "As the week went on, I started seeing little changes. She began showing kindness. Her heart softened. It wasn't perfect — we're all a work in progress — but I could see God working." 

By the end of the week, she was one of the girls who decided to follow Jesus. 

Another camper shared something Melissa says she'll never forget. 

"She said, 'I knew who Jesus was, but I never knew I could have a relationship with Him.'" 

For Melissa, that moment captured the entire purpose of Camp Hope. 

"To know that she came to camp and discovered she could personally know Jesus — that's incredible." 

Growing Faith by Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone 

God wasn't only working in the campers; He was also shaping Melissa's own faith. 

Many conversations stretched her beyond anything she'd previously experienced as a parent. Some children shared stories of pain and trauma no child should have to endure. 

"I realized I wasn't doing it in my own strength," she said. "The Holy Spirit was giving me the words to say. Maybe they weren't perfect, but God was with me. That's such a faith builder. When you step out in obedience, God shows up." 

Her sons experienced their own lessons as well. 

Before camp, Melissa hoped her sons would learn a simple but profound truth: every child is made in the image of God, no matter what circumstances they come from. 

“I wanted them to see that these kids are just like them,” she said. “They like to play. They need friends. They need Jesus. We all have the same need.” 

On the drive home, one of her boys talked about the friends he had made at camp. He noticed that their lives looked very different from his own, yet they shared many of the same joys, struggles, and questions about faith. Listening to him process the week was confirmation to Melissa that “he got it.” 

Why Serving Together Strengthens Family Discipleship 

Because Melissa experienced camp alongside her children, those conversations didn't end when they got home. 

"If you just send your kids to camp, you ask, 'What did you do?' and you get one-word answers," she laughed. But when you've served together, she observed, parents know exactly what their kids learned and can ask specific questions. It’s helped her as a mom keep the conversation going and has become part of how she’s discipling her kids. 

That, she believes, is one of the greatest gifts of serving together as a family. 

"You share the experience, and then you bring it home. It creates opportunities to talk about what God taught you, what you saw, and how you can continue living it out." 

Melissa says modeling a life of service has become one of the most important ways she and Greg disciple their sons. 

"Anytime you take the focus off yourself and put it on others, that's a blessing," she said. "We want our boys to see that. We want serving to become part of what our family does, not something we have to convince them to do." 

Looking back, she's thankful that serving has become something her children genuinely love. 

"They want to be here. They want to serve. They love going on mission trips. That's all glory to God." 

One "Yes" Can Change a Family Forever 

Melissa hopes more families will say yes to opportunities like Camp Hope, even if they feel uncertain. 

"I think a lot of people believe they aren't enough," she said. "The truth is, God is enough. If He's calling you, He'll equip you." 

Looking back, Melissa says every mission opportunity her family has embraced — including Camp Hope and Mt. Bethel's family mission trip to Costa Rica earlier in the year — has required stepping outside their comfort zone. 

She's never regretted it. 

"Fear will always try to tell you not to go," she said. "But if you sense God leading you, just say yes. Don't overthink it. God works out the details." 

Sometimes that "yes" changes the life of a child; sometimes it changes your own. 

And sometimes, as the Munna family discovered, God uses one week of serving together to shape an entire family's faith for years to come. 

Ready to take your next step on mission? Visit mtbethel.org/missions or email missions@mtbethel.org to learn more about upcoming mission trips and serving opportunities for your family!