Preteen Camp

Although the pre-teen ministry at FBC Beaumont is relatively new, it has continued to grow spiritually and numerically at an incredible pace. Fast forward to this summer. What started as a few children has now grown to 109 kids and adult sponsors preparing to board buses for pre-teen camp. As children load luggage and find seats, proud parents offer hugs and encourage their children to "behave, and to brush their teeth" (one can only hope)!

As a photographer and videographer observing from the sidelines, the incredible effect that this ministry has had on these kids is obvious. None of which would be possible without their parents and the dedicated team of volunteers who love these kids and the Lord. Pre-teens occupy a unique stage in their faith journeys as they continue to shape their identity in Christ. This is a formative time when they need not only to feel like they belong in the church but also to take ownership of their faith in Christ.

(Photos by Cat Sims)

At pre-teen camp, I had the profound privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact of faith and community on the lives of these young believers. Yes, these kids were silly! However, the silliness was more a punctuation within the stories of unfiltered faith, openness, authenticity, and understanding. Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”(Matthew 19:14). Many of these kids have grown up within Jesus-focused environments. They have memorized numerous verses in AWANA and actively participated in peer-led worship on Sundays. This was particularly evident at pre-teen camp, where they participated in times of Bible study and worship.

One of my key takeaways from this experience was the remarkable effort our sponsors and leaders made to meet these young students where they are in life. The Apostle Paul teaches, “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). This was lived out at camp as leaders walked alongside pre-teens in their moments of joy on the recreation field, offered encouragement within the dorms, and most importantly, guided them in their spiritual journeys through heartfelt prayers and meaningful conversations. Their willingness to eat dino-nuggets for lunch,  invest their time, and put aside personal comforts truly embodied the servant leadership that Paul speaks of.

Ultimately, this camp was more than just a half week of fun and games; it was an opportunity to plant seeds of faith and cultivate a sense of divine purpose. The lessons learned during this time of immersion in Christ will resonate within their hearts long after the camp has ended, empowering them to continue their faith journeys. Pre-teens may be young, but as both today's congregation and tomorrow's leaders, their potential to make a difference in God's Kingdom is still developing.