July First Kidz

It’s summer!  School is out.  Students have finished another school year, and some have even graduated.  It has been a time of celebration and thankfulness for another year of sweet memories.  In May, we had AWANA awards, holidays, baby dedications, and graduations.  Then came the excitement of June and preteen camp!

On June 14th, the church building was filled with excited families as we loaded the buses to send 100 preteens and sponsors to East Texas Baptist Encampment.  It was a rainy week with lots of mud but also lots of sweet friendships.  Kids played in the rain, spent time doing crafts (inside) and attended amazing Bible studies and worship services.  When I think of camp this year, I think of relationships.  We slowed down, enjoyed the rain and spent time getting to know the kids, sponsors and area churches.  Kids heard the gospel, and many came to faith in Christ for the first time.  Other kids were challenged to grow in their faith and share Christ with their friends.  As I say every year, I love preteen camp!  Oh, and my sweet daughter got to ride the bus for the first time when we were able to get a bus with an ADA lift.  What precious memories were made this year!

Meals were shared together, and some kids caught their first fish at the lake (likely in the rain!).  Every year when we leave, my daughter says, “I miss camp” a hundred times, it seems.  This year was no different.   Of all the things I love about camp, the moments when a preteen accepts Christ mean the most.   I am so thankful for the impact camp has on lives.  Some of these kids will one day teach in their youth/children ministries, pastor a church, be missionaries, and, in countless other ways, share the gospel throughout their lives because they gave their life to Christ at camp.

Thank you for your continued support of our Children and Preteen ministries.

Coming up on July 31st, we will have KidzFest for all ages (a family event). Our preteen camp worship team, Frank Aragon and family, will lead worship. The gospel will be presented by Xtreme Obedience. A time of fellowship will be offered before and after and the silent disco is returning for our preteens!  See you at KidzFest!