Most of us remember Kirk Cameron and his beautiful wife Chelsea Noble Cameron from the hit television series “Growing Pains”. Kirk played the role of Mike Seaver on the award-winning sitcom and met Chelsea when she joined the cast to play his girlfriend.
The couple were married in 1991 and now reside in Agoura, California with their six children, four of whom are adopted; Jack, Isabella, Anna, Luke, Olivia and James. Chelsea and her older brother were both adopted and she and Kirk always wanted a large family. After discussing her desire to adopt they began with one child per year until Chelsea became pregnant with the two youngest of the flock, two years apart. After fifteen years of marriage and parenting six children all under the age of ten, Kirk lovingly declares, “Faith in God is the anchor for our marriage and the glue that holds us all together".

What I find extraordinary about Kirk and Chelsea is that even though they both continue to act, produce, and devote themselves whole-heartedly to each other and their children, they give back in various ways to hundreds of other people. The couple formed Camp Firefly, a one-of-a-kind camp for seriously ill children and their families. In addition, Kirk is heavily involved with The Way of the Master Ministry and Chelsea holds classes for young mothers in their home that focus on how to shepherd (or guide) your child's heart. What's more, through their production company Insights Entertainment the couple are currently producing a library of DVD's and workbooks as a resource for parents. While working on the set of Growing Pains, Kirk and Chelsea encountered sick children through the Make A Wish and Starlight Foundations. They both realized the impact of illness not just on the child but also on the parents and the siblings, and wanted to do something further, for this reason they created Camp Firefly. The summer camp is located in the beautiful green mountains of South Georgia. Seven families are invited annually to participate in this wonderfully unique experience. It is an all- expense-paid, week-long retreat, where families can get away from the stress of hospitals, medical treatments, and financial worries. They spend quality time with each other, and meet other families who understand what they're going through. Each family stays in their own private cottage nestled beneath the pine and magnolia trees that blanket this family resort.

With the aid of doctors and social workers from various hospitals, a list of families are submitted to them every year. The families do not know they are being considered so no one is disappointed if they are not selected. “We put a lot of prayer and thought into which child and family has an immediate need for this magical and rejuvenating experience before we make a decision,” explains Chelsea.

She exudes heartfelt enthusiasm as she continues to describe what Camp Firefly is all about, “A sick child can just be a kid and have fun. The family has the opportunity to reconnect and heal. The miracles that go on are amazing! Each day is filled with different activities for the entire family. We ride horses, go biking and fishing. During the nights, we take a ferry-boat ride, square-dance at a country jamboree and we always provide enough time at the end of the day to just sit under the stars and talk or sing songs.” Careful consideration is given to the needs of every family member (not just the sick child). Camp Firefly is about families. It's about making new friends.

The University of Florida send their water-ski team to teach water-skiing and a trapeze team for a private evening at the circus in which the children have the opportunity to partake.
One afternoon the Moms are all whisked away into town for complete makeovers and then returned to their husbands for a surprise romantic dinner for each couple at different restaurants while Kirk and Chelsea have a big party for all the kids.

Chelsea says “I've seen the fathers break down and cry when they see their wives after coming back from their makeover. The families have been so consumed with their child's illness that they don't have the time for each other. It takes a huge toll on every member of the family.”
And yes, there is even a reunion day, when families from the past summer camps return and exhibit their love and support. The families develop a strong bond with each other, and are eager to be supportive to one another. They attend memorial services if a child passes away.
“They give each other strength,” adds Chelsea.

The Cameron children love the intimate family practice of being able to share in the experience of Camp Firefly. “Giving from their hearts and having compassion for the children at Camp Firefly makes them appreciate the gift of life and the blessings of good health. They learn to value just how special this time is, and be grateful for the opportunity to live for the things that are important … and it is contagious to Kirk and I. I come home feeling like the most blessed girl in the world and appreciate every minute with my children and how I choose to Mother” exclaims Chelsea.
What do they do for themselves, one might ask, but I immediately recognize that through Camp Firefly the gift belongs to the giver.

Originally the camp program was held twice a year in the summer, but that was altered when they became too overwhelmed with their own six children. Now that all of the Cameron children are finally out of diapers, (after a 10-year stretch), they are hoping to return once again to hosting twice a year. For more information you can visit their website www.campfirefly.com.
In 1991, Kirk and his close friend, evangelist Ray Comfort, formed The Way Of The Master Ministry that teaches Christians how to share the hard-core message of the gospel. Three years ago they started producing and hosting a spiritually based, reality television program entitled The Way of the Master (www.thewayofthemaster.com). It airs on 16 different networks in 70 different countries and has won the national Religious Broadcasters “Best Program of the Year” award two years in a row. Furthermore, the original program won 1st place for “The People's Choice” award two years in a row. Kirk admits that the money and the visibility may not be what it is on prime-time television, but he is doing what he feels passionate about and feels it has a positive impact on the lives of others.

When asked if he feels he has a calling or purpose in life, the once staunch atheist replies in a gentle voice “That is a pretty deep question … let me think a minute.” He continues “ Being a father of six children has required a huge amount of growth, development and integrity in order to lead them. In addition, learning to be the kind of husband to my wife that she deserves is important. I know one thing for certain, ten out of ten people die, and I feel God reached inside my self-centered exterior shell and transformed me from the inside out. I guess what I am saying is that I feel it was important for me to go into the world and share my personal experience.” Cameron admits that at the height of his success as a young actor, he realized that something was missing from his life. He shares his personal journey through The Way of The Master Ministry, the television show and newsletters. He fervently states “People are designed to have God in their lives”.

Kirk is currently reprising his lead role as “Buck” Williams in the third “Left Behind” Christian-based film following Sony’s Left Behind: World War III which was a sequel to the apocalyptic thriller Left Behind: Tribulation Force, based on the New York Times best-selling novel. This also gives he and Chelsea the opportunity to work together again as she also stars in the film.

In a recent Way of the Master Newsletter I read about the “Way of Kirk”, so to speak, in putting his children up to talking his wife into letting them have a chicken coup and a litter of baby chicks. I asked her if she was ever a little suspicious when these types of things pop up and the children have taken a sudden interest in something out of the blue? Chelsea laughs and replies “He (Kirk) thinks I am oblivious … but I am so on to him!”

The couple maintains a playful relationship with each other and their children. However, the values they teach their children are taken very seriously and the classes on “How to Sheperd Your Child’s Heart” in which Chelsea hosts for other mother’s, provides her the opportunity and important task of sharing her own experience in truly getting to the heart of the matter. Mothers learn how to penetrate the heart of their children without focusing solely on behavior, in turn, raising their awareness and appreciation of all the gifts in their lives. Chelsea says “Using truth and knowledge that will help guide children for life also opens a mothers eyes to the many blessings of motherhood”.
Parenting is a huge investment and it is in this significant role that we can show that charity begins in the home.

The Cameron’s are a very active and participating family. Clearly, they aim to make a difference. The world gains a gift with people like Kirk and Chelsea Cameron. They are givers and their gift has become our gift.